Transcript Highlights:

• We're just trying to make sure that the laptop one cable is working properly. Apologies. Mr.
• <00:03:39.320> um<00:03:39.480> laptop<00:03:40.040> one<00:03:40.360> cable
• make sure that the um laptop one cable make sure that the um laptop one cable is<00:03:41.040>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The Telcos have reviewed this, the cable companies, Department of Commerce, and the PUC, and they're
• reviewed<00:14:03.360> this<00:14:03.760> uh<00:14:03.839> the<00:14:04.000> cable
• <00:14:04.320> companies, reviewed this uh the cable companies, reviewed this uh the cable

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a hard time with that because I know that in my area, you can't get cable.
• They can get it on TV because they will have cable and they can watch it.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of guests in the galleries, including state officers, medical personnel, student groups, and former first ladies. Members adopted consent-calendar resolutions, and House Resolution 1052 concerning Arkansas Girl State was withdrawn after Rep. DeAnn Vaught explained that 150 girls had missed a registration deadline and that the House would instead host an alternative Girls State experience this summer. The chamber then took up several fiscal-session appropriation bills. Senate Bills 3, 4, 7, 15, 21, and 31, covering appropriations for Shared Services, Health licensing and regulation, Commerce/Insurance, Parks and Tourism, Human Services adult-aging-behavioral health, and administrative courts, all passed with large bipartisan margins. Senate Bill 75, an economic development appropriation for West Memphis, also passed after brief discussion. Senate Bill 77, an unfunded appropriation related to Arkansas Television Network/PBS matching funds, drew extended debate over whether it should support PBS programming, infrastructure, or private-donation matching; it failed on the first vote, was brought back for reconsideration because some members had not voted, and then failed again 73-24. After the fiscal work concluded, Rep. Meeks moved to adjourn sine die, ending the House’s fiscal session. The House then convened as a caucus to elect the Speaker-designate for the 96th General Assembly. The body suspended the formal election process and unanimously elected Speaker Brian S. Evans as Speaker-designate. Evans thanked members, reflected on the prior session, and pledged continued leadership and accountability before the House adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a hard time with that because I know that in my area, you can't get cable.
• They can get it on TV because they will have cable and they can watch it.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a hard time with that because I know that in my area, you can't get cable.
• They can get it on TV because they will have cable and they can watch it.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, recognized guests, and adopted consent-calendar resolutions before taking up House Resolution 1052 regarding Arkansas Girls State. Rep. Vaught explained that about 150 eligible girls were denied registration because a counselor missed the deadline, and said the House would instead host an “elite Girls State” program for them this summer. He then moved to withdraw the resolution, and the withdrawal was accepted. The chamber also presented a citation to Pastor Richard Hamlin for his service during the session. The House then considered several Senate appropriation bills. Senate Bills 3, 4, 7, 15, 21, and 31 all passed with broad support and emergency clauses. Senate Bill 77, an unfunded appropriation related to Arkansas Television Network/PBS matching funds, drew extended debate. Supporters said it would encourage private donations and could help with programming and infrastructure, while opponents argued the department had not requested the money and that the House should not force additional funding. The bill failed on the first vote, was brought back for a second vote after questions about the rules and the nature of the appropriation, and failed again. After the fiscal session business concluded, Rep. Meeks moved to adjourn sine die, and the House agreed. The House caucus then met to elect the Speaker-designate for the 96th General Assembly. The chamber suspended the formal election process by voice vote and unanimously elected Speaker Brian S. Evans as Speaker-designate. Evans thanked members, reflected on the 95th General Assembly, and pledged continued leadership and accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• was down but basically the double cable was down but basically the complaints<02:32:19.560> going
• <02:40:18.439> folks<02:40:18.920> com um it will include the cable folks com um it
• <02:42:22.439> telephone<02:42:23.399> and co-op op vo um Telco Cable telephone and
• co-op op vo um Telco Cable telephone and and<02:42:23.960> the<02:42:24.120> co-op<02:
• <02:48:30.040> providers landline funds and the cable providers landline funds and the cable

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• walk-in vestibule around the generator, and increasing rough-in conduits to accommodate NDIT's provided cabling
• We had also accepted... ...rough-in conduits to accommodate NDIT's provided cabling.
• costs by reducing attic stock, and then we had also added three conduits underground for future coax cable

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum and approved the March 18 minutes before hearing a series of informational updates. The Petroleum Council reported that North Dakota oil production is expected to remain relatively flat at just under 1.2 million barrels per day, with activity shifting northward in the Bakken as technology improves and three- and four-mile laterals boost well performance. The presentation also discussed oil and gas prices, gas taxation, flaring concerns, the importance of pipelines and other linear infrastructure, and enhanced oil recovery pilot projects supported by state and federal funding. Members asked questions about gas production taxes, natural gas liquids, and the outlook for drilling rigs and future production. The Office of State Tax Commissioner then reviewed the federal “big beautiful bill” and its estimated effect on North Dakota individual and business income tax collections. Staff explained that most of the individual income tax impact comes from the permanent increase in the standard deduction, while temporary provisions such as senior deductions, tip and overtime exclusions, and auto loan interest deductions have smaller or limited-term effects. They also noted that business tax changes, especially depreciation and expensing provisions, create a larger near-term cash impact, and that some FY25 collections likely reflected one-time oil field transactions that may have inflated the baseline used in earlier estimates. OMB provided updates on major capital projects and facility funding. For Capitol grounds improvements, officials described plans for 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding upgrades, public seating, lighting, tree management, and possible restroom and lobby reconfiguration, while also noting the governor’s residence security project and the discovery of human remains on the Capitol grounds. OMB and its consultants also reported on the state facility maintenance fund, including window replacement, boiler work, roof and foundation repairs, and a new facility conditions assessment covering more state buildings. Updates were also given on the new state hospital in Jamestown, the Minot state office building, and the use of federal state fiscal recovery funds, including possible future reallocations to the Department of Corrections. Finally, Legislative Council staff summarized the interim compliance report on legislative intent and trust fund activity, highlighting the status of lines of credit, Bank of North Dakota profit transfers, the statewide litigation pool, the new Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship, corrections planning, HHS program updates, and a likely future general fund request for the unemployment insurance modernization project. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes; the meeting was primarily informational, with members asking clarifying questions throughout.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the first company in the upper left-hand corner is Admiral Cable.
• They do extension cords and power cables for your computer and power equipment.
• Lawmaker was for the at-home cable facility and I don't know, Jerry, if you know, but I think I kept

Transcript Highlights:

• bill seeks to incorporate federal regulations that govern advertising displayed and aired by TV and cable
• Unlike in the broadcasting cable network environment, where advertisers sell their ads directly to the
• I mean, I don't have broadcast TV, and as many of us use cable or streaming services.

Summary: The committee hearing covered several bills related to privacy, consumer protection, and online harms. SB 259 by Senator Wahab would prohibit surveillance pricing based on device data such as geolocation or battery level; supporters argued it would curb discriminatory and predatory pricing, while opponents raised concerns about geolocation definitions, legitimate location-based pricing, and impacts on discounts and loyalty programs. The bill was moved on a due pass motion to the Judiciary Committee and passed 8-1, with members noting amendments and ongoing discussions with stakeholders. SB 22 by Senator Laird would raise the amount of gift cards that can be redeemed for cash, with the author saying the goal is to update the long-standing $10 threshold for inflation and preserve consumer value. Consumer advocates supported the bill, while retailers, restaurants, grocers, and chambers of commerce opposed or opposed unless amended, citing fraud concerns, safety issues, and the need for clarification on donated or returned gift cards. The committee voted the bill out on a 6-1 vote and kept it on call. SB 576 by Senator Umberg would apply broadcast-style loudness rules to streaming advertisements. The author said the bill is intended to prevent ads from being much louder than programming, especially for children, while the opposition argued that streaming ad insertion is technically different and that existing industry standards and FCC oversight already address the issue. The bill passed 8-0. SB 683 by Senator Cortese would clarify that people can seek injunctive relief, including a TRO, for unauthorized use of name, image, or likeness; supporters said it strengthens privacy protections, while opponents warned about prior restraint and First Amendment concerns. The bill was moved out on a due pass motion and kept on call. The final bill discussed, SB 771 by Senator Stern, would clarify that existing civil rights and hate-related laws apply to social media platforms and their algorithms, with higher penalties for intentional or reckless violations. Supporters, including the Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Islamic Networks Group, described online hate as fueling real-world violence and urged stronger accountability; opponents argued the bill could conflict with Section 230, chill lawful speech, and create vague standards. Members raised questions about constitutionality, definitions, and whether the bill would be workable, but several expressed support for the author’s goals.

Transcript Highlights:

• Last week, a Chinese crew, a crew cargo ship, I should say, severed an undersea cable that connected
• You know, we're seeing sea cables cut in the Baltic Sea.
• same time addressing the hybrid threats that we're seeing in space and cyber and in the seas with cable

Transcript Highlights:

• The DCCA's cable office has been behaving in a sort of manner that bears scrutiny, I would say.
• The witness also said the DCCA's cable office has been behaving in a manner that bears scrutiny.
• The DCCA's cable office has been behaving in a manner that bears scrutiny.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Economic Development and Technology met on February 5, 2025, and heard testimony on several bills related to economic development, broadband, tax policy, and family support. HB 455 drew support for a startup-business loan program, with DBEDT, the Hawaii Food Industry Association, the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, and Hmua Collective among those in favor; Tax Foundation Hawaii questioned the need for a special fund. HB 437, concerning Hawaii trade/investment offices, received support from DBEDT and Hawaii Friends for Civil Rights, and members asked DBEDT about how to measure return on investment from the overseas offices. HB 650, dealing with broadband-related administration, was supported by DBEDT, the Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Food Industry Association, and others, while committee discussion focused on the role of the state’s trade and investment offices and broadband administration. HB 935, on digital navigator support, received testimony in favor from DBEDT, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the University of Hawaii system, and others, but also drew comments about consumer representation and the need for service on neighbor islands. The committee also heard strong testimony on tax and family-related measures. HB 572, which would remove the grocery tax, received overwhelming support from groups including the Hawaii Food Industry Association, AARP Hawaii, and others, with testimony emphasizing food insecurity and cost-of-living relief; Tax Foundation Hawaii offered technical comments. HB 701, a caregiver tax credit bill, was supported by AARP Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and others, with AARP stressing the burden on family caregivers and Tax Foundation Hawaii suggesting the credit percentage be reduced to preserve price-shopping incentives. HB 753, another child and dependent care tax credit measure, drew support from AARP Hawaii, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and others; Tax Foundation Hawaii again raised technical concerns, this time about the complexity of the formula. After testimony, the committee took up decision-making. HB 455 was passed with amendments, including transferring administrative responsibility from the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to the Community-Based Economic Development Program, blanking out the appropriation, adding one business loan officer FTE, and noting a $95,000 cost. HB 437, HB 650, HB 934, HB 442, and HB 572 were all advanced with amendments, generally involving blanking out appropriations, moving amounts into committee notes, technical cleanup, and setting effective dates to July 1, 3000. HB 935 was deferred because of overlap with public library programs and uncertainty about federal funding for digital navigator positions. The chair also indicated HB 7 would be amended to add a nonrefundable family caregiver tax credit and related technical changes, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• When I was sitting in her living room in Silver Bay, they had cable, which was a luxury.
• My grandparents had cable, so that was really cool.
• <00:08:00.560> my cable which was a luxury. my cable which was a luxury. my grandparents<00
• :08:01.199> had<00:08:01.440> cable,<00:08:01.840> so<00:08:02.000> that<
• 00:08:02.160> was grandparents had cable, so that was grandparents had cable, so that was really

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'll give you an example. 24-hour facilities are paying for cable.
• This fund does not; the state of New Hampshire taxpayers do not pay for cable.
• <00:22:40.080> This facilities are paying for cable.
• This facilities are paying for cable.
• This fund does, and that's about cable.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Dedicated Funds met to review the House budget provision that would impose a 5% administrative charge on a broad list of dedicated funds, with some exemptions. Members discussed the House approach versus the Senate’s more general approach of leaving the governor discretion over which funds could be charged. The chair explained the committee was hearing from agencies about any legal, contractual, or practical reasons their funds should be exempt, and the agenda was expanded to include several departments and written submissions from others. The Department of Education testified first, identifying several funds it said should be exempt: a printing revolving fund that is funded by transfers rather than fees; teacher certification, which is self-funded by educator licensing fees and would require an immediate fee increase if charged; a vending stand set-aside tied to the federal Randolph-Sheppard program and subject to federal approval and vendor committee procedures; and a public school infrastructure/safety account, where most revenue is transferred from the education trust fund or general fund rather than generated by fees. Members questioned the department about the effect on school safety projects and whether the fee would simply reduce the number of projects completed each year. The Veterans Home asked for exemptions for three funds: a donation benefit account used for recreational activities and quality-of-life expenses for residents, a small memorial trust fund whose interest supports veteran activities, and a resident member account that holds veterans’ personal income such as Social Security and pensions. The department argued the charge would reduce donations, cut services, and effectively function like an income tax on vulnerable veterans. The Banking Department also requested exemption for its consumer credit administration license fund, saying it is used to keep exam fees low and is expressly intended by statute to reduce costs on regulated businesses; it said the 5% charge would undermine that framework and could eventually force higher fees. The Department of Justice began testimony on its dedicated funds, starting with the medical legal investigative fund, which pays for death investigations and related services under statute and without general fund support. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the committee mainly heard testimony and asked questions about the practical and legal effects of applying the administrative charge.

Transcript Highlights:

• And what you do is they take a joist and they take a cable actually from the roof and pin it down to
• And what you do is they take a joist and they take a cable actually from the roof and pin it down to
• And I thought they were just trying to strap down the shed, but it is true that that cable was holding
• And what you do is they take a joist and they take a cable actually from the roof and pin it down to
• And I thought they were just trying to strap down the shed, but it is true that that cable was holding

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee met in executive session and first discussed scheduling, noting that Town Meeting Day would cancel the next Tuesday meeting, that they would meet Wednesday instead, and that remaining bills would be handled through subcommittees and a likely final executive session on the 19th to meet the deadline for committee action on the 20th. The committee then took up several bills, with repeated roll calls and votes, often placing measures on the consent calendar after committee approval. House Bill 185 on ambulance reimbursement rates was described as a perennial issue and was voted inexpedient to legislate, with members noting concerns that an any-willing-provider approach would make premium impacts hard to evaluate. House Bill 186 on cannabis legalization was retained for further work, with members saying the bill addressed stopping marijuana arrests but that the sales and implementation details still needed more development. House Bill 241 on treatment alternatives to opioids was also retained because the sponsor could not attend and the committee wanted more time to continue work. The committee then considered House Bill 302 on state treasury investments in digital assets and precious metals. The amendment narrowed the proposal, removing more complicated provisions like stable tokens and staking, lowering the authorized allocation from 10% to 5%, and limiting eligible digital assets to those with very high market capitalization; members discussed volatility, the treasurer’s discretion, and oversight through bond-rating concerns. The amendment and the bill as amended both passed, and the bill was placed on the consent calendar. Other measures moved quickly: House Bill 451 on a paint product stewardship program was amended to remove direct funding and framed as manufacturer-run enabling legislation, then passed and was placed on consent; House Bill 499 made technical corrections to insurance laws and passed unanimously; House Bill 538 on relocating Liquor Commission positions passed unanimously; House Bill 552 on children covered under the state retirement insurance plan was cleaned up to remove a student requirement and passed unanimously; and a blockchain/digital currencies bill was amended to address noise and local regulation concerns for data mining operations, with supporters emphasizing energy-use issues, municipal authority, and a separate commission studying regulation. That bill also passed and was sent to consent.

Transcript Highlights:

• m going to try to help people understand how big 12 zeros is, because if I watch one more idiot on cable
• m going to try to help people understand how big 12 zeros is, because if I watch one more idiot on cable
• m going to try to help people understand how big 12 zeros is, because if I watch one more idiot on cable
• m going to try to help people understand how big 12 zeros is, because if I watch one more idiot on cable
• idiot on talk on cable television saying oh<03:29:39.960> we<03:29:40.199> have<03:29:

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, February 7, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And as this is a cost shift from the cable and broadband providers to taxpayers, not every one of your
• constituents necessarily, you know, pays for our is a customer for these broadband or cable providers

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are the most expensive things you can buy because they're literally tying up a telephone cable
• or fiber optic cable depending from one spot to another.
• It could be a circuit. up a telephone cable or fiber optic up a telephone cable or fiber optic cable<
• depending from one spot to cable depending from one spot to another. another. another.
• miles of cable that you have to pay for. miles of cable that you have to pay for.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, there are plumbers, there are cable people, there are installers for all sorts of things.
• Uh, there are plumbers, there are cable people, there are installers for all sorts of things.
• Uh, there are plumbers, there are cable people, there are installers for all sorts of things.
• there are plumbers there are cable there are plumbers there are cable people<00:59:45.319> there
• So when it comes to the cable person or the FedEx or whoever other employees of other companies might

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard Senate File 558, a bill to create a formal process for removing unauthorized occupants from real property, often described as a “squatters bill.” The author presented an A2 amendment, which was adopted, and explained that the bill would give sheriffs a structured complaint and verification process, allow fees, provide immunity when the process is followed, and impose civil remedies for wrongful removal and criminal penalties for false complaints. The bill also includes a provision on holdover situations, clarifying that certain unauthorized guests of tenants are unlawful occupants rather than tenants, and a use-of-excess-force provision was mentioned. Supporters said the measure is intended to give property owners and law enforcement a clearer, faster, and more consistent way to handle situations where people occupy property without a lawful basis, especially in rural or seasonal properties and in some landlord-tenant disputes. Senator Uty read a letter from Hubbard County Sheriff Corey Oas describing recurring problems with rental issues, couch hopping, and subletting without landlord knowledge, and a testifier from Pine Island described several local examples of prolonged and costly occupancy disputes, including a restaurant tenant who stopped paying rent and a rural property trespass incident. Committee members in support emphasized the need to balance tenant rights with property rights and to avoid leaving sheriffs to make ad hoc decisions. Michael D. from Homeline opposed the bill, arguing that existing trespass and harassment restraining order laws already address unlawful occupants and that the proposal creates due process concerns by allowing removal without a court hearing. He also warned that the bill’s definition of unlawful occupant could jeopardize oral leases, which are allowed under Minnesota law. In response, supporters said the bill is meant to distinguish true landlord-tenant relationships from trespass situations and to provide a workable process consistent with Minnesota law. At the end of the discussion, the chair announced that Senate File 558 would be laid over for possible inclusion. He also said Senate File 222 would be laid over, Senate File 559 would be moved with a recommendation to pass to the Judiciary Committee, and the fourth bill on the agenda was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the bill that you have that you'll be hearing shortly only affects those telephone companies or cable
• There's also a letter in your packet from the Minnesota Cable Association, which supports this bill,
• letter in your packet from<00:20:17.080> the<00:20:17.200> Minnesota<00:20:17.720> cable
• <00:20:18.120> Association from the Minnesota cable Association from the Minnesota cable Association

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This process is really important because there's more and more stuff underground: gas lines, cable lines
• You don't want to take out cable or internet, and you definitely don't want to hit a gas line.
• And with that, I have a testifier. cable or internet, and you definitely cable or internet, and you definitely

Bills: HF3919, HF3791, HF1781, HF3908, HF4233, HF3966, HF3430

Keywords: veterans benefits, Secret War, Laos veterans, eligibility process, burial fees, veteran designation, security, protective services, state officials, Capitol complex, state patrol, public safety, legislative protection, threat assessment, transportation, electronic attestation, traffic signals, accident reporting, legislative routes, agricultural aircraft