Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Committee on Rules will come to order.
• Eastman had violated certain rules of the State Bar, in particular rules that prohibit all lawyers, whoever
• The State Auditor has also identified ongoing structural pressures in recent years.
• Also identified ongoing structural pressures in recent years.
• You've done a fantastic job as the new Rules Chair.

Committee: Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:06:23.000><c> and</c> Commission is to regulate the rules and Commission is to regulate the rules
• That's a structural problem.
• That's a structural problem.
• That's a structural problem.
• That's a structural problem.

Bills: HB586

Committee: Senate Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• The rules also provide provisions for charging interest on claims that do not meet these thresholds,
• And 95% of the time, the clean claims are paid, or at least that's what's already in the payment rules
• I want to commend Representative Rule. She had the companion to this bill in the House.
• Really grateful for the support and the Senate grateful for Representative Rule and the...
• While that structure can work effectively in many instances, it does not provide a clear expectation

Bills: SB5915 , SB5988 , SB6025 , SJM8002

Committee: House Health Care & Wellness

Keywords: SB 5915, health technology assessment, HTA, clinical committee, medical technology review, coverage determination, state-purchased health care, Washington health care, RCW, evidence-based medicine, cost-effectiveness, safety and efficacy, Medicare coverage, national coverage determination, clinical guidelines, patient advocacy, public comment, medical necessity, rare disease, life-threatening disease

Transcript Highlights:

• Under rules established by the Office of Financial Regulation, the bill accomplishes three things: it
• stake in this to understand that the Office of Financial Regulation has the authority to make the rules
• Obviously, the Department of Revenue will be granted emergency rulemaking powers to implement rules to
• adopt rules to implement this tax cut.
• And I also want to emphasize that Florida has a very regressive tax structure, partly because we are

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on April 2, 2025, with a quorum present and took up four bills. The committee first heard HB 4041, which would create the Corkscrew Grove Stewardship District in Collier County to finance and maintain infrastructure such as transportation, utilities, and stormwater systems without changing county regulatory authority. The bill drew no opposition, was reported favorably, and passed 14-0. The committee then considered HB 1485, which repeals Florida’s aviation fuel tax provisions. The sponsor argued the change would simplify the tax code, attract airline investment, and support lower fares and more routes. Members raised concerns about the estimated recurring $22.8 million impact on the State Transportation Trust Fund and $2 million on general revenue, and airport representatives warned of reduced grant and development funding, especially for general aviation and municipal airports. Supporters said the change would increase competition and fuel sales in Florida. The bill was reported favorably on a 12-5 vote. Next, the committee heard HB 999, which would recognize gold and silver as legal tender, allow electronic debit access to bullion accounts, and remove tax burdens on transactions involving precious metals. The sponsor and supporters described the bill as a way to protect purchasing power and provide an alternative parallel to the dollar, while opponents and some members raised concerns about consumer protections, predatory practices, privacy, and the role of the Office of Financial Regulation in rulemaking. After extensive testimony, the bill was reported favorably 19-0. Finally, the committee considered PCB WMC 25-01, which would reduce the state sales tax rate from 6% to 5.25% and also lower several related taxes, including the business rent tax, nonresidential electricity tax, mobile home sales tax, and coin-operated amusement machine tax. The proposal was estimated to reduce revenue by about $5.5 billion annually. Members discussed impacts on the budget, education funding, and whether savings would reach consumers, while supporters emphasized relief for Floridians and business competitiveness. The bill passed unanimously 19-0 and was reported favorably. The chair then noted a prior procedural apology on the record, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a three-minute rule in this committee that applies to any witnesses at the table, authors as
• Not saying that every student abided by the rules, but for the most part they did.
• Now, the rule was that if you walk out of class, you have She wanted to come back in the classroom.
• That's what happens when women are given structure, support, and stability.
• That step-down support gave me the structure and stability I needed to find my footing.

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee first handled several criminal justice bills related to evidence, juror privacy, probation, and sex offender supervision. HB 95, by Rep. Lecombe, updates an older statute to allow electronic access to videotaped forensic interviews of protected persons for prosecutors, defense counsel, courts, and other authorized persons; it was reported favorably. HB 55, by Rep. Villio, prohibits public disclosure of juror identifying information such as names, addresses, and contact information; after testimony from District Attorney Tony Clayton about juror harassment and intimidation, the committee adopted a small amendment removing outdated language and reported the bill favorably with amendments. HB 125, by Rep. Horton, revises supervised release for certain sex offenders to address jurisdiction and notification issues, especially when violations occur outside Louisiana; after testimony from DOC and probation and parole officials and a witness describing victim-protection monitoring, it was reported favorably with amendments. HB 158, also by Rep. Horton, increases the maximum custodial treatment period for technical probation violations from 90 to 180 days, but witnesses raised concerns that the language was too broad and could impose extra jail time beyond treatment; the author agreed to work on clarifying language before floor debate, and the bill was reported favorably. HB 169, by Rep. Horton, makes probationers or parolees responsible for extradition costs if they are able to pay, and it was reported favorably. The committee then considered HB 133, by Rep. Newell, which strengthens penalties and treatment requirements for battery of a school teacher and related offenses. A large amendment package was adopted to add aggravated battery and second-degree battery involving students or school employees, define terms, require counseling and evaluations in certain juvenile cases, and adjust juvenile disposition provisions. Teachers and supporters testified about assaults in schools and the need to protect educators, while district attorneys warned that some of the amended language—especially the shift to “serious bodily injury” and some definitional changes—could make prosecutions harder or create unintended constitutional issues. Rep. Newell agreed to continue working with prosecutors to tighten the language before the bill reaches the floor, and HB 133 was reported favorably as amended. Later, the committee heard HB 821 by Rep. McFarland, which moves the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools from GOSEP to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement; the change was described as largely administrative and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also took up HB 399 by Rep. Zerang, which extends the terminally ill/incapacitated inmate release window from 60 to 120 days. Secretary Gary Westcott and DOC officials explained that the program is tightly vetted, applies to inmates who are truly at end of life, and includes victim notification and maximum supervision; supporters, including medical and faith-based witnesses, emphasized dignity, hospice care, and the practical need for more time to complete release planning. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, HB 296 by Rep. Knox repeals the inactive Reentry Advisory Council and the Offender Rehabilitation Workforce Development Act, and HB 168 by Rep. Freiburg creates a transitional reentry program for female parolees within six months of release; both were presented as public-safety and reentry measures, with strong support from reentry advocates, business groups, and faith-based organizations, and both were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes ensuring we have the right technology and organizational structure to enable our personnel
• And so as to the structure I'm not yet in the department and can't speak authoritatively about the best
• structure, but I can tell you from my government experience and the threat that the Chinese activity
• Restrictions and rules include that would touch upon any type of domestic deployment. So, Mr.
• So I'm glad that you Testified that you will follow the rule of law and that the independence of the

Committees: Senate Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities , Senate Subcommittee on Seapower , Senate Subcommittee on Strategic Forces , Senate Subcommittee on Personnel

Keywords: national security, nuclear energy, Department of Defense, military readiness, public commentary, nominations

Summary: The meeting convened with a focus on the scrutiny of various nominations and their implications for national security. Mr. Brandon Williams was nominated as the Undersecretary of Energy for Nuclear Security, drawing attention to the pressing need to modernize the U.S. nuclear arsenal amid growing threats from other countries. This was echoed in discussions led by committee members who expressed concern over military readiness and the management of military installations, with emphasis on ensuring accountability within the Department of Defense. Public commentary was notably supportive of the nominations, although some concerns were raised regarding the administration's broader strategies.

Transcript Highlights:

• . structures. structures.
• ,</c> administrative administrative structure, administrative administrative structure, ensures<01:27
• We don't set the eligibility rules.
• </c> what we have. 9502 stays in a rule. what we have. 9502 stays in a rule.
• </c> the rules in a single place. the rules in a single place.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't have a backup other than, you know, if we change our rules.
• </c><00:21:24.400><c> So</c> our rules. So our rules.
• you know we let me let me let me rules you know we let me let me let me start<00:24:45.600><c> stop<
• There's other things that we're working on, but in the meantime, since we don't, in our current rule
• ,</c> then we have to pay 53% under our rules, then we have to pay 53% under our rules, 53%<00:37:20.320

Summary: The subcommittee heard a budget overview from the Kentucky Court of Justice focused on mandated services and several growth items in the judicial branch budget. Court officials said the requests were driven by legal and contractual obligations, including higher contractor rates for court interpreters and IT support, annual software-as-a-service costs, and upgrades to the court’s audiovisual record system (JAVS). They also discussed local facilities needs tied to Jefferson County lease space and the Boyle County Courthouse, though the bulk of the presentation centered on the court’s technology and service-delivery costs. Members asked detailed questions about interpreter services, including whether services are provided in person, by phone, or by Zoom, and whether Kentucky could train and certify more local interpreters instead of relying on contractors from around the country. Court officials said the certification process is rigorous, that the branch is working with the National Center for State Courts on an apprenticeship program, and that they believe Kentucky may have flexibility to develop state-level certification if it meets court needs. They also said they are exploring technology and AI tools for translation, but have not found a solution that reliably handles complex courtroom context. Representative Sharp asked whether cases had been delayed for lack of interpreters; officials said they could provide aggregated data later. The court also described its major IT modernization effort, including a statewide case management system, e-filing, and maintenance of many legacy applications. Officials said contractor rates need to be raised to compete for skilled labor during the implementation phase, but that those costs should decline once the new systems are fully built and only maintained. They explained that part of the request covers three SaaS initiatives: ongoing subscription costs for existing systems, annual fees for the CaseWorks system used in pretrial and specialty courts after federal grant funding ends, and adoption of DocuSign to streamline invoicing, procurement, and contract execution. In response to questions from Representative KC Carney, they said cybersecurity is taken seriously, that they recently conducted a tabletop exercise, and that some risk shifts to cloud vendors under contract, though no separate cybersecurity line item was included. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on the JAVS audiovisual court-record system. Court officials said not all courtrooms are on the same version, and they want funding to bring all locations up to the current version and prepare for version 9, which they said would standardize the system statewide and support the official court record. When asked about costs, they said each upgrade can cost about $70,000 to $80,000 per system, that they aim to upgrade about 50 per year, and that the request reflects the need to keep pace with a four-year refresh cycle. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this allows an HRS structure for law enforcement to cite vehicles for inappropriately not registered
• So this allows an HRS structure for law enforcement to cite vehicles for inappropriately not registered
• So this allows an HRS structure for law enforcement to cite vehicles for inappropriately not registered
• </c><01:15:44.200><c> for</c><01:15:44.320><c> law</c> So this allows an HRS structure for law So this
• allows an HRS structure for law enforcement<01:15:45.000><c> to</c><01:15:45.120><c> cite</c><01:15:

Bills: HB1752 , SB2053 , SB2494 , SB2851 , SB3073 , HB1678 , HB1721 , HB2475 , HB2246 , HB1667 , HB1516 , SB2532 , SB3131 , SB3154 , HB2297 , HB1737 , SB2143 , SB2398 , SB2623 , HB1740 , HB1920 , HB1682 , SB2153 , SB3140 , HB1515 , SB2835 , HB2282 , SB3083 , SB2031 , SB2519 , SB2667 , SB2140 , SB2544 , SB2069 , SB2697 , SB874 , SB2043 , SB888 , SB2721 , HB2152 , HB1334 , HB2385 , HB1643 , HB2314 , HB1688 , HB1692 , SB2568 , SB2983 , SB2108 , SB3136 , HB1959 , SB3156 , HB1511 , HB1753 , HB1824 , HB2137 , HB1810 , HB2279 , HB2309 , HB1548 , HB2078 , HB2293 , SB3262 , SB2169 , SB2607 , SB2964 , SB3255 , HB2576 , HB1481 , HB1864 , HB1550 , SB2818 , SB3067 , SB2061 , HB1728 , HB1881 , HB2361 , HB2395 , HB1823 , SB2050 , SB2397 , SB2876 , SB2175 , SB2852 , SB847 , SB3001

Transcript Highlights:

• enough new committee members and committee members who don't really remember what the statutes and rules
• The committee will also consider rules proposed by the NMFA. The committee...
• We talked about—and we first set up these structures—about being nonpartisan.
• Does that 75% rule only apply to DLAs? Madam Chair, no.
• So, as is a standard rule of construction in statutes, the specific trumps the general.

Committee: House Legislative Council

Transcript Highlights:

• It has to pass out of rules for calendaring. We need at least 68, if not more.
• It has to pass out of rules for calendaring, so I think what you normally see at the end, it's going
• I can understand that some of that was structural, so knowing that there was structural money, some of
• so knowing that there was structural so knowing that there was structural<00:08:52.839><c> money</c>
• money some of it in the $18 structural money some of it in the $18 billion<00:08:55.640><c> means</c

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee rules.
• Today under House Rule 4, Section 13, House committees are subject to the same rules of decorum that
• There are no substantive differences between the draft rules for our committee and the model rules distributed
• Our rules are the same as any standing committee in the House, so our rules have already been adopted
• They understand the incident command structure. structure, how to mobilize and use the incident command

Committee: House Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select

Transcript Highlights:

• Fragmentation describes how systems are structured.
• One describes a structure; the other describes a consequence.
• This is the work ahead, not just improving access with existing structures, but examining how those structures
• This is the work ahead, not just improving access with existing structures, but examining how those structures
• These structural barriers do not disappear with age.

Summary: The Select Committee on Older LGBTQ Californians held an inaugural hearing focused on the health care and support landscape for older LGBTQ Californians, including people aging with HIV and transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex seniors. Opening remarks emphasized the long history of discrimination faced by older LGBTQ adults, the growth of the aging LGBTQ population, and the need to translate existing state commitments into concrete services. Senators highlighted concerns about nursing home vulnerability, the aging of people living with HIV, and the impact of federal actions and Medicaid cuts on California’s safety net. The first panel featured Justice in Aging, CalHHS, the Department of Aging, and the Aging and HIV Institute. Testimony described widespread inequities, including discrimination, social isolation, economic insecurity, and gaps in culturally competent care. State officials outlined the Master Plan for Aging, the first statewide survey of LGBTQIA older adults, gender-affirming care protections in Medi-Cal, and efforts to improve coordination across departments. Advocates argued the state has been too slow to respond to federal threats and that services are often hard to find or fragmented. Committee members pressed the departments on how survey findings are being turned into action, how rural and underserved communities are being reached, and whether more formal stakeholder coordination or “no wrong door” access systems are needed. The second panel focused on seniors living with HIV. A long-term survivor gave emotional testimony about the “survivorship penalty,” loss of benefits, housing insecurity, and the need for legal and navigation support, housing assistance, and protection from outdated disability standards. The Department of Aging reported on implementation of SB 258, which added HIV status to the definition of greatest social need for area agencies on aging; it said 20 of 33 area plans now identify HIV as a target population and many include specific strategies, such as LGBTQIA mental health connections programs. The Office of AIDS described Project Cornerstone, Ryan White, ADAP, HOPWA, the Medi-Cal waiver, and PrEP-AP, noting these programs serve thousands of older clients and rely on whole-person case management. Case management testimony underscored persistent needs for medication subsidies, transportation, food, and housing. Committee members questioned how ADAP rebate funds might be used, how SB 258 is enforced across local agencies, and how to reduce administrative barriers and auto-connect eligible people to benefits. The final panel began with the Department of Social Services outlining protections for TGI seniors in licensed care facilities, including SB 219’s nondiscrimination requirements and related provider notices and resident rights materials. The hearing remained focused on identifying service gaps, improving coordination across aging, health, and social service systems, and ensuring state programs better reflect the lived experience of older LGBTQ Californians.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let me announce the ground rules here.
• The ground rules today, just as they've always been, are that we'll take two primary witnesses in support
• Vallejo ruled that limits on independent expenditures are unconstitutional.
• However, models like management service organizations and alternative business structures have created
• Yeah, so the rules around a permanent restraining order are still the same.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• In a different state or different aspect, I don't always remember what those rules were in that.
• That the major parties play, then we should play by the same rules.
• We've had numerous people who don't run because of the way that the filing fees are structured.
• Not because of the fact that the filing fees exist, but because of the way they are structured.
• In fact, the petition structure is the same, so it's the same.

Bills: HB2139 , HB2253 , HB3632 , HB4171 , HB4309 , HB4508 , SB760 , SB1470

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: voting access, polling place, disability, caretaker provisions, ballot delivery, election code, HB 2253, Texas Election Code, bond election, bond issuance, local government, election cancellation, disaster declaration, natural disaster, emergency election, county election officer, polling place notice, open meeting, election workers, voter safety

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to be disclosed and rules apply.
• ,</c><02:07:36.719><c> financial</c> ownership structure, financial ownership structure, financial condition
• It also addresses a structural issue in statute.
• </c> capped benefit structure. capped benefit structure.
• So, we hard-earned uh benefit rules.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it something being created by the rule and I am missing it? Chair: You are recognized. Rep.
• Cross: You know, updating the Florida stormwater rule a couple years ago.
• Gonzalez Pittman: This is a strike all and removes the original structure of the bill Rep.
• And the structure is laid out not only within this regulation but also within the rules being created
• and the rule still does not have the definition, and the rule refers you back to the statute where we

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:28.080><c> number</c><00:02:28.720><c> seven</c> period rule number seven period rule number
• </c><00:03:32.519><c> number</c> question and answer period rule number question and answer period rule
• </c><00:04:24.199><c> are</c> opposed the rules are opposed the rules are adopted<00:04:26.440><c> uh
• </c><00:27:21.600><c> any</c> pursuant to our joint rules any pursuant to our joint rules any candidate
• </c> you okay members so purum to our rules you okay members so purum to our rules the<00:53:40.200><

Transcript Highlights:

• ... ...by the PEC and already have a regulatory structure in place.
• Their support structure is so amazing for parents who are battling with illness.
• This bill does not just change funding formulas or oversight rules.
• We need to see the rules, see what the rulemaking is going to be.
• They must comply with all state statutes and rules.

Bills: HB2 , SB204 , SB241 , HB34

Committee: House House Education

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, higher education, research funding, federal funding, New Mexico, appropriation, University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool

Transcript Highlights:

• We've had a squabble this spring with EPA and their new rule on elimination of really routine flaring
• And if you go back to the crude-by-rail issue and the rules that we enforced, making you basically heat
• So I would say most of those, because of those rules, most of the liquids are now being put into an oil
• And the fence—the current fence went around about half the structure.
• Structural, Martin Mechanical, and Prairie Engineering. OMB will lease spaces to HP and BCI.

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum and approved the March 18 minutes. The committee first heard an update from the Petroleum Council on oil and gas activity in North Dakota. Ron Ness said production is expected to remain relatively flat at just under 1.2 million barrels per day, with efficiency gains and longer laterals helping offset lower rig counts. He discussed oil and gas prices, gas taxation, flaring concerns, northward movement of drilling activity, and the importance of new infrastructure and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) pilots. Members asked about gas taxation, natural gas liquids, pipeline impacts, and the outlook for Continental and other operators. Ness said the industry is likely to remain steady rather than see a major ramp-up or decline. Matt Pearl of the State Tax Department then explained the federal “big beautiful bill” and its effect on North Dakota income tax collections. He said the law extends or makes permanent several federal provisions and creates temporary deductions for seniors, tips, overtime, and auto loan interest, with the biggest state impact coming from the standard deduction increase and business tax changes. He revised earlier estimates downward, saying the net cash impact on state collections is likely in the $30 million to $35 million range after accounting for business prepayments and one-time FY25 oilfield transaction effects. Committee members asked which provisions apply to standard versus itemized returns. OMB staff gave a detailed update on major capital projects and facility funding. Topics included Capitol grounds improvements such as 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding, seating, lighting, tree management, and restroom and lobby upgrades; security work at the governor’s residence, which has been delayed by the discovery of human remains; and space reconfiguration efforts in Bismarck-Mandan to reduce leases and create shared offices and conference rooms. They also reported on the State Facility Maintenance Fund, including roof, window, boiler, and kitchen projects at state facilities, and on the state hospital project in Jamestown, which remains on budget and on schedule for substantial completion in winter 2027 and opening in spring 2028. OMB also updated the committee on the Minot North Central State Office Building, the use of federal State Fiscal Recovery Funds, and the status of legislative intent and trust fund reports, including school aid turnback, the school construction loan program, the Foundation Aid Stabilization Fund, the Legacy Fund, and the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund. The committee ended by discussing future agenda items, including government efficiency, cash management, Bank of North Dakota lines of credit, and the rural health transformation program, and then adjourned.