Transcript Highlights:

• application, where we divide that out and do...
• Predominantly one application, the Connect ND application, where we divide that out and do an allocation-style
• I would say, and most complex applications remain.
• I also called out a web application firewall service.
• Is there anything that's applicable to what you're doing?

Summary: The Information Technology Committee approved the March 26 minutes and received a series of reports from NDIT on major IT projects, the annual report, mainframe modernization, and cybersecurity services. The project portfolio was reported at 116 major projects with a baseline cost of $546 million, overall under budget but modestly behind schedule. Several projects that had been in variance status last quarter were said to have closed, including HHS bed management, vital records modernization, and DOT roadway capital planning. New startup reports were mostly HHS efforts tied to refugee data management, technical debt cleanup, and legacy application decommissioning, while closeouts included HHS, OMB, DPI, and DOT projects with mixed budget and schedule results. In the annual report discussion, NDIT described its service-fund financials, peer-state rate comparisons, records management reporting, and customer satisfaction efforts. Members asked about how revenues and grants flow through the service fund, how NDIT charges agencies for services, and whether customer satisfaction or CSAT scores are tracked and could be reported more regularly. NDIT said it does track service-team CSAT and survey data, and committee members encouraged more regular reporting of those metrics. The committee also discussed application portfolio management, statewide IT planning, and whether agencies should slow new system replacements while the state pursues an ERP system. The mainframe update focused on the state’s ongoing effort to retire legacy systems by about 2030. NDIT and HHS said the work is being managed as a tech-debt program, but progress is slowed by data cleanup, integration complexity, staff retirements, vendor capacity, and federal requirements. Members asked whether there is a coordinated commitment and whether additional vendor support or consultants are needed; NDIT said it is working jointly with HHS and is seeking an RFP to help accelerate modernization. The cybersecurity presentation then shifted to statewide maturity assessments and services. NDIT said it provides endpoint protection, vulnerability scanning, security awareness training, threat briefings, and penetration testing, and that assessments are based on CIS controls. Members raised concerns about low participation in the self-assessment process, the lack of mandatory reporting or audit authority, and whether insurance incentives through Enderf or possible State Auditor involvement could improve compliance. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• the governor to ask that an application the governor to ask that an application go<01:33:31.600>
• applications apply to this. applications apply to this.
• <01:39:50.520> And applicant nor the victim. And applicant nor the victim.
• The applicant would appear.
• The applicant would appear.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Public Safety Policy Conference Committee met on May 8, 2026, with all conferees present. The chair opened with decorum instructions, explained that the meeting was policy-only, and noted that no public testimony had been signed up. Members then introduced themselves, with several noting they were retiring at the end of the session or year. The committee adopted a series of provisions, mostly by unanimous voice vote, including House language on identity theft and financial crimes updates, supervision abatement and restitution considerations for corrections, protective-order enhancements for murder penalties, prediction markets, victim-notification requirements for plea and sentencing hearings, research data privacy, ignition interlock and impaired-driving license changes, DOC licensing and sanctions for juvenile/adult community-based residential facilities, criminal-conviction employment and licensing standards, jail medication procedures, domestic abuse law changes, and a grant-use extension for dual-status/crossover youth funding. Several items were described as technical or clarifying changes, while others updated law to address AI-related identity theft, foreign protective orders, victim privacy, and corrections oversight. The committee also heard discussion on a Senate provision allowing victims of domestic violence to petition for wireless account and phone-number transfers. A witness supported the concept but urged changes to better align the state language with existing federal law; members noted the issue might need another vehicle or further work. For the domestic abuse item, staff explained that an A15 amendment would later adjust the warrantless-arrest window from 28 days to 14 days. On the jail-medication item, a member emphasized the changes were clarifying and not an admission that last year’s law was flawed. All adopted provisions passed by voice vote without opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• Applications opened last fall and we received, I think, a record-breaking 1,000 eligible applications
• We did have applications from 85 counties, and we are looking at all of those applications right now
• <00:20:25.480> open for the full Grant uh applications open for the full Grant uh applications
• record break 1,00 eligible applications record break 1,00 eligible applications uh<00:20:31.640>
• of those um all of those applications of those um all of those applications right<00:20:44.039><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, Madam Chair and Paula, is the $5 million derived by how many applicants you had asking for how much
• Madam Chair, Representative, there is an application process. They do turn in an application.
• The engineering design applications are due in March, and the construction applications are due in May
• Madam Chair and Representative Zamora, the number of engineering applications has tended to be smaller
• than construction applications, and we do have a list.

Bills: SB193

Keywords: SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• do recommend within our testimony one amendment in regards to complete and accurate accuracy of applications
• to the expeditious redevelopment and development of affordable rental housing. accuracy of uh applications
• submitted to accuracy of uh applications submitted to the<00:14:58.720> Department<00:14:59.320
• They said that because it included a special ordinance that was applicable to us, that could be deemed
• <00:16:26.880> to ordinance that appli was applicable to ordinance that appli was applicable

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Housing Committee met on March 19 for a brief public hearing on two bills. SB 79 SD1, relating to historic preservation reviews, drew support from HHFDC, DLNR/SHIPY, and NAOP Hawaiʻi, with NAOP recommending a technical amendment to ensure applications submitted to the department are complete and accurate. No opposition or questions were raised during the hearing. The committee also heard SB 170 SD2 HD1, relating to the expeditious redevelopment and development of affordable rental housing. Testimony was generally supportive, including from HHFDC, Hal Māhu, Pacific Commercial Realty, KCOM Corporation, the Green Party of Hawaiʻi, the Maui Chamber of Commerce, and several individuals, with one person testifying in opposition. Supporters emphasized the need to speed affordable housing redevelopment, especially for Lahaina fire victims, displaced residents, workers, and people experiencing homelessness. A KCOM representative described proposed technical amendments to avoid special-law concerns and to clarify that a permit in process with the county should be sufficient if an emergency proclamation expires before completion. In decision-making, the committee voted to pass SB 79 SD1 with amendments and to pass SB 170 SD2 HD1 with substantial amendments. For SB 170, the chair described amendments to incorporate Pacific Commercial Realty’s proposed changes, clarify application-completeness requirements, exclude shoreline- and erosion-impacted parcels, remove references to flooding and tsunami, clarify an exemption from HRS 343 for certain permanently affordable multifamily projects in the SMA on historic properties, and move the bill’s provisions into statute. Representatives Cochran, Kagawa, and Peric were excused on the vote. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to have their application redacted as far as any...
• The first two... qualified applicants.
• Despite this, losing applicants in the vertical license category have chosen to stall the process yet
• The same applicants were given the opportunity to participate in a mediation process that allowed them
• . ...applicants but the entire process in itself could drag out for much longer.

Bills: SB185, SB194, SB72

Keywords: veterinary medicine, veterinarian-client-patient relationship, prescription refills, animal care, regulatory compliance, agriculture authority, eminent domain, property rights, tax exemption, agriculture center, medical cannabis, cannabis license, integrated facility license, Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission, AMCC, medical marijuana, dispensary, cultivation, processing, license appeal

Transcript Highlights:

• in the fall of 2022, even though those applicants were rated as recommended for admission.
• in the fall of 2022, even though those applicants were rated as recommended for admission, including
• Last year, 77% of community college applicants were admitted.
• But we are not satisfied with a system where too many students never reach the application stage.
• Our focus is clear to increase transfer enrollment, approve credit applicability, implement as Thank

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , on physical or electronic applications, and on their properties. ...on physical or electronic applications
• The bill also allows an application fee to be returned within five business days to an applicant upon
• request if an application fee is charged prior to the disclosure.
• are already well into the application process and have paid application fees.
• Nothing's going to happen until they get to the application process.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee heard several bills, with testimony focused on end-of-life medical orders, CARE Court participation, HOA fee transparency, custody protections for sexual assault survivors, groundwater enforcement, pet policy disclosure in rentals, and restrictions on post-wildfire property solicitation. SB 1088 would modernize POLST and pre-hospital DNR rules by renaming POLST as Portable Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment, allowing electronic signatures, clarifying who may sign on a patient’s behalf, recognizing out-of-state forms, and reaffirming that completion is voluntary; it drew support from the Coalition for Compassionate Care and no opposition. SB 1242 would let original family petitioners participate in CARE Court care coordination and information-sharing even without the respondent’s consent, while preserving judicial discretion to limit participation; supporters said it would improve care coordination, and Disability Rights California opposed it as coercive and harmful to respondents who may not want family involvement. The committee discussed the balance between family support and privacy, and SB 1242 passed 7-0 on call. SB 1007 would require more HOA transparency, including clearer budget comparisons and evidence for violations, and would limit regular assessment increases without a homeowner vote, while leaving special and emergency assessments intact. Supporters argued homeowners need more information and protection from steep fee hikes; opponents said the cap could impair associations’ ability to cover rising insurance and maintenance costs. Members raised concerns about flexibility and planning, but the bill passed 6-1 on call. SB 1364, as amended, would lower the burden for survivors of sexual assault to block custody or visitation rights for a perpetrator when a child was conceived through the assault, using a clear-and-convincing standard and aligning the law with federal grant requirements; it passed 8-0 on call after opposition argued the bill could deny children a relationship with a parent. The committee also approved SB 997, which grants the North Fork Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency lien authority to enforce fees and sustainability rules, with supporters saying it would help avoid litigation and maintain local control; it passed 9-0 on call. SB 1296 would require landlords to disclose pet policies up front on applications, websites, and ads, and allow application-fee refunds if disclosure was not provided before payment; supporters said it would reduce wasted fees and pet relinquishment, while landlord groups said the ad and disclosure requirements could be impractical for small owners. That bill passed 8-0 on call. Finally, SB 1090 was presented to bar large property owners from making unsolicited purchase offers for five years in wildfire disaster areas, aimed at preventing predatory post-disaster speculation; the author and a supporter described aggressive investor outreach to fire victims, especially in Altadena, as the committee moved on to that bill’s testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also allows an application fee to be returned within five business days to an applicant, upon
• request, if the fee is charged before disclosure. ...days to an applicant upon their request if an application
• process and have paid application fees.
• This means fewer wasted applications, Viable housing options before applying.
• Nothing's going to happen until they get the application process.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee heard several bills focused on health care planning, mental health court participation, homeowners association governance, groundwater enforcement, pet-policy disclosure in rentals, and post-disaster property speculation. SB 1088 would update California’s POLST and DNR laws by renaming POLST to Portable Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment, allowing electronic signatures, clarifying who may sign on a patient’s behalf, and making clear that these forms are voluntary; it drew support from the Coalition for Compassionate Care and no opposition. SB 1242 would let original family petitioners participate in CARE Court for care coordination and information-sharing, while preserving judicial discretion to exclude them if harmful; supporters said it would improve treatment coordination, while Disability Rights California opposed it as coercive and a removal of patient consent. The committee advanced SB 1242 on a 7-0 vote, with the bill placed on call. The committee also considered SB 1007, which would require more HOA budget transparency, disclosure of evidence for violations, and a lower cap on regular assessment increases without a homeowner vote. Supporters argued it would improve accountability and protect homeowners from steep fee hikes, while HOA industry groups warned it could undermine funding for insurance, maintenance, and other operating costs. Members raised concerns about the cap and the need for flexibility for large expenses; the bill passed 6-1 and was placed on call. SB 1364, as amended, would prevent a person convicted of sexual assault from obtaining custody or visitation of a child conceived from that assault, while preserving the possibility of voluntary co-parenting and aiming to qualify California for federal grant funding; it passed 8-0 and was placed on call. Later, SB 997 would give the North Fork Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency lien authority to enforce fees and its groundwater sustainability plan, addressing an enforcement gap for a GSA created by special legislation rather than a joint powers agreement. It drew support from agricultural and county groups and passed 9-0, placed on call. SB 1296 would require landlords to disclose pet policies up front on applications, websites, and ads, and allow refund of an application fee if disclosure was not provided before payment; supporters said it would reduce wasted application costs and pet relinquishment, while rental housing groups said the ad disclosure requirements were impractical. The bill passed 8-0 and was placed on call. The final bill, SB 1090, was introduced to prohibit large property owners from making unsolicited purchase offers for five years in wildfire-disaster areas, responding to investor activity after the Eaton and Palisades fires; the author and a SAGE witness described it as a protection against disaster capitalism and predatory low offers to displaced residents.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are the provisions that allow public employers to determine whether an applicant for an employment
• And then it allows the employers to deny employment to certain applicants who were previously convicted
• And then it allows the employers to deny employment to certain applicants who were previously convicted
• whether an applicant for an employment<00:04:30.960> who<00:04:31.080> was<00:04:31.200
• <00:04:40.160> who employment to certain applicants who employment to certain applicants who

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 3990, Chair Novotny’s bill, as the vehicle for a public safety policy package. Members were told the DE1 amendment had been posted for public review, so no formal action would be taken at this meeting; the committee planned to act on the bill at the next hearing on March 25. Chair Novotny said questions from Judiciary on the original bill had been addressed or were still being worked on, and he expressed hope the bill would pass out the next day. Non-partisan staff walked through the DE1 amendment, explaining that it combines multiple bills into one package. The included provisions covered BCA fraud investigations and administrative subpoenas, disaster assistance reporting dates, DOC policy on substance use and TV screening, raising the kratom possession/sale age to 21, DOC facility licensing, restitution considerations for early release, BCA data collection and local law enforcement reimbursements, public employer review of applicants with criminal convictions, victim notification and minor-victim privacy protections, second-degree murder language involving out-of-state protection orders, increased penalties for certain coercion offenses tied to non-consensual image dissemination, and reporting when law enforcement deploys chemical irritants. No one signed up to testify, and there were no votes or formal amendments acted on during the meeting. The chair noted that additional amendments were expected at the next hearing, and the meeting adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• As of noon today, we were just over 154,000 applications.
• So we are using that as the date that will still accept applications.
• So various applications that individual agencies have, as well as some enterprise-style applications.
• Applications that individual agencies have, as well as some enterprise-style applications such as Connect
• ND, those applications, the servers to run it, disk for the storage of the data that those applications

Summary: The Government Finance Committee met with new leadership, approved the December 11 minutes, and received a series of informational updates on the state’s finances and related policy issues. The Office of Management and Budget reported the general fund is tracking very close to forecast, with revenues about $2 million above forecast and an estimated ending balance of about $397 million, higher than previously expected. OMB also reviewed balances in major funds, including the budget stabilization fund, legacy fund, foundation aid stabilization fund, social services fund, and strategic investment and improvements fund, and answered questions about oil tax revenues and fund management. The Tax Department provided updates on taxable sales and purchases by county and industry, noting Cass County as the largest county by taxable sales and that retail trade remains the largest industry sector. Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus also discussed the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its estimated effects on North Dakota income tax collections, explaining that the projected revenue impacts are measured against a 2025 baseline and that some provisions are temporary while others are permanent. He also reported that primary residence tax credit applications were running ahead of last year, with more than 154,000 received so far and an expectation of roughly 160,000-plus applications. The committee also heard fee-study presentations from the Department of Transportation and the Information Technology Department. DOT explained that driver’s license fees cover only about half of program costs and that the shortfall is subsidized by the highway fund, while also noting recent changes such as the blackout plate and motor vehicle excise tax distribution changes. NDIT described its internal service fund model, current billing structure, and possible future changes to simplify invoices and billing frequency. Legislative staff also updated the committee on office space needs in Bismarck-Mandan and on legislative branch space planning, and subcommittees reported progress on fixed-route transit funding and regional jail capacity, including a visit to the Burleigh-Morton detention facility and discussion of future prison bed needs. No formal votes or legislative actions beyond approving the minutes were taken, and the committee adjourned with its next meeting set for June 25.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are modernizing several. mission-critical applications including TIERS.
• to go to each application, re-enroll each time.
• They, the code is is scattered across these applications.
• On slide 42, after an application application is submitted online or in person, the application review
• Our staff conduct interviews with TANF and SNAP applicants to verify their information.

Bills: HB150, HB869, HB876, HB 1043, HB1494, HB1522, HB150

Keywords: cybersecurity, state command, information resources, data protection, incident response, information technology, classification officer, job descriptions, state positions, competency-based, information sharing, government efficiency, public sector, private sector, distributed ledger, title registry, real estate, property liens, pilot program, healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• We appreciate that the bill does not fully go back to pre-2010 when applicants...
• I mean, just to fill out the federal application—I brought it with me.
• This is the federal application.
• I mean, just to fill out the federal application—I brought it with me.
• This is the federal application.

Bills: SB1021, SB1144, SB1164, SB1178, SB1181, SB1241, SB1247, SB1286, SB1415, SCR1011

Keywords: health profession, regulatory boards, criminal activity, notification, auditor general, investigations, veterinary technicians, certification, education alternative, Arizona Revised Statutes, veterinary education, ALTCS, providers, ownership change, healthcare, Arizona Long Term Care System, naturopathic physician, naturopathic medicine, naturopathic doctor, naturopathic physicians medical board

Summary: The committee approved the minutes and held Senate Bill 1241 for a later hearing because a witness was unavailable. It then took up Senate Bill 1144, which would create an alternative pathway for veterinary technician certification through supervised on-the-job training instead of only a two-year curriculum. Supporters, including the Arizona Humane Society, a high school student in a veterinary program, and a veterinary technician employer, argued the bill would help address a veterinary technician shortage, reduce student debt, and expand access to care. Opponents, including the Arizona Veterinary Technician Association and some veterinarians, said Arizona already has an existing pathway, warned the bill could weaken competency standards and patient safety, and argued the shortage is more about retention and utilization than entry requirements. The committee adopted a Bolick amendment tightening supervision and documentation requirements, then passed SB 1144 as amended on a 6-1 vote. The committee next approved Senate Bill 1247 unanimously. That bill would allow an individual who does not need services to live with a resident in an assisted living center or other unit in the facility, and would bar the Department of Health Services from imposing care requirements on that individual. The sponsor and a lobbyist said the bill was intended to fix a recent statutory interpretation that could force spouses or other companions to separate or pay for services they do not use; a floor amendment was mentioned to extend the same treatment to assisted living homes. Senate Bill 1286, which would extend from 14 days to 60 days the period for veterinary prescriptions and renewals issued through telemedicine, drew extensive testimony and was ultimately held for a possible amendment next week. Supporters, including the sponsor, the Arizona Humane Society, and Animal Policy Group, said telemedicine has expanded access in rural and underserved areas and that longer prescription windows would improve convenience and continuity of care while still excluding controlled substances. Opponents, including the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association and several veterinarians, argued the current 14-day limit is a compromise that protects animal safety, that telemedicine without an in-person exam can lead to misdiagnosis and delayed diagnostics, and that the bill could function like a “pill mill.” The committee then passed Senate Bill 1164, which would let Medicaid billing continue under the prior owner’s certification number during a change of ownership for skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. Supporters said the current process can delay reimbursement for 6 to 18 months and strain providers; Access said it had legal concerns about possible conflict with federal law but was working on fixes. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1181, which would expand CPA certification pathways by adding degree-and-experience options and updating reciprocity rules, and a supporter from the Arizona Society of CPAs said it would address workforce shortages and improve mobility.

Transcript Highlights:

• may not withhold 2018-38 applications may not withhold 2018-38 applications from<00:12:03.360>
• They could reach out to HHFDC to process the application.
• or coming to HHFDC to process the application.
• is that an application may not be accepted for processing.
• It'll just be held until certain concerns are addressed. application I will note that most application

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several housing-related measures, with most witnesses supporting bills aimed at expanding affordable housing tools and financing. SB 1169, creating a Community Land Trust Equity pilot program, drew support from HHFDC and Nahal UI, which said revolving funds would help community land trusts build permanently affordable housing more efficiently. SB 1200, establishing a workforce housing regulatory sandbox within HHFDC, also received support from HHFDC and others, though HHFDC noted concerns about whether the measure could be read to preempt county permitting and zoning powers. SB 511, which would require county legislative bodies rather than HHFDC to approve certain housing project exemptions, prompted HHFDC to suggest revised language and a possible processing deadline for applications; the discussion focused on avoiding indefinite delays and clarifying county and state roles. SB 1283, creating an emergency home loan assistance revolving fund, was introduced with comments from the Department of Budget and Finance and HHFDC. SB 612, on rent-to-build equity agreements for exempt housing projects, drew support and questions about how many affected projects are rentals versus for-sale units. SB 944, extending and expanding low-income housing tax credit provisions, received support from Sugar Creek Capital, Hawaii Housing, and the Chamber of Commerce, while the Tax Foundation raised a technical concern about inconsistent use of the term “taxpayer.” HPHA-supported bills SB 1413 and SB 1412 were also heard, along with SB 1632, which would direct DBEDT to develop a comprehensive action plan for a local housing market; testimony on that measure was strongly supportive but included calls to examine constitutional and legal issues and broader market-structure concerns. The committee also began discussion of SB 1033 and noted it was closely related to SB 1131, with the chair indicating an inclination to move only one of the two similar tax proposals forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• We then make some awards as we receive those applications.
• One where an application is under process and one where we don't have an application yet.
• We give our applicants about 45 days to complete an application.
• It took them a while to get their applications together.
• It's a significant increase in the number of applications that we receive—quality applications.

Bills: SB48, SB64, SB100

Keywords: State Fairgrounds District, fairgrounds bonds, public financing, bond authorization, gross receipts tax, gaming tax, tax-backed bonds, infrastructure funding, Albuquerque fairgrounds, State Fair Tid, economic development, municipal bonds, revenue pledge, capital projects, New Mexico finance, special education, office of special education, deputy secretary, public education department, IEP

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh NHBA practical application.
• , receive a building permit application, receive a building permit application, there<00:26:16.480
• Applicable code. Yeah. Page three. one. Applicable code. Yeah. Page three.
• applicable, license or certification. applicable, license or certification.
• c> applicable municipal amendments, the applicable municipal amendments, the approved<01:09:54.719>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:30:47.720> provide to review clemency applications, provide to review clemency applications
• Despite making huge 164 applications.
• <00:39:18.320> would even though I know the applicant would even though I know the applicant
• uh method and uh at grant an application uh method and uh at grant an application um<00:49:06.600
• I just explained um and the applicant I just explained um and the applicant provides<01:00:57.400

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, that's with the application. That's just the application, not going to be with the ballot.
• Uh, that's with the application. Okay. Uh, that's with the application. Okay.
• application, they can print the copy. application, they can print the copy.
• <01:20:28.000> via was submitting their application via was submitting their application via
• . application. application.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For water utilities and then these are all new applications or there are they. re-applications?
• So new applications for For a rate case, for example, an electric utility that must come in every four
• And there's an application.
• And when a, when the PUC determines that the rate that was incorporated in their application.
• Acquire an application.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um to financial market applications.
• regulated applications for industries. regulated applications for industries.
• . applications. applications.
• security standpoint these applications security standpoint these applications are<01:19:34.000><
• these innovated kind of applications these innovated kind of applications that<01:59:06.800>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

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