Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and members, Marissa Higerman with Trattner Price Consulting, registering support on behalf of
• Chair and members, Marissa Higerman with Trattner Price Consulting, registering support on behalf of
• But it's estimated that the annual need for mitigation alone is between $4 billion and $7 billion in
• currently puts up about $500 million each year, which we estimate about 10% of the annual need.
• Marissa Higerman, with Tratton Price Consulting, registering support on behalf of Climate Resolve.

Summary: The committee heard SB 1135, which would reestablish the California Wildlife Coexistence Program to reduce human-wildlife conflict through nonlethal strategies such as deterrents, conflict reporting, and outreach. The author and supporters said the program had been effective but lost funding in 2024, and they argued it would help communities, ranchers, and wildlife by preventing conflicts before they escalate. Support came from conservation, animal welfare, local government, and county groups, while the California Cattlemen’s Association and California Farm Bureau opposed unless amended, saying the bill needed clearer limits on when nonlethal measures are practicable and protections so compensation funds for livestock losses are not reduced. Members discussed wolf-livestock conflicts, compensation, and the need for continued collaboration. The committee voted 2-0 on call to send the bill to Appropriations. The committee then heard SB 1085, which would preserve water supply assessments for large housing and development projects even when those projects are exempt from CEQA. The author and sponsor EBMUD said the bill is needed to keep water planning tied to land-use planning and avoid “paper water” problems, especially as climate and drought conditions worsen. Supporters included water agencies, environmental groups, labor, and local governments. The California Building Industry Association opposed the bill, arguing that current law already requires verified water supplies, that the bill could add unnecessary process and litigation risk, and that it could slow housing production. Members raised concerns about duplication in cities that also operate their own water systems, but the author said the goal was better coordination, not more bureaucracy. The committee voted 4-1 on call to send the bill to Local Government. The committee also heard SB 1270, which would expand the state wildfire mitigation home-hardening pilot to the top 10 counties by wildfire risk and social vulnerability, adding Riverside, Calaveras, Los Angeles, and Tehama counties and prioritizing future funds for those areas. The author said the bill responds to recent destructive fires and aims to extend home-hardening assistance to more high-risk communities. There was no opposition, and members discussed how to scale funding, whether the program should be broader than the listed counties, and how to focus on cost-effective mitigation. The committee voted 5-0 on call to send the bill to Emergency Management. Finally, the committee heard SB 895, a major science funding measure that would place a $23 billion bond on the ballot and create a California Foundation for Science and Health Research to support research in the state. The author and supporters said California’s research sector is a major economic engine and that federal funding cuts and instability threaten jobs, talent retention, and scientific progress. There was broad support from UC, CSU, labor, health, and research organizations, with no formal opposition. Some members raised concerns about the role of sponsoring unions and the potential for politicization, but the author said the new foundation would operate under California law and that the measure is meant to protect science funding and collaboration. The committee discussion continued, but the transcript excerpt ends before a final vote on SB 895.

Transcript Highlights:

• Already we're seeing higher health insurance prices starting to hit.
• I think what we've asked for from you all is, you know, tell us a reasonable price tag, you know, or
• I think what we've asked for from you all is, you know, tell us a reasonable price tag, you know, or
• I think what we've asked for from you all is, you know, tell us a reasonable price tag, you know, or
• When we pitched this to you back in '23, we estimated about 2,000 annual financial certifications in

Committee: Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations from the Secretary of State, the State Land Office, the Attorney General, and the State Auditor. The Secretary of State said its requested general fund budget of $15.88 million was intended to maintain baseline operations, replace lost federal cyber and election support, and address a 12% vacancy rate. Officials warned that the House recommendation still left major gaps for election security, tabulator replacement, campaign finance system upgrades, overseas and military ballot services, ballot tracking, and a new tax lien filing system. Senators pressed about the election fund, county burdens, and the risk of underfunding election administration; the office said the House had provided $15 million for the election fund for the primary and another $15 million for the general election, but not enough for operations or all capital needs. The State Land Office said it was satisfied with the House budget action and had no additional request. Staff described the office’s record revenues, low vacancy rate, clean audits, and proposed new positions tied to forestry, economic development, petroleum, geothermal, and royalty compliance work. Senators asked about long-term revenue trends, forest thinning and biomass opportunities, and bookkeeping around the land maintenance fund; the office said the new positions were intended to generate revenue and support land management, including fire mitigation. The Attorney General’s office presented a budget built around a 0% general fund increase, greater use of the Consumer Settlement Fund, and $4.5 million in special/extraordinary litigation funding. The AG emphasized active litigation and investigations involving consumer fraud, Medicaid fraud, federal funding cuts, Meta and other technology platforms, AI and child safety, gaming compacts, tobacco, and possible litigation over abandoned uranium mine cleanup. Senators asked about scam enforcement, the structure of settlement funds, and whether the office could take on uranium-related litigation; the AG said the office could prepare a litigation budget but warned such efforts would require sustained funding. The State Auditor said the House budget added only modest increases while the office faced about a 40% vacancy rate, difficulty recruiting auditors, and a shrinking pool of public accounting firms, creating risks for constitutional audit responsibilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Phelps, Price, Seitz, Taylor, Violet, West, Williams.
• Price. Seitz? Aye. Phelps? Aye. Price? Seitz? Aye. Taylor? Aye. Violet? West? Aye. Williams?
• Price. Seitz. Aye. Taylor. Violet. Aye. West. Williams. Aye. Aye. West? Aye. Williams.
• Do we have any estimates of how much we'll bring to 911?
• Schnucks paid out over $13,000 to customers that had lost money, and the estimates of other tampered

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Summary: The committee met in executive session and first approved House Bill 2889 by a 14-0 roll call vote. It then took up House Bill 3175, “Mason’s Law,” adopting a House Committee Substitute after discussion of a proposed amendment that was not offered because the sponsor and a member agreed the language needed to be cleaned up. The substitute bill was then advanced both due pass and due pass by consent, with unanimous votes of 14-0 and 16-0 respectively. House Bill 3066, dealing with St. Louis police governance and related budget/oversight issues, drew extended debate. Opponents argued it was an overreach, would sidestep local elected officials, and could burden the city budget; supporters said it was not a state takeover but an oversight structure made up of city citizens and that the city should be responsible for certain liabilities. The committee adopted a House Committee Amendment to address lieutenant overtime pay, rolled it into a new committee substitute, and then passed the substitute 11-5. During the vote, members clarified that a refusal to vote could be recorded and the roll was completed after a brief rules question. In public hearing, House Bill 2767 was presented as a 911 funding measure that would increase the prepaid wireless 911 fee from 3% to 4% to generate roughly $1 million more annually for grants to local 911 providers for equipment, training, and related upgrades. Testimony from 911 directors emphasized that prepaid phone revenue has declined as consumers move away from that technology, while the added funding would help modernize statewide emergency response systems; no opposition was heard. House Bill 1990, creating the offense of gift card fraud, was then heard with support from the sponsor, retailers, grocers, convenience store operators, and bankers, who described sophisticated theft schemes involving tampering with cards and stealing activation data; members asked about penalties, how the fraud works, and whether the bill aligns with existing theft classifications. The final bill heard was House Bill 2269, which would move boiler inspector qualifications and related fire/life safety standards from statute into rule to help the state hire inspectors more quickly and align with national standards. The state fire marshal supported the change and said oversight would remain with the boiler board commission. House Bill 3220, focused on teen driver accountability and driver education, drew extensive support from the sponsor, a crash victim’s widow, AAA, motorcycle and pedestrian safety advocates, and MODOT. Supporters said the bill would require driver education for new applicants under 21, tighten supervision and point-assessment rules, and reduce crashes; MODOT estimated a state administrative cost of roughly $350,000 to $850,000 annually, and members asked about parental supervision, the impact on young drivers, and historical crash trends. No votes were taken on the public hearing bills before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• The New Mexico DOT estimates that, with the current shortfall in transportation funding, over the next
• And we have seen what has happened with the escalating prices of materials and construction, and then
• It provides to us on Table A the revenue estimates from Sections 1 through 5, and also Tables B and C
• The price tag on that is $35 million. The letting date is August of '27.
• But this price tag would be $50 million, excuse me. ...price tag would be $50 million, excuse me.

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The committee first heard TRIP’s annual New Mexico transportation report from Carolyn Boniface Kelly, which described deteriorating roads and bridges, congestion, safety concerns, and a large transportation funding gap. The report said more than half of major roads statewide are in poor or mediocre condition, over 170 bridges are rated poor, congestion costs drivers significant time and money, and traffic crashes and road conditions impose billions in annual costs. Members broadly agreed the report underscored the need for more stable transportation funding, with several noting the state’s recurring underinvestment and the safety risks to motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2, a transportation bonding and revenue package. Senator Gonzales and Governor’s office and NMDOT representatives said the bill would authorize about $1.5 billion in additional bond debt for ready-to-go highway projects, while also increasing certain motor vehicle excise, registration, weight-distance, and EV-related fees to help support debt service and transportation funding. Supporters, including contractors, the Greater Albuquerque Chamber, the Department of Finance and Administration, and transportation officials, argued the bill would improve safety, economic development, project delivery, and funding stability, and help preserve federal dollars. Opponents, including the Rio Grande Foundation and some committee members, objected to the tax and fee increases, argued the state should use existing surpluses or other funds instead, and raised concerns about impacts on families, businesses, and local governments. Committee members questioned how projects would be selected, how the new fees were calculated, how EV surcharges would work, and whether local government distributions would be affected. NMDOT said the projects would be reported to the legislature annually, selected using crash data, asset management, and project readiness, but bond approval would remain with the State Transportation Commission. After debate, Representative Romero moved do pass on SB 2 as amended, Representative Hochman-Vigil seconded, and the committee approved the bill 7-2, with Representatives Brown and Dow voting no and several members expressing reservations despite supporting the need for transportation investment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman Tanner, Miller, Furness, Putsky, Manwaring, Mitchell, Price, Bryce. Manwaring, here.
• Representative Price. Thank you, Mr. Chair, Ms. Wolf. Thank you for your presentation.
• Representative Price, thank you.
• Chairman, Representative Price.
• The estimates that we have in this budget have come from the Tax Commission.

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee opened its session with roll call, confirmed a quorum, and introduced new co-chairs, members, pages, and legislative staff. Committee leaders emphasized the heavy workload ahead, the role of JFAC as the legislature’s budget-writing committee, and the importance of using LSO staff, impact team analysts, and other resources. Staff then reviewed the committee’s website tools, budget publications, session record, budget highlights, and the 10-week hearing schedule, including upcoming presentations on the governor’s budget, LSO analysis, health insurance costs, the economic outlook, and the first budget hearings. Administrator Lori Wolf of the Division of Financial Management presented Governor Little’s FY 2026 and FY 2027 budget recommendations, describing them as balanced and built around “enduring Idaho values.” She said the budget responds to slower revenue growth and economic uncertainty with early action, including a 3% holdback, vacancy reductions, and one-time transfers of unused balances and interest earnings to the general fund. Major proposed reductions included ongoing cuts across state agencies, no change in employee compensation, higher employee health insurance costs, reductions to Medicaid, changes to virtual school and Idaho Digital Learning Academy funding, and no transfer from the budget stabilization fund. She also outlined support for rural health grants, graduate medical education, and implementation of Medicaid reforms and federal tax conformity beginning January 1, 2026. Committee members questioned the assumptions behind the revenue forecast, the use of one-time funds, the impact of higher health insurance costs on employees, the size and timing of tax conformity, and the proposed cuts to online education and IDLA. Several members raised concerns that the budget relied too heavily on projected revenue and policy changes, while Wolf and co-chair Groh said the budget was intentionally conservative, preserved reserves, and avoided using stabilization funds. No votes were taken during the meeting; the committee concluded after the budget presentation and questions, with plans to continue hearings the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• The majority of the maintenance money—millions, hundreds of millions of dollars—is done through price
• dollar and starting to have to contribute to this fund, how are we Those people going to raise the price
• Well, when you go through the RP process or get onto, say, a statewide pricing agreement or one of the
• We estimate revenues. You've heard that word: estimated revenue.
• If I were to multiply what this bill is estimating to do, it would mean that we'd have approximately

Committee: Senate Senate Tax, Business & Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• MDE will then determine whether the lease is reasonably priced, appropriate for the district's needs,
• MDE felt that it was not possible for them to estimate a cost for this provision because they did not
• It was a huge price tag to our school districts, that decision, and I believe it was made in a bit of
• So this is an estimate at this point in time. >> Thank you, Mr. Strom.
• is an estimate at this point<00:59:20.720><c> in</c><00:59:20.960><c> time.

Bills: HF3790 , HF3654 , HF3371 , HF3470 , HF1099

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: education finance, lease levy authority, graduation ceremonies, school districts, Minnesota Statutes, local revenue, funding increase, education, state appropriation, local control, HF3371, local optional revenue, school finance, general education aid, school district funding, referendum revenue, referendum market value, equalization aid, state aid, property tax levy

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a $7 billion increase from last year's estimate alone.
• So we estimate that with the reforms we have, it will be a cost avoidance in the billions of dollars.
• That adds quite a bit to the estimate of accumulated liability. Thank you. Sorry.
• That adds quite a bit to the estimate of accumulated liability.
• PERB estimates about 10% would migrate to its jurisdiction under AB 288.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is estimated to generate about $175 million per year.
• And if we do, there's a price that we will have to pay.
• And if we do, there's a price that we will have to pay.
• We're getting priced out of Washington.
• HCA estimates that these two provisions combined will increase 120-hour detentions by an estimated 15%

Bills: SB6346 , SB6347 , SB6147 , SB6246 , SB5940 , SB5882 , SB6223 , SJR8206 , SB5762 , SB5828

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: millionaires tax, wealth tax, income tax, state revenue, tax reform, Washington estate tax, estate tax, inheritance tax, death tax, probate, decedent, gross estate, taxable estate, exclusion amount, tax rate, estate planning, heirs, beneficiaries, RCW 83.100, Department of Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• up... ...on the sticker price at the gas pump.
• Prices rise. And when prices rise, the people hurt first are not the wealthy.
• And that's why our prices are where they're at these days.
• High gas prices fall disproportionately on hardworking families.
• Seniors on fixed income cannot afford these high gas prices.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through confirmations and floor legislation. Three California Housing Finance Agency and State Mining and Geology Board appointments were confirmed unanimously. The chamber then took up several policy bills, with debate often focusing on housing, public safety, energy, and local government impacts. Among the major measures, SB 1173 on lesser related offense jury instructions passed after supporters argued it would give judges limited discretion and improve fairness, while opponents warned it could create inconsistency. SB 1354, barring out-of-state military or law enforcement activity in California without the Governor’s permission, passed despite objections that it conflicted with federal commander-in-chief authority. SB 1090, the Altadena disaster-speculation bill, passed to restrict unsolicited purchase offers in fire-affected areas, and SB 966 passed to preserve refinery worker safety participation rights. SB 1256, a local housing/land-use bill, passed unanimously after discussion of fire-safety concerns and ongoing amendments. The Senate also approved SB 865 on music festivals, SB 866 on homelessness planning and regional coordination for jurisdictions not receiving HAP funds, SB 938 on peace officer training requirements for certain immigration-enforcement-related applicants after the author committed to major amendments, SB 1359 on natural gas planning to reduce ratepayer costs, SB 923 on privacy rights under the CCPA, SB 1098 on utility memorandum and balancing accounts, SB 1010 on refrigerant recovery for cooling appliances, SB 937 on restricting flashbang use in crowd control and immigration enforcement, SB 1082 on inter-district pupil transfers, and SB 1087 on modernizing regional transportation planning. Several bills drew split votes and pointed debate over mandates, taxes, local control, and regulatory certainty, but most ultimately passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, we can't raise prices anymore.
• And so the average American family, we estimate, pays about $1,200 per year in higher prices because
• And now that you have soaring gas prices, high grocery prices, things like that, consumers are up in
• arms and looking for pricing relief.
• And now that you have soaring gas prices, high grocery prices, things like that, consumers are up in

Summary: The commission met to hear testimony on the future of credit card payments and swipe fees, with a focus on impacts to small businesses, especially restaurants and retailers. Members and witnesses discussed interchange fees, processing fees, chargebacks, fraud risk, rewards programs, and the growing use of card-not-present and digital wallet transactions. Several witnesses urged the commission to support legislation that would prohibit fees on the tax and tip portions of transactions and allow businesses to pass credit card fees on to customers if they choose, while others warned that state regulation of interchange could reduce fraud protections and harm consumer rewards programs. Small business owners and trade groups described rising costs and thin margins, saying card fees are now among their largest expenses and are often charged on money that is merely passing through the business, such as sales tax and gratuities. Restaurant representatives said the current system shifts fraud and chargeback losses onto merchants, with little ability to negotiate rates or recover disputed funds, and argued that transparency and fee relief would help keep independent businesses open. Retailers gave similar testimony, citing rising swipe fees, complex statements, and the burden of online and phone transactions. A representative from the airline industry opposed interchange reform, arguing that airline credit card rewards are popular with consumers and support travel and jobs in Massachusetts. Credit union representatives cautioned that state-level interchange limits could weaken fraud prevention and force higher rates or reduced services, while the National Restaurant Association and a payments-policy attorney countered that banks and networks already operate under fee caps in other contexts and that interchange rates are fixed rather than competitive. Commission members asked questions about how chargebacks work, how fees are broken down, whether businesses can negotiate with processors or POS providers, and how consumer behavior has shifted toward cards, online ordering, and delivery since the pandemic. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We estimate the cost to onboard would be about $7.7 million.
• Those are the estimates I've been given. OK, OK. Thank you, Ms. Any other questions?
• We have not estimated the cost. We presently, our staff will locate, request.
• That makes my prices of insurance go up, and I have to have that and.
• I'm sorry, the sanitary lines in this case, then they just keep increasing prices.

Bills: HB206

Committee: House Energy Resources

Keywords: HB206, school district bonds, bond election, voter approval, Education Code, Chapter 45, Section 45.003, Section 45.0034, Texas schools, school finance, local tax election, bond referendum, school construction, capital improvements, election frequency, five-year waiting period, district bonds, public school funding

Transcript Highlights:

• submit a demonstration can be a significant investment of time and resources by the agency, with estimates
• Do you have any estimate on so this bill would require RUCO to advocate in any rate increase of 100%
• Do you have any estimate of how much additional staff and resources you might need in order to participate
• The price of living continuing to climb.
• Arizona, and I'll read from the executive summary that we're estimated to have over 600 million acre-feet

Committee: Senate Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Like I said, the Senate bill for this coming year, the Senate Bill 190 is estimated on their report at
• And it looks like the new estimate is that it's about three or four times more than that.
• Like I said, the Senate bill for this coming year, the Senate Bill 190 is estimated on their report at
• And it looks like the new estimate is that it's about three or four times more than that.
• So, uh, It looks like the new estimate is that it's about three or four times more than that.

Committee: House Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Summary: The Committee on Pensions met without a quorum at first, then later returned to executive session and held several bill hearings. Representative Haley presented House Bill 295, which would allow PSRS retirees who have reached the 80% COLA cap to receive an additional 2% COLA in years when investment returns exceed the system’s assumed rate and CPI conditions are met. Haley and supporters from the Missouri Retired Teachers Association said the bill was narrowly targeted, non-cumulative, and protected by guardrails; committee members questioned whether it could affect funding stability. PSRS/PEERS counsel testified informally that the proposal would function like a one-time “13th paycheck,” would affect about 3,400 PSRS and 800 PEERS retirees, and would cost roughly $32 million for PSRS and under $1 million for PEERS, while emphasizing the systems’ smoothing policy and funded status. The committee then adopted a substitute and passed House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2884 and 1655 by a 12-0 vote. The substitute combined language dealing with St. Louis police retirement board quorum/appointment timing, public employee retirement system provisions, and public school retirement system board quorum/vote requirements, and it also added clarifying language so retirement systems could continue routine informational communications without using funds to support ballot measures. The committee next took up House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1762 and 2059, which would increase the income tax deduction for private retirement income and raise the income threshold for eligibility. Supporters argued it would provide parity with the earlier public-pension tax break and help retirees and self-employed taxpayers; opponents raised concerns about the fiscal impact and timing. The substitute passed 8-4. Representative Bromley then presented House Bill 2144, which would increase the PSRS death benefit from $5,000 to $10,000. He said the current amount no longer covers funeral costs and that the change would help older retirees’ families. MRTA supported the concept but urged caution about system solvency and suggested looking at PEERS as well; PSRS/PEERS counsel testified that the benefit applies to all vested PSRS members, would cost about $137.8 million in actuarial liability, and would reduce the trust fund by about 0.19%. An EMPERS representative confirmed that system also has a $5,000 death benefit and uses similar third-party death-notification services. Finally, Representative Mayhew briefly presented House Bill 2205, which would exempt all public and private retirement income from Missouri income tax; no one testified in support or opposition, and the hearing adjourned after no further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• And our estimate for this spacing unit with six Middle Bakken wells is that those wells will eventually
• And overall, we estimated basically this spacing unit will eventually produce 7 million barrels of oil
• One, we're seeing commodity prices pull back. We're seeing costs go up.
• One, we're seeing commodity prices pull back. We're seeing cost go up.
• They were estimating we were going to decline that by 10, 20 percent by 2024.

Committee: House Finance and Taxation

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Finance and Tax Committee met to consider Senate Bill 2397 and a proposed amendment creating a development incentive well program for North Dakota oil and gas production. Representative Dockter explained the amendment as a way to encourage exploratory and innovative drilling in light of the state’s financial outlook and the growing share of stripper wells. Department of Mineral Resources Director Nathan Anderson and DMR geologist Timothy Nashim presented background on the Bakken and Three Forks formations, with Nashim describing research showing that Middle Three Forks second-bench development can add reserves in some areas but not others, and that roughly 600 additional wells in the strongest area could yield about 250 million barrels of oil. Continental Resources representatives William Houser and John Argo supported the amendment. They said the bill would give a temporary oil extraction tax exemption for certified development incentive wells, limited to 36 months or 300,000 barrels, and would also update tax treatment for gas used in enhanced oil recovery and on-site electric generation. They argued the measure would encourage new technology and testing in existing spacing units, complementing House Bill 1483, which they said focused on geographic expansion into non-Bakken and non-Three Forks areas. Argo said Continental still invests heavily in North Dakota but is shifting rigs elsewhere because of economics, and he urged incentives to spur exploration and preserve the basin’s long-term future. North Dakota Petroleum Council executive director Ron Ness also supported the concept, calling it a targeted, low-risk way to encourage innovation and future barrels. Committee members asked about royalty treatment, the difference from House Bill 1483, pressure maintenance, and how the program would be administered. DMR said the amendment should clarify that the operator bears the burden of proving a well qualifies and that only one incentive well per stratigraphic interval should be certified. No vote was taken; the committee paused to work on revised language and indicated the bill would likely need further adjustment, possibly in conference committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Work or you're going to pay much higher prices.
• So if we had a contract that provided X price and the CRNAs got one price and anesthesia in the same
• So... ...price is, what the cost is, what it must cost.
• And once the legislature starts setting prices, the market never gets them back.
• So this is not about getting into setting prices.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related bills. HB 2726 would require coverage for diagnosis and treatment of mild obstructive sleep apnea, including a tongue-muscle stimulation device. The sponsor and medical witnesses said the device is a less burdensome alternative to CPAP and could improve adherence and reduce long-term complications, while Access said it already covers medically necessary sleep apnea treatment but was neutral and concerned the bill could narrow review and limit cost-effectiveness analysis. The committee adopted the Bliss amendment and then gave HB 2726 a due-pass recommendation by an 8-4 vote. HB 2435, as amended, would create a provisional licensing pathway for internationally trained physicians who meet specified ECFMG-related criteria, with supervision, fees set by the Medical Board, and automatic conversion to a full license after four years if conditions are met. Supporters argued Arizona faces severe physician shortages, especially in rural and tribal areas, and that the bill would bring in experienced doctors while preserving oversight. Opponents, including the Arizona Medical Board, said current law already allows case-by-case licensure review and warned the bill could weaken safeguards and bypass existing scrutiny. After adopting the amendment, the committee approved HB 2435 on a due-pass recommendation. HB 2958 would require Access coverage for comprehensive dental care for pregnant women age 21 and older, with a $500,000 general fund appropriation for a pilot program. The sponsor and public health witnesses said dental care during pregnancy is linked to better maternal and infant outcomes and could reduce emergency room use and complications. The committee adopted the bill and sent it out with an 11-1 due-pass recommendation. HB 2176, which sets timelines and standards for health care institution complaint investigations and dispute resolution, also received broad support from hospitals and was approved unanimously on a 12-0 due-pass recommendation. The committee then heard HB 2447, which would bar insurers from reimbursing certified registered nurse anesthetists at a lower rate than anesthesiologists for the same service. Opponents argued the bill would interfere with private contracting, ignore differences in training and liability, and likely raise costs for the state and taxpayers; supporters said anesthesia demand has outpaced reimbursement and that parity is needed to protect access, especially in rural areas. The transcript ends during testimony on HB 2447, before any vote is taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• index and we capped that so that price index and we capped that so that it<00:13:47.760><c> can't</c
• It's estimated to grow over to 250,000 people by 2030.
• It's estimated to grow over to 250,000 people by 2030.
• It's estimated to grow over to 250,000 people by 2030.
• It's estimated to grow over to here.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• These fee amounts are estimates only.
• These fee amounts are estimates only. So, this $350,000 estimate only.
• Estimate only. What are the fees going to be? Estimate only.
• Estimate only. Estimate only.
• Estimate What are the fees going to be? Estimate only.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HPV is the most common STI in the United States, with an estimated 13 million new cases each year, and
• HPV is the most common STI in the United States with an estimated 13 million new cases each year, and
• The Chaburpa analysis estimates that AB 1887 would increase total premiums by about $148 million per
• Hospital prices directly translate to higher premiums and cost sharing for consumers.
• in Sacramento, when the reality is that hospital prices are driven by market power.

Committee: House Health

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Guttmacher Institute estimates that 34,500 medication abortions were provided via SHIELD laws during
• The latter change alone is estimated to decrease disciplinary cycle time.
• Allowing the seller to charge a higher price for an inferior product.
• For the cheaper price, this is this is tax money that is absolutely lost revenue to the state.
• In addition to disparate pricing, our community's faith disparate service quality.

Committee: House Business and Professions

Keywords: 988, house, all