Transcript Highlights:

• industry chambered county is home to major manufacturing corporations and a crucial part of our territory

Bills: SJR2 , SB4 , SJR36 , SJR2 , SB4 , SR42 , SR74 , SR76 , HCR5 , SB710 , SB710

Transcript Highlights:

• . with this integrated piece.
• We're integrating their support structure within our accounting framework.
• And with that is also the ancillary and third-party integrations.
• The needs, again, back to the integration, And then that total cost of ownership.
• Data analytics, workflow, integration, interoperability.

Summary: The Higher Education Institutions Committee met on the Minot State University campus for presentations on campus operations, enrollment, and new academic initiatives. President Shirley reviewed recent audits, noting mostly clean results with only minor technical findings, and highlighted MSU’s broad academic offerings, specialized accreditations, athletics, and partnerships with Minot Air Force Base and the MSU Development Foundation. Members asked about declining interest in teacher education, tuition waivers for athletes, dual credit incentives, and how MSU decides when to launch new programs and avoid duplication within the university system. Shirley also discussed several workforce-focused initiatives supported by the Legislature’s Workforce Education Innovation Funds, including the purchase of the Trinity Health Center West building for a downtown health sciences hub, a new daycare/preschool partnership near campus, the Aspire program to recruit rural students into teaching, and a paraprofessional-to-special-education degree pathway. Enrollment data showed overall headcount was flat at just under 2,750, but full-time equivalent enrollment rose slightly and new student numbers increased, including the largest freshman class in 15 years. The committee also discussed Minot State’s in-state tuition rate for all students, its dual credit “Emerging Scholars” scholarship, and concerns about the share of high school graduates who do not immediately pursue postsecondary education. Faculty then presented two new programs funded in part by WEAF: an Innovation Engineering degree and a master’s program in counseling with an integrated addiction studies focus. The engineering program was described as industry-driven, designed with broad early coursework, hands-on learning, and local employer input to prepare students for western North Dakota workforce needs; officials said it had already drawn more applicants than expected and would use renovated library space and donated or grant-funded equipment. The counseling program will be mostly face-to-face with hybrid options, aims to address shortages in mental health and substance use providers, and is structured to help students meet licensure requirements. Committee members asked about startup costs, licensure supervision hours, and whether the programs would be on campus rather than online, and presenters said both programs had recently received required approvals and were moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to read those that are waving as I can integrate it so that we can get everything officially
• This is about protecting the integrity and safety of the work I do each and every day.
• This is about protecting the integrity and safety of the work I do each and every day and the people
• We have integrated our unions, as we saw here today. And as I thought about A.
• You guys are an integral part of the state of Florida.

Bills: S0042 , S0688 , S0762 , S1168 , S1296 , S1298 , S1300 , S1318 , S1332 , S1376 , S1548 , S1570 , S1574 , S1632 , S1634 , S1750

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Summary: The committee first took up CS for SB 42 on specific medical diagnosis and child protective investigations. A late-file strike-all amendment was adopted that made only stylistic changes to align with the House version. Supporters said the bill would help DCF and child protective teams better identify rare medical conditions and give parents a chance to defend against mistaken abuse findings. The bill was then reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1570, which restores a prior program to help locate missing persons with special needs through voluntary tracking devices and coordination with sheriff’s offices and CARD centers, with nonrecurring funding included. Members then advanced several education, disability, and public services measures. CS for CSSB 182 created a teacher training and mentoring program for high-performing current and retired teachers to mentor teachers in D- and F-rated schools, and CS for CSSB 794 required background screening for employees in residential and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities while directing APD to study support coordination quality, workforce issues, and service gaps. Testimony on SB 794 strongly supported better training, lower caseloads, and more consistent support coordination. The committee also favorably reported CS for CS SB 1168 on background screenings, CS for CS SB 214 to allow rural special districts to pay verified invoices directly, CS for SB 1376 to create grants for genetic counseling education, and SB 1574 (Maddie’s Law) to add newborn screening for biliary atresia; the latter drew emotional support and testimony that early screening could save lives and reduce transplant costs. The committee heard and passed a number of other policy bills, including CS for CS for SB 1510, the DEP agency package, after environmental groups warned that one provision could delay basin management protections and allow more septic systems in impaired watersheds; the bill still passed favorably. Members also approved CS for CS for SB 598 on funeral and cemetery regulation, SB 688 to license naturopathic doctors, SB 1318 on scholarship account reversion rules, CS for CS for SB 682 on domestic violence injunctions and penalties, SB 130 on workforce training for current and former inmates, and SB 1548, the latest Live Local affordable housing update. Several bills were briefly postponed or taken up later in the meeting. In the latter portion of the meeting, the committee approved CS for C.S. for SB 536 on criminal gang membership criteria, CS for C.S. SB 762 on assigning conflict capital cases across regional counsel offices, SB 1332 on career offender registration requirements, CS for CS for SB 1742 creating a new offense for indecent exposure of sexual organs to a child, and CS for SB 1750 increasing penalties for serious sex offenses and child sexual abuse material crimes. The committee also debated CS for SB 1226 on Public Employee Relations Commission procedures and union certification rules, including a late-file amendment setting a 60% threshold and 25% quorum for recertification; the discussion focused heavily on constitutional concerns, union rights, and differences between first responders and other public employees. The transcript ends while that bill’s debate is still underway, with the committee having already taken numerous favorable votes throughout the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to read those that are waving as I can integrate it so that we can get everything officially
• This is about protecting the integrity and safety of the work I do each and every day.
• This is about protecting the integrity and safety of the work I do each and every day and the people
• We have integrated our unions as we saw here today. And as I thought about A.
• You guys are an integral part of the state of Florida.

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of bills, beginning with several measures that were amended and reported favorably, including a strike-all to SB 4 on child protective investigations and specific medical diagnoses, SB 1570 restoring a statewide missing-persons project for individuals with special needs, and SB 182 creating a teacher training and mentoring program for schools needing improvement. Members also advanced SB 794 on APD background screening and support coordination standards, SB 1168 on background screening for athletic coaches and related entities, and SB 214 to let rural special districts pay verified invoices directly for state- and federally funded work. Supporters emphasized improved child welfare investigations, help for families of vulnerable individuals, teacher retention, and better administrative efficiency; the APD bill drew especially strong testimony from waiver clients and providers about the importance of competent support coordinators and stable services. The committee also favorably reported SB 1376 on grants for genetic counseling education, SB 1574 requiring newborn screening for biliary atresia, SB 1510 as the DEP agency package with environmental, septic, water quality, solar, and permitting changes, and SB 598 updating funeral and cemetery licensing and consumer protections. SB 688, after a delete-all amendment, would create licensure for naturopathic doctors and a board of naturopathic medicine; it drew strong support from naturopathic advocates and sharp opposition from a critic who argued the bill would authorize diagnosis and treatment beyond appropriate limits. SB 1318 made a technical change to scholarship account reversion language, with senators clarifying that remaining funds would return to the scholarship funding organization for future use rather than to the state. Later, the committee approved SB 682 on domestic violence and protective injunctions, SB 130 on workforce training for current and former inmates, and SB 1548, the latest Live Local Act iteration expanding affordable housing options and limiting local barriers. It also reported favorably SB 536 on criminal gang membership criteria after extensive debate about constitutional issues and modern gang activity, SB 762 allowing cross-jurisdiction assignment of capital cases among regional conflict counsel offices, SB 1332 strengthening career offender registration requirements, SB 1742 creating a new offense for indecent exposure of sexual organs to a minor, and SB 1750 increasing penalties for serious sex offenses and child sexual abuse material crimes. The most contentious discussion came on SB 1226, which would overhaul Public Employee Relations Commission rules, require majority support for union certification, and impose new limits on union activities and dues-related practices; members debated constitutional concerns, differences between first responders and other public employees, and the bill’s impact on union representation and public-sector labor rights. Most bills were reported favorably by roll call, with SB 536 drawing several no votes and SB 1226 still under active debate at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're not going back to the territorial days when we did precinct voting.
• It outlines the responsibilities of the Arizona Department of Veterans Services for the integration of
• The specifics of how that integrates with the tribes, I'll defer to Mr. and Vanzon on that point.
• We're now integrating AI systems with government functions, right?
• They sent down and wrote the code to integrate these products.

Committee: House House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2348, which would appropriate state funds for Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs training-center needs, including Wi-Fi for reserve units at joint facilities, a reimbursement program for service members using personal computers, lodging and kind for drill weekends, and HVAC upgrades and maintenance. Two amendments were considered: the Marquez Amendment, which filled in dollar amounts for each purpose, failed; and the Gillette Amendment, which added national-security restrictions on networking equipment, removed the reimbursement and lodging provisions from the underlying bill, and adjusted the funding language, passed. The sponsor and several military witnesses testified that reserve and Guard members at places like Buckeye lack Wi-Fi, adequate HVAC, and lodging, forcing soldiers to use public libraries, personal devices, or sleep in cars or on armory floors. After debate over whether the state should fund needs tied to federal reserve units and how the money would be sourced, the committee recommended HB 2348 as amended by a 4-3 vote. The committee then took up House Concurrent Resolution 2016, a ballot referral that would cap precinct size at 2,500 registered voters and eliminate county authority to use vote centers, emergency voting centers, and certain on-site early voting options. The sponsor said the measure was intended to restore precinct-based voting and reflect voter preference, noting the change from an earlier 1,000-voter cap to 2,500 after feedback from county officials. County and advocacy witnesses opposed the resolution, arguing that vote centers provide flexibility, are often more cost-effective, and are necessary in rural counties and large counties like Maricopa; they also said precinct voting would require many more locations, staff, and equipment, and could force some counties into central-count tabulation. Supporters argued precinct voting improves voter confidence and access. The committee approved HCR 2016 for the ballot by a 4-3 vote. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2165, which exempts veterans from Arizona State Parks admission fees, and adopted the Marquez Amendment to extend the exemption to active military, National Guard, and reserve members and to broaden acceptable identification. Arizona State Parks testified in a neutral position, saying the agency is self-funded through user fees and already offers discounts to active duty, veterans, and disabled veterans, but warned that expanding free admission could affect park revenue and rural economies. The bill discussion ended with the amendment adopted and the measure moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Emily was not only a vital member of our team, but she was also an integral force behind our success
• Emily was not only a vital member of our team, but she was also an integral force behind our success
• Each of you has elevated the standard of education in our territory and secured a brighter future for
• Each of you has elevated the standard of education in our territory and secured a brighter future for
• integrity, and contribute to the misappropriation of its assets, as well as the actions and policies

Bills: HJR20

Keywords: energy conservation, gas-fired water heaters, Department of Energy, regulatory disapproval, energy standards

Transcript Highlights:

• Important integral programs that we're discussing right now.
• That includes developing integration with our eligibility systems, developing a full state team to manage
• These investments are part of our administration's efforts to advance the inclusion, integration, and
• Another 11,000 individuals that year were able to become U.S. citizens, which allows full integration
• They are integral members of our families, communities, workplaces, houses of worship, and our economy

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a little unfamiliar with my territory in my district.
• 29:04.720><c> my</c> They're I'm a little unfamiliar to my They're I'm a little unfamiliar to my territory
• </c><00:29:06.799><c> Um,</c><00:29:07.440><c> so</c><00:29:07.600><c> how</c> territory in my district
• Um, so how territory in my district.

Transcript Highlights:

• technologies and processes needed to enable professional reciprocity by and between states and territories
• reciprocity by and between<00:46:11.200><c> states</c><00:46:11.520><c> and</c><00:46:11.839><c> territories
• </c><00:46:12.480><c> for</c> between states and territories for between states and territories for veterans

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• We are one of the highest exporters of youth and brain power in the 50 United States and territories.
• :43:37.839><c> United</c><00:43:38.079><c> States</c><00:43:38.640><c> and</c><00:43:38.800><c> territories
• </c> the 50 United States and territories. the 50 United States and territories.

Bills: HB0032

Committee: Senate Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• And that being said, there are some outstanding undercollections, particularly in Liberty's territory
• collections uh particularly in um under collections uh particularly in Liberty's<00:19:27.840><c> territory
• that</c><00:19:28.960><c> have</c><00:19:29.200><c> not</c><00:19:29.440><c> been</c> Liberty's territory
• that have not been Liberty's territory that have not been reconciled<00:19:30.400><c> yet.

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• proposing a different measure without going into a subpar blind that could go into protected speech territory
• c> blind that could go into protected blind that could go into protected speech<00:48:44.880><c> territory
• </c> speech territory. speech territory.

Summary: The committee questioned KCNA officials about the Kentucky Wired network refresh, focusing on whether the equipment truly needed replacement now and what the vendor end-of-support dates were for the network’s layer 1, 2, and 3 equipment. Senators and representatives pressed for invoices, purchase orders, and vendor documentation, and KCNA staff explained that end-of-support dates vary by specific model and component, not just by broad product family. KCNA agreed to provide a detailed list of components, part numbers, and support dates, and acknowledged that some requested documentation had not yet been produced. A major point of discussion was the timing of the system refresh. KCNA said the 10-year refresh schedule comes from the project agreement, specifically Schedule 19, Section 2.1B, which requires the first system refresh to be completed by September 3, 2026. Committee members argued the network equipment appears to remain in service life for at least the next two years and questioned why an upgrade would be needed immediately. KCNA responded that failing to complete the refresh could excuse the service provider from contractual obligations and could constitute a material breach or default under the project and bond documents. Members also asked about network capacity and the impact on schools and state users. KCNA said it would need to check with Quark for an exact utilization figure, while the chair cited prior testimony that schools account for about 80% of traffic and KCNA about 20%. The committee raised concerns about schools not connected to the network and the effect of KCNA’s actions on continuity of service, while KCNA disputed that K-12 service had been put at risk. KCNA also explained the contract and payment structure: the Commonwealth’s project agreement runs through Kentucky Wired Infrastructure Corporation/Quark, with KEDA-issued bonds and funds flowing through Quark in a waterfall structure. The meeting ended with KCNA agreeing to request underlying vendor invoices from Quark, provide the requested contract documents, and supply information on the status of the wholesaler replacement procurement and related litigation. No formal vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• driven by this concept called the doctrine of discovery, which meant that they had the right to the territory
• which meant that they had the right to which meant that they had the right to the<01:59:49.599><c> territory
• 50.080><c> they</c><01:59:50.320><c> took</c><01:59:50.560><c> over</c><01:59:51.119><c> and</c> the territory
• they took over and the territory they took over and anything<01:59:51.760><c> on</c><01:59:52.080><c

Transcript Highlights:

• amendment talked about, it didn't specify that the tribal government would even have to be from Xcel territory
• government would even have to be from<01:03:51.359><c> um</c><01:03:52.359><c> EXL</c><01:03:52.920><c> territory
• </c><01:03:53.480><c> it</c><01:03:53.599><c> just</c><01:03:53.760><c> said</c> from um EXL territory
• it just said from um EXL territory it just said tribal<01:03:54.599><c> government</c><01:03:55.119>

Bills: HF1013 , HF1598 , HF1656 , HF2162

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: energy, economic development, funding, renewable resources, Clean Energy Economy Minnesota, air ventilation, geothermal, school financing, Minnesota Climate Innovative Finance Authority, geothermal energy, renewable energy, construction funding, Como Zoo, energy efficiency, HF2162, Minnesota, planning grants, renewable development account, clean energy, Department of Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• . with this integrated piece.
• We're integrating their support structure within our accounting framework.
• And with that is also the ancillary and third-party integrations.
• user experience, integration limitations we run into.
• Data analytics, workflow, integration, interoperability.

Summary: The committee met on the Minot State campus for a presentation from President Shirley and several university leaders on enrollment, academics, workforce initiatives, and partnerships. Shirley reviewed the university’s financial audits, noting mostly clean results with only minor technical findings in recent years, and highlighted Minot State’s major programs, specialized accreditations, and ties to Minot Air Force Base and NCAA Division II athletics. Members asked about education workforce shortages, athletic tuition waivers, dual credit incentives, and the university’s in-state tuition policy for all students. Shirley also discussed the university’s recruitment efforts, including the Hometown Pride and Academic Excellence scholarships, campus visit growth, and the Emerging Scholars dual-credit reimbursement program. A major focus was workforce development and new academic offerings supported by legislative Workforce Education Innovation Funds. Shirley described the new Innovation Engineering program, which was developed with industry input to train broadly skilled engineers for western North Dakota, and said it had already drawn more applicants than expected. Dr. Crystal St. Peter presented a new master’s program in counseling that integrates mental health and addiction counseling to address statewide provider shortages, with a hybrid format to reach rural students. Members asked about licensure requirements, internship hours, and job placement for graduates. Shirley also outlined a new nursing simulation center and health sciences space in downtown Minot, made possible by state support and the purchase of the former Trinity Health Center West building. The committee also heard about Minot State’s efforts to build pipelines into education and special education, including the Aspire program for rural high school students and an online paraprofessional-to-special-education degree pathway. Shirley said these programs, along with new articulation agreements and a large Bush Foundation grant, are intended to address teacher shortages and keep students in North Dakota. No formal committee votes or actions were taken during the presentation; the session consisted of informational updates and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• thing, but in order to protect ourselves, we have to now realize that every PRC national on our territory
• 10.720><c> our</c> realize that every PRC national on our realize that every PRC national on our territory
• can be utilized effectively as territory can be utilized effectively as an<00:07:13.759><c> enemy</c
• , integration, integration, um,<03:43:07.359><c> and</c><03:43:07.840><c> flexibility,</c><03:43:09.040
• </c><04:43:50.560><c> But</c><04:43:51.040><c> uh</c> Muscling in on their territory.

Committee: House Education Funding

Transcript Highlights:

• This is really to help integrate pieces together, get ideas flowing together.
• We're integrating their support structure within our accounting framework.
• And with that is also the ancillary and third-party integrations.
• Expensive and complex upgrades, outdated user experience, integration limitations.
• Data analytics, workflow, integration, interoperability.

Committee: Joint Higher Education Institutions Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• May it have an effect on a neighboring territory of another maybe a little bit, but I think people want
• May it have an effect on a neighboring territory of another maybe a little bit, but I think people want
• 06.799><c> neighboring</c> it have an effect on a neighboring it have an effect on a neighboring territory
• 08.000><c> maybe</c><00:59:08.240><c> a</c><00:59:08.400><c> little</c><00:59:08.480><c> bit,</c> territory
• of another maybe a little bit, territory of another maybe a little bit, but<00:59:08.880><c> I</c><00

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• And that obligation must be carried out faithfully, transparently, and with integrity.
• </c><05:00:51.760><c> For</c> transparently, and with integrity.
• For transparently, and with integrity.
• </c><05:01:35.360><c> period</c><05:01:36.000><c> without</c> during the territorial period without during
• the territorial period without the<05:01:36.638><c> compensation</c><05:01:37.120><c> to</c><05:01:37.360

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas from the earliest days, mining was foundational to the territorial economy, &gt;&gt; Whereas
• days, mining was foundational<00:50:28.800><c> to</c><00:50:29.040><c> the</c><00:50:29.200><c> territorial
• Whereas from the earliest days, mining was foundational to the territorial economy, population growth
• Whereas the mining industry contributed immensely to making the territory into a state, helped the rugged
• Different offices have or maybe don't have what is sometimes called a conviction integrity unit or a