Transcript Highlights:

• So there are penalties and accountability mechanisms in the bill.
• Non-consensual intimate imagery is not just a privacy issue. It's an ongoing public safety issue.
• Isabel lost her life as a result of unchecked, non-consensual intimate imagery.
• But what the federal government didn't do is allow us a mechanism on how to do it.
• [The federal government] didn't allow us a mechanism on how to do it.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And first in section two, the study of accessible deletion mechanism report, by striking out...
• And first in section two, the study of accessible deletion mechanism report, by striking out... at this
• And we did speak with Legislative Council about this and there was consensus with Legislative Council
• </c><00:53:46.800><c> with</c><00:53:47.160><c> legislative</c> there was consensus with legislative
• there was consensus with legislative council<00:53:47.960><c> on</c><00:53:48.120><c> that</c><00:53:

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have agreed, and it's a provision in the bill, that whatever consensus by August 1st next year, whatever
• consensus product comes out of the regulatory advisory committee, that is what we will promulgate as
• We will promulgate whatever comes out of that committee that has consensus.
• between the landowner and the department on how this piece of property is identified, is there a mechanism
• This bill is the result of nearly two years of work by a diverse group of stakeholders who reached consensus

Bills: SB9

Keywords: wetlands protection, nontidal wetlands, Delaware, environmental sustainability, climate change, carbon sink, permitting process

Summary: The House Natural Resources and Energy Committee met to consider two Senate bills. SB 321, with Senate Amendment 1, would change community solar billing so subscribers receive one consolidated utility bill instead of separate bills from the utility and the solar provider. Supporters said the bill would simplify enrollment and payment, improve customer retention—especially for low-income customers—and include safeguards such as guaranteed savings and an escrow mechanism to prevent cost shifts to other ratepayers. After public testimony from solar developers, the Public Advocate, the Sierra Club, and others, the committee initially lacked enough members present to release the bill, so the vote was circulated to absent members and the bill was later reported out for floor action. The committee then heard SB 9, with Senate Amendment 1, a long-negotiated wetlands protection bill. The sponsor and DNREC explained that it would create a state non-tidal wetlands program with exemptions for certain agricultural, conservation, and routine activities, general permits for some lower-impact projects, and individual permits for higher-value wetlands. Witnesses described the bill as a compromise among environmental, agricultural, development, and local government stakeholders, while some members raised questions about flooding, landowner impacts, wetland delineation, and the role of the regulatory advisory committee. Public testimony was broadly supportive from environmental groups, the Farm Bureau, builders, engineers, and affordable housing advocates. The committee then voted to release SB 9 from committee. At the end of the meeting, members offered thanks and remarks recognizing the chair’s service and leadership on environmental and energy issues. Both bills were ultimately released from committee and reported out.

Transcript Highlights:

• The consultant would study the feasibility of an accessible deletion mechanism.
• Though H. 955 has some mechanisms that should, over time, bend the cost curve, if ever so slightly, it
• times that I've, you know, stood on a mic in front of a gym full of people at town meeting, the consensus
• The consensus has been no forced mergers. Nobody wanted it.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it does become a bit of this mechanism.
• Senator Custle, did I, I guess I just, I feel like there's got to be some consensus out there of what
• And yeah, there's going to be 53 different scenarios out there, but there's got to be some consensus
• Senator Kessel, did I, I guess I just, I feel like there's got to be some consensus out there of what
• And yeah, there's going to be 53 different scenarios out there, but there's got to be some consensus

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2401, which would require physicians to complete continuing education on nutrition and metabolic health as part of the state’s rural health transformation effort. HHS supported the bill, saying it would help physicians better address chronic disease and preserve federal grant points tied to the state’s application. A member of the public also testified in favor, arguing that better nutrition education could improve diabetes outcomes and reduce costs. The committee then adopted an amendment to add the Board of Occupational Therapy Practice to the background-check statute so the occupational therapy compact could proceed, and it passed the bill as amended on a roll call vote. The committee next heard House Bill 1621, which would require the Presidential Fitness Physical Fitness Test in elementary, middle, and high school physical education courses. HHS said the bill was part of the rural health transformation application and could help preserve federal funding, but members raised many questions about the test’s criteria, adaptive options for students with disabilities, equipment needs, and whether the bill should apply to non-public schools. Senator Clemens offered an amendment to limit the requirement to public schools, but it failed. Senator Hogan then offered an amendment to clarify exemptions and allow DPI to align implementation with federal guidance; that amendment passed. A further amendment adding language allowing DPI to establish criteria for and exceptions to the test also passed. The committee then approved the bill as amended on a roll call vote. The committee also considered House Bill 1622, which joins North Dakota to the physician assistant licensure compact. HHS said the compact would improve access to care, especially in rural areas, support military families, and help preserve rural health transformation funding. Members noted the compact had been discussed in a prior session and that many earlier concerns had been resolved. After brief discussion about the compact process and its consistency with other interstate compacts, the committee voted to do pass the bill. Finally, the committee began Senate Bill 2402, which expands pharmacists’ prescriptive authority and therapeutic substitution powers. HHS and the Board of Pharmacy supported the bill as a way to improve access to care and maintain rural health transformation funding. Senator Roers introduced a detailed amendment negotiated with the Board of Medicine and Board of Pharmacy to narrow and clarify the bill, including notification requirements, limits on certain drug categories, and patient-protection language for therapeutic substitution. The Board of Pharmacy then testified in support of the broader bill and explained the CLIA-waived testing provisions and the repeal of the older, narrower pharmacist-testing language. The hearing and amendment discussion were still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think there are some issues that have broad consensus.
• So, for example, amending child pornography laws has broad consensus across parties.
• I think there are some issues that have broad consensus.
• So there's a whole lot of these kind of financial mechanisms and kind of risk mechanisms.
• So there's a whole lot of these kinds of financial mechanisms and risk mechanisms that state commissions

Summary: The committee held its first meeting on artificial intelligence and data centers, established a quorum, and heard introductory remarks from Majority Leader Hogue and the chair about the committee’s charge. Members said the goal was to build a factual foundation on AI, hear from experts and stakeholders, and develop practical North Dakota-focused recommendations rather than simply produce a large volume of bills. Legislative Council also reviewed interim committee rules and procedures before the informational presentations began. Staff and NCSL presenters then gave overviews of AI concepts and the state and federal policy landscape. The background memo and presentations covered AI categories and terms, state laws in areas such as consumer protection, algorithmic discrimination, deepfakes, chatbots, children’s safety, health, education, and government use, as well as data center siting and economic impacts. NCSL described a growing number of AI bills introduced and enacted across the states, with comprehensive laws in places like Utah, Colorado, Texas, California, and Illinois, and noted recurring issues around transparency, privacy, liability, and protections for minors. A major focus of the discussion was federal preemption and the tension between state regulation and national AI policy. NCSL said a recent White House executive order and related federal framework seek a light-touch, innovation-friendly national standard, with possible challenges to state laws and possible funding conditions tied to compliance, though no broad federal preemption has yet been enacted. Members asked about Commerce Clause concerns, industry pushback, oversight models, and whether AI policy is bipartisan; presenters said the issue cuts across party lines, with broad agreement on child safety and deepfake restrictions but more disagreement on broader regulatory approaches. No votes or formal actions were taken at the meeting, and the committee recessed briefly for technical issues during the second presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our consensus threshold is 90%, which is very high.
• Our consensus 547 threshold is 90%, which is very high.
• And while we can't always reach consensus, the discussions in our process enable us to 549 bring to you
• on the current bill, but I think that the thought behind the current bill of trying to create a mechanism
• on the current bill, but I think that the thought behind the current bill of trying to create a mechanism

Bills: HB24, HB27

Keywords: groundwater, conservation, water permits, sustainability, resource management

Summary: The committee met to hear House Bills 27 and 24 on groundwater issues in East Texas, with members and witnesses focusing on a proposed large-volume groundwater export project and the need for more science before major permitting decisions are made. HB 27, which was within the special session call, would direct the Texas Water Development Board to conduct a hydrogeologic study of the aquifers in the affected area and temporarily pause new export permits while the study is underway. HB 24, a separate bill that would limit certain production and export permits to 5% of modeled available groundwater, was laid out but the chair said it would not be moved out of committee. Testimony on HB 27 was largely supportive, though some witnesses were neutral. Supporters, including representatives from a water supply corporation, the Trinity River Authority, Environmental Defense Fund, and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, said the region lacks enough hydrologic data, that the proposed pumping could affect private wells, surface water, and local economies, and that the state needs better information on sustainable yield and groundwater-surface water interaction. Several witnesses emphasized that groundwater conservation districts need clearer tools and better data, while also noting concerns about property rights and the rule of capture. Committee members discussed the scale of the proposed project, the absence of a groundwater conservation district in Houston County, and the possibility that the study should examine desired future conditions and maximum sustainable pumping rather than only modeled available groundwater. The committee adopted the committee substitute for HB 27 and voted it out favorably to the full House with a recommendation that it do pass, be printed, and be sent to the Committee on Calendars. The roll call was unanimous, 11 ayes and 0 nays. After the vote, members briefly reflected on the complexity of the issue and the need to continue working on broader groundwater policy in the interim and next session. HB 24 was discussed later in the meeting, but no final action on that bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• the farmers can become members of this organization and in the organization essentially has the mechanism
• explicit images without consent, there are now instances in which a person may be a victim of non-consensual
• the consent of the subject and has been altered with artificial intelligence to know shown non consensual
• Chair, thank you for the question. >> When when >> the victim of this sort of non-consensual image identifies
• And so my question would be any thought to the enforced in enforcement mechanisms as to how that would

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There wasn't a mechanism to take the money and support it, and it was coming from, I think, the Murph
• That's what I do with my mechanical and LP inspectors.
• I can't say that there's the best tracking mechanism for that, but we do look at those for licensing
• And it now says the consensus target is 30, not 21. Can you just fill us in a little bit?
• Both the executive and LFC have reached a consensus on performance measures.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• organizations didn't agree with each other, and they had many different ideas, and there was not consensus
• guys probably got, or the chamber probably got, tired of me talking about it, but there was broad consensus
• Sections 2 and 4 remove these 21 entities from being included in those two funding mechanisms, which
• because they may determine that it was unnecessary and that they can still use the self-defense mechanism
• These House amendments have brought consensus to the various parties involved, and we find they have

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, pledge, roll call, and a quorum present, then approved a motion to lay over House Bill 1525 for one legislative day. It also voted not to concur with House amendments on Senate Bills 2294, 2297, 2070, 4017, and 2262, appointing conference committees for each. The chamber then took up a series of House bill amendments and final-passage votes. On amendments, the Senate adopted changes to House Bill 1229 on fleeing law enforcement and driving-record transparency after debate over insurance impacts and public safety; House Bill 1510 on teacher retention, on-site child care, and licensure study language; House Bill 1160 to restrict student personal electronic devices during instructional time; House Bill 1429 to address drone harassment and stalking of animals; House Bill 1203 to harmonize medical marijuana provisions; House Bill 1600 to create a UND immigration clinic with reporting requirements; House Bill 1130 to broaden K-12 funding formula changes and reduce state fiscal impact; House Bill 1279 to modify the coal conversion tax exemption; House Bill 1442 to adjust membership and scope of a state task force; and House Bill 1464 to convert a maternal care services proposal into a study and remove the appropriation. The Senate rejected an amendment to House Bill 1022 concerning the Retirement and Investment Office bonus program, then passed the bill. It also passed House Bill 1234 on a $90 million transfer to reduce PERS liability, while rejecting a floor amendment to it. On final passage, the Senate passed House Bills 1008 (Public Service Commission budget), 1218 (temporary moratorium and study on economic analysis for drain projects), 1234 (PERS funding transfer), 1146 (PERS defined contribution cleanup and emergency clause), 1355 (expanded notice for administrative rulemaking), 1470 (Game and Fish fee changes and guide/outfitter updates), 1029 (Capital Grounds Planning Commission duties), 1017 (Game and Fish budget), 1374 (township supervisor open-meeting exemption for on-site inspections), and 1064 (NC-SARA membership and distance education regulation). It defeated House Bill 1583 on false political advertisements with civil-action language and House Bill 1393 on earned wage access provider regulation. The transcript ends as the Senate begins consideration of House Bill 1326 on self-defense and unlawful firearm possession by felons.

Transcript Highlights:

• Carbon pricing mechanisms often reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which can improve air quality.
• </c> and Regional carbon pricing mechanisms and Regional carbon pricing mechanisms on<00:04:02.159><c
• </c> Regional or national carbon mechanisms Regional or national carbon mechanisms by<00:05:18.000><c
• mechanisms mechanisms one<00:57:57.119><c> approach</c><00:57:57.480><c> to</c><00:57:57.680><c> obtaining
• </c><01:19:42.639><c> has</c> that a carbon pricing mechanism has that a carbon pricing mechanism has

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our objection is that of consensus. Not of just my organization and a few others are behind.
• Only clarification allows licensed HVAC and mechanical contractors to replace existing pool or spa heat
• I'm a certified mechanical contractor. I on Parker Services.
• Let's change the internal mechanisms. Change restrictor open the flow.
• Related to air conditioning and mechanical contractors favorable.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tiffany, and the public defenders to come to a consensus on this bill.
• But right now, there's not a mechanism for that to happen. This allows that to happen.
• these 20 individuals forever with no mechanism, correct?
• I know the proponents discussed it as a procedural mechanism.
• Mainly, this has been by consensus, because in Louisiana, we have a good statute.

Bills: HB91, HB123, HB167, HB255, HB264, HB321, HB884, HB955, HB967, HB968, HB969, HB978, HB985, HB994, HB1005, HB1104, HB1107, HB1109, SCR3

Keywords: criminal procedure, disclosure, criminal records, witness protection, trial rights, electronic monitoring, GPS ankle monitor, ankle bracelet, pretrial release, post-conviction supervision, bail monitoring, house arrest, corrections, criminal justice, law enforcement, prosecuting authority, court reporting, provider registration, LCLE, Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:

• the Utilities Code and that electric utilities, including a river authority, may use other rate mechanisms
• The bill also adds an expiration date for this new capital cost recovery mechanism of 2035, 10 years
• The bill also adds an expiration date for this new capital cost recovery mechanism of 2035, 10 years
• The bill also adds an expiration date for this new capital cost recovery mechanism of 2035, 10 years
• bill that... ...working and refining this bill to what it is today, and we believe it's a consensus

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and took up a long list of pending House bills, most of them on motions by Senator King or Senator Campbell. The committee adopted committee substitutes and favorably reported numerous bills, including HB 252, HB 700, HB 1500, HB 1545, HB 1562, HB 1732, HB 267, HB 2213, HB 2221, HB 2520, HB 2818, HB 3016, HB 3214, HB 3250, HB 3512, HB 3623, HB 3689, HB 3833, HB 4063, HB 4395, HB 4690, HB 4751, HB 5331, HB 3824, HB 4464, HB 4468, and HB 5247. Most of these were sent to the local and uncontested calendar, while some, including sunset and other significant measures, were reported to the full Senate. HB 146 was the only bill reported out on a divided vote, passing 6 ayes to 4 nays. Several bills received brief explanation of committee substitute changes. HB 3016, dealing with rental car collision damage waivers and stolen vehicles, was amended to change a cooperation standard from “fully cooperate” to simply “cooperate.” HB 3689, a major ESF/TWA financing bill, was described as making technical changes to align terminology with the Comptroller’s authority and to avoid creating state debt or new liability. HB 5247, a capital cost recovery bill for transmission in the Permian Basin, was revised to clarify how the new mechanism fits with existing Utilities Code provisions and to add a 2035 expiration date. HB 3824, the battery fire safety bill, also received technical changes to align terminology with industry usage. The committee heard public testimony on several pending measures. HB 3069, which would direct the PUC to develop supplemental multi-decade planning criteria for transmission certificates in ERCOT, drew support from industry, environmental, and manufacturing witnesses who said it would help address congestion costs while balancing consumer protections; the bill was left pending. HB 5196, requiring state agencies to adopt and post telework policies and use written telework agreements, received both support and concern: supporters said it would preserve productivity and retention, while a senator raised concerns about notice and family logistics; it was left pending after testimony. HB 3112, allowing closed deliberations on cybersecurity policy details, was laid out and left pending after brief discussion. HCR 102, supporting federal nuclear tax credits, drew testimony from nuclear industry and energy advocates, who argued the credits are essential for existing plants, new nuclear development, grid reliability, and U.S. competitiveness; the resolution was left pending, with discussion about whether the language should focus more exclusively on nuclear. HB 705, creating a cosmetology licensure compact, was supported by industry, employers, and compact experts as a mobility tool that preserves state authority; HB 3516, expanding a public information exemption for Railroad Commission administrative law judges and technical examiners, and HB 3388, authorizing group property and casualty coverage for personal lines, were also heard and left pending. At the end of the meeting, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• So kind of the consensus, and this was a special meeting of a certain class, I don't mean high class
• So there, but kind of the consensus there was if the trainer was a teacher, that would be best, The consensus
• We just have to look for a consensus that helps protect kids.
• So what really comes down to is how do we get the funding mechanisms, how do we get the programs, how
• next month we can collaborate and brainstorm kind of an awareness campaign and then create some mechanisms

Summary: The meeting focused primarily on planning for an upcoming AI symposium and related commission work. Members reviewed nomination and registration timelines, attendance categories, site logistics, and microcredential requirements for participants. They discussed the symposium’s structure, including slots for K-12, higher education, career tech, libraries, tribal groups, and innovation grant recipients, and noted that the event would likely be held in early June with a follow-up planning meeting on April 2. The group also discussed launching a newsletter via Substack and publishing a monthly podcast to share updates and build public awareness. A major portion of the discussion centered on School AI and a proposed $45 million AI initiative. Members described School AI pilot activity at OCCC and broader plans to work with K-12, career tech, higher education, and libraries, while emphasizing privacy, data governance, and the need for local training and agency-level negotiation. The $45 million proposal, referenced as House Bill 1782, would create a revolving fund, an advisory council, and broad allowable uses including tools, professional development, curriculum, research, student programs, infrastructure, and public outreach. Representative Williams said the bill was moving through the House appropriations process and that the goal was to keep the funding intact. The group also raised concerns about other AI-related proposals and initiatives, including three bills by Representative Cody Maynard and the Oklahoma AI Roundtable, which some members viewed skeptically because of its paid membership model. A podcast episode on ethics and legal issues in AI was previewed, including a controversial example about using AI to survey students for safety risks; members agreed the example was hypothetical but potentially sensitive. The meeting ended with broader discussion of workforce needs, especially nursing and corrections education, including efforts to expand LPN/RN pathways, address certification costs, and connect training to rural health and reentry programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't have a funding mechanism for the bill as it is.
• The timing of this, unless I think what should have been put in here was some kind of funding mechanism
• </c> kind of funding mechanism. kind of funding mechanism.
• for the city of Montgomery to mechanism for the city of Montgomery to reimburse<00:29:41.919><c> them
• ,</c> can't come to some kind of consensus, can't come to some kind of consensus, then<00:39:38.720><

Bills: SB298, SB91

Keywords: Florence, Lauderdale County, municipal boundaries, corporate limits, land annexation, military installations, tall structures, local government, construction approval, wind energy facilities, aeronautics, Department of Defense, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um, I have a lot of experience as a mechanic as well, working on my own farm equipment and stuff
• It's about establishing consensus, and consensus is just that.
• To provide you with an overview of the scientific consensus on this subject if you're interested in,
• It's about establishing consensus, and consensus is just that.
• It seems to me that there is, um, you know, a consensus as we just heard that this chemical is harmful

Bills: HF3965, HF3704, HF3260, HF3718

Keywords: pesticide, agriculture, environmental protection, health risks, chemical safety, local agriculture, insecticides, pollinators, seeds, environmental health, neonicotinoids, systemic insecticides, civil penalties, pest management, land trends, report, appropriation, farmers, veterinary medicine, veterinary technology

Transcript Highlights:

• We think it's just another mechanism.
• We think it's just another mechanism.
• We think it's just another mechanism.
• </c> think there's a bipartisan consensus think there's a bipartisan consensus that<00:41:22.280><c>
• </c><01:09:26.040><c> don't</c> the the these logical consensus don't the the these logical consensus

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> mechanisms are the crux of PBR. mechanisms are the crux of PBR.
• ><c> uh,</c><00:27:10.240><c> came</c> mechanisms, rewards, penalties, uh, came mechanisms, rewards,
• ,</c> revenue adjustment mechanisms, revenue adjustment mechanisms, performance<00:33:29.679><c> mechanisms
• </c> performance mechanisms. performance mechanisms.
• They attempt to address this through performance incentive mechanisms and other incentive mechanisms

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee held an informational briefing on the Public Utilities Commission’s performance-based regulation (PBR) framework and the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ whistleblower complaint process. Chair Jared Kohole opened the meeting, noted it was informational only with no public testimony, and explained that members would hear presentations and then have an opportunity for questions. The committee heard first from Ulupono Initiative, which provided background on why utilities are regulated, how Hawaii’s cost-of-service model and rate cases work, and why PBR was adopted to shift utility incentives away from a capital-investment bias and toward performance, efficiency, cost control, and policy goals such as renewable energy and reliability. Ulupono described Hawaii’s PBR structure as a five-year multi-year rate plan with annual revenue adjustments, a customer dividend, a Z factor for extraordinary exogenous events, and an exceptional project recovery mechanism for large projects. It also outlined performance incentive mechanisms tied to renewable portfolio standard progress, interconnection speed, reliability, and shared savings. The presentation said the current docket is evaluating a possible hybrid approach that would combine forward-looking forecasting with historical results, and Ulupono advocated for stronger incentives, arguing the current rewards are too small relative to utility revenues and should be more meaningful to better align utility behavior with legislative intent. The PUC then presented its own overview, emphasizing that the PBR docket is open and active and that the briefing was limited to the record to avoid ex parte concerns. The commission described the development of PBR in Hawaii through multiple phases beginning in 2018: an initial collaborative phase to set goals, a formal contested-case phase that produced the initial framework, later phases adding scorecards, reported metrics, and additional performance incentive mechanisms, and subsequent refinements including sunset of some mechanisms and adjustments after the August 2023 Maui wildfires. The PUC said the framework is intended to be customer-centric, administratively efficient, and protective of utility financial integrity, and that current work includes evaluating how to balance forward-looking and historical test-year approaches within the rebasing process. No votes or formal actions were taken at the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was were arrived at by consensus. I was super<00:08:55.600><c> pleased.
• . consensus. consensus.
• </c><00:36:18.560><c> Um,</c> worked on the consensus language.
• Um, worked on the consensus language.
• </c> consensus were arrived to by consensus consensus were arrived to by consensus and<00:47:47.680><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all