Video & Transcript Research : 'TOPS Tech Award'

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HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

CPC Info Briefing - Wed Dec 3, 2025 @ 10:00 AM HST

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • that's very common is tech tech scams. that's very common is tech tech scams. you'll<00:32:59.039
  • Um, mentioned the top scams that we see.
  • Um, the top scan, scary about this.
  • Um mentioned the top scams that we see. Um mentioned the top scams that we see.
  • This is probably our Um, tech support.
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The committee held an informational briefing on fraud in the community, with presenters from ARP, CoinFlip, HPD, the Hawaii Bankers Association, DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection, and the Department of Law Enforcement. The chair described widespread scams targeting kupuna and other residents, including impersonation of grandchildren, lottery/inheritance schemes, romance scams, online shopping fraud, investment scams, and tech-support scams. Members emphasized the emotional manipulation used by scammers, the difficulty of getting victims to report losses, and the need to educate the public on warning signs and available resources. ARP said scams are an epidemic and highlighted national data showing major losses among older adults, including $4.8 billion lost by people age 60 and over in 2024. ARP focused especially on cryptocurrency kiosks as a growing scam channel in Hawaii, citing 64 complaints totaling $922,000 in 2024 and noting that complaints nearly doubled from the prior year. ARP urged stronger safeguards such as limits on transactions, refunds, live customer support, and a law-enforcement contact for operators, and said its Fraud Watch Network can help victims freeze credit, identify next steps, and track current scams. The chair said he intends to introduce legislation to lower and ultimately eliminate the amount of Bitcoin that can be purchased through ATMs. CoinFlip said it supports consumer-protection regulation and described its compliance practices, including scam warning screens, anti-money-laundering controls, blockchain analytics, wallet pinning, transaction monitoring, and cooperation with law enforcement. The company said it is registered as a money services business, files suspicious activity and currency transaction reports, and holds money transmitter licenses in many jurisdictions. It also pointed to Illinois-style refund protections for new users and said it refunds fees to scam victims, though not the underlying funds. In response to committee questions, members and the company discussed whether crypto kiosks are necessary, how scams can be traced, and whether banks and kiosks can better intervene when suspicious activity is detected.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 04/08/25

Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:
  • And at the top of this document, the top half of this document is a chart.
  • It's these multi-billion dollar tech giants.
  • It's these multi-billion dollar tech giants.
  • Minnesota, that won't matter to tech Minnesota, that won't matter to tech bros<01:48:53.040>
  • is damaged, Jeff Bezos and other tech is damaged, Jeff Bezos and other tech billionaires<01:49:11.600
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • We appreciate that this bill recognizes that teaching students the limitations of new tech is just as
  • It’s become a top 50 public university.
  • The vision for FIU is to be a top 30 public university.
  • I'm a lifelong tech entrepreneur. I've started several companies.
  • We need to build Florida as the E-Tech Center and take over from Texas or California, move everything
Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education convened with a quorum and first took up CS for SB 1694 on technology education. The bill would require technology-integrated postsecondary general education core courses to include digital literacy and competency instruction, including use of artificial intelligence tools, and would encourage high school computer science courses that include AI to teach how AI systems use data, their benefits and limitations, and responsible use in academic and personal settings. The bill sponsor and several supporters emphasized preparing students for an AI-driven workforce while teaching critical evaluation and ethical use; one speaker raised concerns about overreliance on AI and the need to preserve real-world skills. Senator Davis supported the measure and suggested introducing similar instruction earlier, possibly in middle school. The committee voted the bill favorably, with Senator Leak later recorded in the affirmative. The committee then heard a large block of confirmations for higher education boards, including appointees to Tallahassee State College, the University of South Florida, the University of North Florida, Palm Beach State College, the College of the Florida Keys, Hillsborough College, Miami-Dade College, Florida A&M University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, New College of Florida, Florida Polytechnic University, and the University of Florida. The appointees generally highlighted backgrounds in education, health care, law, business, technology, and public service, and described priorities such as student success, workforce alignment, affordability, fiscal responsibility, and institutional growth. One nominee to Tallahassee State College was asked about low NCLEX pass rates and said the college had a plan approved by the Florida Board of Nursing. Another nominee discussed Florida Poly’s STEM mission, and several members praised the nominees’ community ties and professional experience. After hearing the appointees, the committee voted to report the block of confirmations favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee. The committee then received a high-level overview of the higher education budget, totaling $11.9 billion, with major emphasis on workforce training and development. Highlights included increases for school district workforce education, the Florida College System, workforce development capitalization, a rural educator recruitment program, funding for the USF Center for Nursing, preeminent research universities, UCF’s community school grant program, UF’s literacy and math initiatives, UF’s autism and neurodevelopment center, and a postsecondary guardian program for campus security. Members asked a brief question about a workforce fund transfer, and the chair explained it was a transfer of an existing program with new funds added. No public comment was offered, and the meeting adjourned.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee Jul 1st, 2026

Privacy and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • It would also reinforce that the use of AI tech in psychotherapy records must...
  • Thank you, Samantha Gordon with Tech Equity Action in support. Thank you.
  • Have there been other tech advocacy or privacy groups that...
  • We will start at the top. We'll just, I think it's easiest. We just start at the top.
  • We'll go back to the top for Mr. Ward. Yeah. Thank you for coming back. Okay.
Keywords: 988, house, all
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • It stunts their growth after a certain elevation, and then it creates a lot of fuel at the top of the
  • <00:25:55.240> of there's Kaa being grown at the tops of there's Kaa being grown at the tops
  • then it creates a lot of fuel at the top then it creates a lot of fuel at the top of<00:26:04.600
  • that are other Tech amendments that are identified<00:35:47.119> by<00:35:47.599> hmso
  • amendments identified for hmso I um Tech amendments identified for hmso I do<00:48:08.680> want
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The committee met on March 19, 2025, and heard testimony on several measures before taking up decision-making. Senate Bill 1381, relating to the Hawaii National Guard, received support from the Department of Defense and other testifiers and was recommended to pass as is. Senate Bill 422, relating to education and high school diplomas for veterans, also drew support from the Department of Education, the Military Affairs Council, and the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, and was recommended to pass as is. Senate Bill 414, relating to restoring access to disaster-affected areas in Lahaina, was discussed with testimony from HHFDC and others; members agreed to amend the bill to refer to the Department of Transportation as the acquiring agency, and the measure was recommended to pass with amendments. The committee then considered Senate Bill 223, relating to fire prevention. The Department of Land and Natural Resources supported the bill but recommended changes to make the wildland-urban interface code a matter for the State Fire Council/State Fire Marshal rather than statute, and noted it lacked authority to mandate fuel reduction work on lands outside its control. Members also discussed community fuel reduction funding, with DLNR indicating that $10 million would be an effective amount and describing current funding for equipment, outreach, and positions. The chair proposed amendments to make fuel reduction on non-set-aside lands permissive rather than mandatory, to allow the State Fire Council to amend the state fire code to include easement holders, and to note a defective date and the funding request in the committee report. The bill was recommended to pass with amendments, with one member voting with reservations. In a later decision-making session, the committee considered Senate Bill 1379, relating to emergency preparedness and Community Readiness Centers, and Senate Bill 371, relating to property damage of critical infrastructure facilities. For SB 1379, the chair proposed an HD1 incorporating the Hawaii Advisory Council on Emergency Management and county emergency management in site-selection criteria, adding geographic resilience considerations, changing the defective date, and noting $10.8 million for site design plus $1.2 million for contract support; the bill passed with amendments, with reservations from some members over county input and funding. For SB 371, the chair amended the bill to remove recklessly/negligently causing damage and require intentional conduct throughout, while leaving other issues for Judiciary review; the bill passed with amendments, with at least one member voting with reservations.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • So, as you can see here, what is the top one is grade 4 math.
  • one is um grade four math it Top one is um grade four math it increased<00:15:29.920> by<00:15
  • So maybe we've gotten too far, too top-heavy. Just a comment.
  • Month that more than half of all tech jobs now require AI skills.
  • And it is not just about the tech industry.
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Education met without a quorum, so the minutes were not approved. The main presentation was from retired economics professors John Garren and Dr. Kums, who discussed their Bluegrass Institute research on teacher compensation in Kentucky since the Kentucky Education Reform Act era. They said teacher base salaries, adjusted for inflation, have declined over the last decade, while state-paid “on-behalf” benefits such as pension and health insurance contributions have risen sharply; they argued total teacher compensation has increased modestly overall, but less than per-pupil funding. They also presented broader context on staffing growth, declining average daily attendance, Kentucky’s low share of teachers among total school staff, and flat or weak NAEP and ACT performance trends, including widening white-Black score gaps on NAEP. Members questioned the methodology and interpretation of the compensation figures. Representative Bojanowski argued the on-behalf calculations may overstate teacher compensation because they include insurance and pension costs that also benefit classified employees and retirees, and he asked for clarification on the denominator used to derive the per-teacher amount. Representative Truit said the presentation could be misleading if it implies teachers earn $94,000 in salary, and he objected to framing pension stabilization payments as teacher pay. The presenters responded that they were using total compensation, not salary alone, said they had divided total personnel-related on-behalf payments by the relevant staff count, and promised to review and send a technical explanation. Representative Truit and Chairman Typton both emphasized that compensation should be viewed as salary plus benefits, not salary alone, and noted that pension contributions are part of the cost of employing teachers. The presenters said their intent was to show the full compensation package and its relevance to labor supply and teacher shortages, not to claim that individual teachers earn the total compensation figure as salary. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond the decision to revisit the minutes at a later meeting due to the lack of quorum.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Transportation Apr 29th, 2025

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's not, you know, place through there, and tech stop freaked out. And said you can't do that.
  • just need to be able to put those stop signs up when the traffic lights go down and, uh, just let Tech
  • And then when the traffic lights come on, see, Tech Dock's concerned, it was racist.
  • anyways, uh, this bill simply allows a local authority to essentially put up the stop signs, alert tech
  • I think what really needs to be done in some of these cities is a top, top-down approach and looking
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 2/10/25 - Part 1

Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • um but we'll begin spending in awarded um but we'll begin spending in 26<00:51:43.640> so<00:
  • It would also add a labor relations tech position to provide support for labor relations consultants
  • I won't go through these recommendations; I just want to highlight the top one there.
  • top one there<00:56:57.160> met<00:56:57.520> Council<00:56:57.960> loan<00:56:
  • Looking at what the top priorities were, that one just didn't rise to the very top.
Bills: HF5
Summary: The committee began with member and staff introductions, then heard an overview of the governor’s transportation budget recommendations from fiscal staff Andy Lee. He explained that the spreadsheet showed only proposed changes, not base spending, and highlighted General Fund and trunk highway adjustments for MnDOT and the Department of Public Safety, including operating changes, extensions of prior appropriations, increased state road construction and Blatnik Bridge authority tied to anticipated federal funds, State Patrol hiring and a metro headquarters item, aeronautics changes, and revenue adjustments in the Driver and Vehicle Services special revenue account. The main testimony came from Metropolitan Council Chair Charlie Zelle, who outlined three budget-related items: advancing funds to MnDOT to help coordinate a highway reconstruction with a transitway project, making Metro Mobility riders eligible for free fixed-route transit, and reducing the Metro Transit general fund appropriation by $32.454 million annually. He said the advance would speed delivery and reduce disruption, the free-fare pilot had been successful and could save money if even a small share of Metro Mobility trips shifted to fixed-route service, and the general fund reduction was manageable in the near term because of new revenue streams but could constrain future expansion and capital maintenance. Members questioned the long-term effects of the proposed reduction, possible impacts on safety, service expansion, and capital maintenance, and whether federal funding uncertainty could affect operations and bus procurement. Zelle said the cuts would not affect immediate operations but could limit future BRT, microtransit, and transitway expansion, while also noting that capital maintenance needs include platform rebuilds, track work, rolling stock, and station repairs. He also said the 2023 funding package had accelerated projects and that the council was opening three transit lines this year. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Rules Apr 8th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill contracts free market principles by imposing top time regulations again favor these monopolies
  • respectfully ask that you not with this legislation. >> Thank you for your comments last Katie Kelly with tech
  • minister of the other governmental entity, if the people bringing this to prevail, it said not to be award
  • You win the award for the most amendments of the day.
  • The court awarded 1.3 8 million dollars to Marcus and 289,002, his parents, but only on 163,000 has been
Keywords: 999, senate, all
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations and Budget Natural Resources Subcommittee - Morning Session Dec 17th, 2025

A&B Natural Resources Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:
  • You know, the Governor wants us to be top 10.
  • I tell all my friends across the country we are top 10 in what we do in water.
  • You know, the Governor wants us to be top 10.
  • You know, the Governor wants us to be top 10.
  • We have a top 10 list...
Summary: The meeting began with a budget presentation from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. Secretary Blaine Arthur and Deputy Commissioner Jan Lee described the agency’s divisions and recent efforts to improve efficiency, including expanded online licensing, electronic veterinary inspection certificates, and a new laboratory information system. They highlighted youth and workforce programs, local food initiatives for schools, market development efforts, and ongoing animal health concerns such as avian influenza, equine herpesvirus, and the threat of New World screwworm. They also discussed staffing, turnover, and uncertainty around federal cooperative agreement funding, while noting they were not requesting new or additional appropriations for the upcoming fiscal year. Members asked about meat inspection staffing, the use of one-time forestry firefighting funds, biosecurity and national security coordination, and agency staffing levels. The department said meat inspection was currently in good shape but dependent on federal funding stability, and explained that prior firefighting dollars had been used for equipment purchases. They also said they work with state and federal partners, including DHS and FBI, on threat preparedness and have reduced turnover by adjusting salaries and maintaining staffing at or below prior levels. The Oklahoma Conservation Commission then presented its budget and program overview. Staff described the agency’s long history and current work in water quality, flood control, soil health, unpaved roads, wetlands, and woody species control, especially eastern red cedar removal. They emphasized data-driven, voluntary conservation practices, citing stream cleanups, flood-control dam benefits, pond cleanouts during drought, and the Cherry-Peach watershed project as examples of programs that improve water resources and reduce wildfire risk. The agency said its workload has grown significantly and requested funding for critical dam repairs, local conservation district staffing, continued unpaved roads work, and expansion of woody species control statewide. Members asked about county matching for road and dam projects, who to contact about flooding roads, sediment removal from pond cleanouts, and the effectiveness of county training programs. Commission staff explained that county in-kind work can count as match, local conservation districts are the first point of contact, and the road training has produced measurable savings and better maintenance practices. They also clarified that “high hazard” dams are those where failure could threaten people or infrastructure downstream, not necessarily dams that are structurally failing.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/18/2026 - House International Trade

International Trade

Transcript Highlights:
  • It is a diplomatic hub and, importantly, a deep tech powerhouse.
  • So far, extremely friendly, surprisingly strong in deep tech, industrial deep tech, and very international
  • Off the top, I believe they are South Africa, and Brazil is looking at it.
  • There is, from the top... The market thrives and they're being sold.
  • There is, from the top down, zero clarity. They're working to get clarity.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Legislative Evaluation and Development Committee REVISED: Meeting room changed to House rm 450 May 13th, 2026 at 10:00 am

Legislative Evaluation and Development Committee (LEAD)

Transcript Highlights:
  • But a key backbone for this for the entire state is really the career tech system and its responsiveness
  • about how we really stand against our competitors, and we always hear great things about our career tech
  • So, I think we're well positioned with career tech and happy to work with them.
  • , but I know from our standpoint, we can do a better job of at least getting universities and crew tech
  • You have to say, ok, if we're trying to strategize around winning this particular opportunity, the top
Keywords: 914, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Transportation Committee Jun 8th, 2026

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • One of our top priorities is ensuring that our personnel can respond quickly and safely to emergencies
  • Corey Jackson who asked the question at the very top, which I think is the question that needs to be
  • On top of mind when I'm thinking about how we adapt this technology is: what is the future of work?
  • Valley works in tech. And so how are we keeping people employed for the future?
  • AV policy should be tech-neutral, performance-based, and focused on measurable safety outcomes.
Keywords: 988, house, all
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

S/C on Transportation Funding Apr 28th, 2025

S/C on Transportation Funding

Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill would bypass that protection and apply to all toll entities with the exception of just Tech
  • priority at Tech.
  • Why would the department, why would Tech say we're not going to allow an electric vehicle?
  • This bill would help put Texas back on top.
  • Tech staff working with the limited framework they are given, did not and could not design a rebuild
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Committee Jul 15th, 2026 at 09:00 am

Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • I love—I'm a tech junkie. I love technology. I love the whole AI thing. I was doing...
  • I'm a tech junkie. I love technology. I love the whole AI thing.
  • He writes, true local control means neighbors write the rules, not tech lobbyists.
  • And then I had Thompson's who were at the top of the hill.
  • And big tech, big industry, big commercial—everything is not okay.
Keywords: 908, all
ND
Transcript Highlights:
  • We'd catch everything on the top level. Representative Schneider. Thank you, Mr.
  • I'm a tech junkie. I love technology. I love the whole AI thing.
  • He writes, true local control means neighbors write the rules, not tech lobbyists.
  • And then I had Thompson's who were at the top of the hill.
  • And big tech, big industry, big commercial, everything is not okay.
Summary: The committee held its first meeting on artificial intelligence and data centers, established a quorum, and heard introductory remarks from Majority Leader Hogue and the chair about the committee’s charge. Members said the goal was to build a factual foundation on AI, hear from experts and stakeholders, and develop practical North Dakota-focused recommendations rather than simply produce a large volume of bills. Legislative Council also reviewed interim committee rules and procedures before the informational presentations began. Staff and NCSL presenters then gave overviews of AI concepts and the state and federal policy landscape. The background memo and presentations covered AI categories and terms, state laws in areas such as consumer protection, algorithmic discrimination, deepfakes, chatbots, children’s safety, health, education, and government use, as well as data center siting and economic impacts. NCSL described a growing number of AI bills introduced and enacted across the states, with comprehensive laws in places like Utah, Colorado, Texas, California, and Illinois, and noted recurring issues around transparency, privacy, liability, and protections for minors. A major focus of the discussion was federal preemption and the tension between state regulation and national AI policy. NCSL said a recent White House executive order and related federal framework seek a light-touch, innovation-friendly national standard, with possible challenges to state laws and possible funding conditions tied to compliance, though no broad federal preemption has yet been enacted. Members asked about Commerce Clause concerns, industry pushback, oversight models, and whether AI policy is bipartisan; presenters said the issue cuts across party lines, with broad agreement on child safety and deepfake restrictions but more disagreement on broader regulatory approaches. No votes or formal actions were taken at the meeting, and the committee recessed briefly for technical issues during the second presentation.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 02/26/25

Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • Spread out by monthly payments added on top of the monthly payment as well.
  • techs techs Etc<01:11:50.560> I<01:11:50.679> pulled<01:11:50.920> a<01:11:51.000
  • Our Urban Tech program of four years ago started with strong interest from the community.
  • We move from entry-level tech jobs to tech careers after some research, and so as a result we shifted
  • each year we move from entry-level tech each year we move from entry-level tech jobs<01:38:24.960
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Education Pre-K - 12 Oct 15th, 2025

Education Pre-K - 12

Transcript Highlights:
  • And you can see that therapy and companionship is the top area that AI is used for.
  • One of the studies that we looked at: what are the top things that teachers are using it for?
  • Supporting students with learning differences was the top area that they mentioned, and then creating
  • You can see those at the very top because we feel like that.
  • Data privacy and cybersecurity, you can see those at the very top because we feel like if we don't do
Summary: The Senate Committee on Education Pre-K through 12 met to hear a panel discussion on artificial intelligence in K-12 education. Dr. Maya Israel of the University of Florida gave an overview of AI literacy, the benefits of AI for personalized learning and teacher support, and the risks involving data privacy, overreliance, hallucinations, and misuse. She described the Florida K-12 AI Task Force, which published statewide guidance in March and is now providing professional development, case studies, surveys, and resources for teachers and families. She also noted that teacher preparation programs and microcredentials are being developed, but there is not yet a statewide baseline standard for teacher AI training. Superintendents Van Ayers of Hillsborough County and Kevin Hendrick of Pinellas County described district policies and implementation efforts. Hillsborough adopted an AI governance policy, created an implementation guide, and set rules barring generative AI use for students in pre-K through 7th grade while allowing limited, teacher-approved use for older students with district-vetted tools. Pinellas emphasized digital responsibility, parent transparency, data-use agreements, and a governance process for approving tools. Both districts said AI is being used for lesson planning, tutoring, reading-level adjustments, scheduling, and other administrative tasks, but they do not yet have reliable evidence that AI is improving academic performance. They also discussed teacher training, stipends, and certification efforts, including partnerships with universities and vendors such as Microsoft, Google, Magic School, and Gemini. Drew Allen of FSU Inspire offered an industry-focused perspective, arguing that AI is not new but that education must adapt more quickly to industry needs. He described Inspire’s workforce and research mission, its AI and robotics training for teachers, and the need to build teacher comfort and confidence through incentives and applied training. Committee members raised concerns about student dependence on AI, academic integrity, mental health, moral decision-making, data privacy, and whether schools should return to more paper-based testing. The panel generally agreed that AI should be used with strong guardrails, human oversight, and a balance between technology use and traditional learning. No legislation was considered, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was adopted without objection.
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Tribal and State Relations Committee May 13th, 2026

Tribal and State Relations Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Right now we top out at 12 students.
  • And we have some programs that, because they were furloughed, we could bring back, like automotive tech
  • We've... ...that we could bring back, like automotive tech.
  • The top example depicts a provider such as Hartview.
  • So awards will be issued on a reimbursement basis.
Summary: The committee met at Spirit Lake Tribe and heard an extended discussion with Spirit Lake tribal leaders and program directors about government-to-government relations with the state. Chairwoman Street and others outlined a number of concerns and requests, including taxation of tribal and trust lands, state school support for non-beneficiary students, homelessness services, Indian-managed health care, gaming/e-tabs, the Feather Alert system, industrial farming near waterways, tourism and cultural issues, and the need for more consistent tribal consultation. Committee members responded that many of these issues had previously been passed along without direct action, and several members emphasized the committee’s role in education, communication, and preparing possible legislation or resolutions for the next session. Tribal representatives also offered to provide training on treaties, IHS 638, and compact services to help legislators better understand tribal jurisdiction and billing issues. A major portion of the meeting focused on Spirit Lake Fish and Wildlife concerns, especially jurisdictional “gray areas” around hunting and fishing on the reservation, recognition of tribal licenses, and the boundary of the reservation around Spirit Lake/Devils Lake. Tribal officials said they wanted a co-stewardship agreement or MOU with the state to clarify jurisdiction, improve cooperation, and address invasive species and aquatic nuisance species. Committee members discussed whether to draft legislation or a resolution directing the executive branch and state agencies to negotiate such an agreement, and they asked for further input from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department at a future meeting. The committee also discussed county involvement in land status changes and trust land issues, with Spirit Lake leaders describing a past Benson County resolution that tried to block fee-to-trust transfers and saying it was later rescinded. The committee then heard from Benson County tax equalization director Randy Thompson, who explained how the county values land and handles tax-exempt, inundated, and fee-to-trust parcels. Members asked about the impact of tax-exempt lands on county services and discussed prior legislation that helped counties with large tax-exempt bases. The committee also received a presentation from Dr. Steven Smith of Sisseton Wahpeton College, who described the college’s programs, economic impact, and funding needs, including support for non-beneficiary students and workforce training. Members asked about expanding tribal college education into correctional settings, and Smith said the idea was worth exploring through the tribal college system. Finally, HHS interim medical services director Christoph Framing presented remotely on 1115 Medicaid waivers and the IMD exclusion, explaining current state funding mechanisms for inpatient and residential behavioral health services and the bill draft directing HHS to pursue a waiver for IMD payments.
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Tribal and State Relations Committee May 13th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • Right now we top out at 12 students.
  • And we have some programs that, due to furlough, that we could bring back, like automotive tech.
  • We've... ...that we could bring back, like automotive tech.
  • The top example depicts a provider such as Hartview.
  • Awards will be issued on a reimbursement basis.
Summary: The committee met at Spirit Lake Tribe and first heard welcoming remarks and introductions from tribal leaders and program directors. Chairwoman Street and other tribal representatives outlined a range of concerns and requests for state action, including taxation of reservation lands, support for non-beneficiary students at the tribal school, homelessness funding, Indian-managed health care, gaming and e-tabs, Feather Alert improvements, industrial farming near waterways, tourism, and better state-tribal consultation. Committee members responded that the meeting was intended to improve understanding and communication, and several members suggested future legislation or resolutions could be used to advance some of the issues. The tribe also offered to provide training on treaties, IHS 638, and compact services to legislators and staff. A major portion of the discussion focused on Spirit Lake fish and wildlife jurisdiction and the lake boundary. Tribal representatives asked for an MOU or co-stewardship agreement with the state to clarify hunting and fishing rights, recognize tribal licenses, and reduce recurring disputes over “gray areas” on the reservation and lake. Committee members discussed whether to draft a bill or resolution directing the executive branch and state agencies to negotiate such an agreement, and asked that North Dakota Game and Fish be invited to a future meeting. Related concerns included aquatic nuisance species prevention, with both sides agreeing that more aggressive boat inspection and cleaning measures would be beneficial. The committee also discussed taxation and county relations. Tribal leaders raised concerns about county resistance to fee-to-trust transfers and about property and vehicle taxation affecting members living on or near reservation lands. Committee members and tribal counsel reviewed federal treaty principles and court cases, and one member noted that the committee had previously taken no formal action on similar issues. Later, Benson County’s tax equalization director explained how the county values taxable land, handles inundated land applications, and tracks land coming off the tax rolls when the tribe repurchases acreage. The discussion ended with a presentation from the president of Sisseton Wahpeton College, who described the college’s programs, economic impact, and funding needs, followed by an HHS presentation on 1115 Medicaid waivers and the IMD exclusion as the committee moved to its next topic.