Video & Transcript : 'electricity supply' :
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NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Feb 4th, 2025
House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- comply with modern statutory drafting, they’ve pulled up the term from the bottom common source of supply
- see at the bottom, the language that's crossed out says 'pool' is synonymous with 'common source of supply
- That has been pulled up to the top to say 'pool' or 'common source of supply' means.
- Electric vehicles or other emissions-free vehicles that take that air pollution away, whether it's from
- Impact this legislature's ability to invest in electric vehicles and other sorts of infrastructure.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate Chamber Feb 19th, 2026 at 08:53 am
New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- President, House Bill 309 simply clarifies how electric energy storage, like electric distribution and
- between electricity supply and demand To facilitate dispatching of electrical or increased economic
- return on the sale of electricity So, Mr.
- Would it be more Industrial of electrical storage, okay, Mr.
- This is for electric.
Keywords:
SB273, appropriations, general fund, hold harmless, local government finance, municipal revenue, county revenue, correctional facility, jail contract, private prison, detention facility, immigration detention, revenue bonds, clawback, child welfare, juvenile justice, protective services, school improvement, New MexiCare, aging services
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Day 40 (3-5-26)
Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 213, an act relating to retail electric suppliers.
- Senate Bill 213, an act relating to retail electric suppliers. Senator Wheeler.
- Senate Bill 213, an act relating to retail electric suppliers. Senator Wheeler.
- </c> uh we own and operate a farm supply uh we own and operate a farm supply store.<01:08:00.559><c>
- </c> And when you think about the food supply And when you think about the food supply in<01:08:52.080
Summary:
The Senate convened, opened with an invocation and pledge, established a quorum, excused absent members, and approved the journal. The House clerk then announced that the House had passed several bills and requested concurrence. The chamber also received second-reading reports for a number of bills and resolutions, which were referred to the Rules Committee, and committee reports from the Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor Committee and the Judiciary Committee recommending passage of several measures. New resolutions were also introduced, including one honoring Michael Mingi, Amanda Maize, and Senator Maize Bledsoe, and another designating March 31, 2026, as Kentucky Transitional Science Day.
The Senate then took up Senate Bill 145, relating to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The chamber concurred in House Committee Substitute 1 and House Floor Amendment 1, then passed the bill as amended by a roll call vote of 35 yeas and 2 nays. The Senate next considered Senate Bill 59, relating to prohibited uses of tax dollars and resources. After adopting Senate Committee Substitute 1, members debated whether the bill’s enforcement provisions were needed to prevent public funds from being used to influence ballot questions; supporters cited prior school-related advocacy, while one opponent raised concerns about possible uneven treatment of schools receiving federal funds. The bill passed 28-9.
Finally, the Senate took up Senate Bill 137, relating to a provisional license to practice medicine. Supporters described Kentucky’s physician shortage, especially in rural areas, and argued the bill would help recruit foreign medical graduates by allowing a path to licensure based on prior residency and work experience. A floor amendment was offered to preserve standards by emphasizing U.S. residency pathways and cautioning against lowering the standard of care, but the amendment was withdrawn after discussion. The bill remained under consideration at the end of the transcript.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee Jun 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Some of the highlights of the bill include removing references to the Power Exchange and Electricity
- It clarifies that electric co-ops are not to be considered electrical corporations by default.
- of this committee well know, California has some of the highest electricity rates in the nation.
- utilities, including Southern California Edison, PG&E, and San Diego Gas & Electric.
- Good morning, Brandon Ebeck, on behalf of Pacific Gas and Electric, and very strong opposition.
Summary:
The committee heard several energy-related bills, with AB 1715 drawing the most discussion. That bill would require the CPUC to create a searchable database of utility advice letters, protests, responses, and resolutions going back to 2020, and to require utilities to report state, federal, and other public financing so ratepayer savings from loans, grants, and similar funding can be tracked and passed through. The author and TURN said the bill is aimed at transparency, affordability, and preventing double recovery; committee amendments removed some language, and labor said the amendments would remove its opposition. Senators pressed on how “financial benefits” would be defined and whether the bill would require refunds to ratepayers, and the author said the CPUC would determine the details. The bill was later moved out of committee on a do-pass-as-amended vote to Appropriations.
AB 1301, a CPUC/Public Utilities Code cleanup bill, was presented as a housekeeping measure to remove obsolete references, align deadlines, eliminate duplicative requirements, and extend the Energy Conservation Assistance Act sunset. The Public Advocates Office and Golden State Power Cooperatives supported it, and the committee advanced it do-pass as amended to Appropriations. AB 2463, which would require the CPUC to disclose the models and analysis used to set utility authorized return on equity, was described as a transparency measure for a process that is currently a “black box.” EDF and the Utility Wildfire Survivor Coalition supported the bill, while members noted the importance of understanding how utility profits are set; it also passed to Appropriations.
AB 1813, on community solar and storage, generated substantial debate. The author said the bill is intended to fix a CPUC program that he argued is unworkable and inconsistent with the Legislature’s earlier direction, while supporters including San Diego Community Power, TURN, and many clean energy, labor, and local-government groups said it would make community solar viable for renters and others who cannot install rooftop solar. Opponents, including the Public Advocates Office, Southern California Edison, SDG&E, and PG&E, argued it would raise rates, create cost shifts to non-participating customers, and conflict with a recently adopted CPUC decision. The bill was moved out on a do-pass-as-amended vote to Appropriations, with some senators indicating support but also concern about affordability and pending amendments.
AB 2111, which would require the CPUC to plan transmission using multiple demand and resource scenarios instead of a single forecast, was supported as a way to reduce bottlenecks, improve reliability, and avoid costly under-planning as electrification grows. Supporters said better scenario planning would help avoid transmission constraints that block new generation, while the committee raised questions about cost impacts and the role of current CPUC planning processes. The bill passed to Appropriations. The committee also took up AB 2266, which would consolidate related CPUC compliance reporting, require consistent reliability valuation across programs, and direct an evaluation if CAISO uses backstop procurement; supporters said it would reduce confusion and improve consistency, while opponents warned against forcing one valuation method across different resource types. AB 2266 was also moved to Appropriations. Finally, AB 2175 was taken up on consent and advanced without discussion.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Idaho Code, to support board projects, programs, and initiatives, manage and enhance surface water supplies
- Idaho Code to support board board projects programs and initiatives manage and enhance surface water supplies
- Senators, this bill is regarding e-bikes, electric-assisted bikes.
- This also adds some proposed changes to Code 49-714, which also makes it clear that operators of electric-assisted
- bicycles must follow traffic laws, and they have the same duties that motor vehicle operators have. ...electric-assisted
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, prayer, pledge, and approval of the prior day’s journal, then moved through committee reports, House messages, and bill introductions. Several measures were referred to committees or held on the calendar, including new Senate bills and a number of House bills and resolutions. The chamber also received enrolled bills and transmitted others between the House, Senate, and governor’s office.
The main floor action centered on Senate Bill 1363, the natural resources maintenance appropriation. The bill funded maintenance budgets for the Department of Environmental Quality, Fish and Game, Lands, Parks and Recreation, Water Resources, and the Endowment Fund Investment Board, with reductions tied to statewide adjustments and removal of one-time funding. Supporters described it as a responsible “tightening of the belt,” while opponents argued the cuts would harm firefighting, water management, park staffing, permitting, and other services. After debate, the Senate passed SB 1363 on a roll call vote of 28-7.
The Senate then considered and passed House Bill 558, protecting federal survivor and dependent benefits for children in state custody; House Bill 500, clarifying e-bike and bicycle traffic protections; House Bill 577, eliminating mandatory 10-year license plate replacement; House Bill 636, allowing school districts to use facilities funds for lease purchases; House Bill 539, limiting temporary administrative rules; House Bill 511, raising the cap on the fire suppression surcharge for structures on forest land; House Bill 639, updating midwifery medication authority; and House Bill 628, expanding parent-taught driver education options. House Bill 620, giving county commissioners special-expertise status in federal land management planning, also passed. House Bill 610, which would have extended the homestead tax exemption to homeowners absent for religious missionary service, failed on a 16-17 vote. The Senate then returned to miscellaneous business, made announcements, and adjourned until the next day.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources Feb 5th, 2026
House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- New Mexico faces an undeniable reality: freshwater supplies are diminishing while demand for agriculture
- I'm a registered lobbyist for Kit Carson Electric Co-op.
- House Memorial 45 is not a benign expression of concern for rural water supplies.
- honest conversations, it sounds like there's been economic proposals that, whether it be the rural electric
- neighbor here to my right, because this involves data centers, and they involve not only water but electric
Keywords:
Taos County, Questa, produced water, treated produced water, water reuse, water quality control commission, freshwater conservation, rural communities, acequias, Indian nations, tribes, pueblos, water rights, industrial water use, data centers, artificial intelligence, AI, quantum computing, economic development, renewable energy
Summary:
The committee first heard House Memorial 45, which asked the Water Quality Control Commission to promptly hear a petition seeking consideration of the beneficial reuse of treated produced water. The sponsor and supporters argued that produced water could help conserve freshwater, support agriculture and rural communities, and potentially aid compact obligations with Texas and industrial users. The committee also heard extensive opposition from acequia leaders, environmental groups, and residents who said the science is not yet sufficient, the water contains unknown or proprietary contaminants, and the memorial could pressure regulators or shift pollution burdens to other communities. After questions focused on the meaning of a memorial, the status of the petition, and the role of the Produced Water Research Consortium, a motion to table HM 45 passed, with members explaining they wanted the petition in hand before acting.
The committee then took up House Bill 276, which appropriates $3.3 million to NMSU for the New Mexico Department of Agriculture to support celebration of the 400-year anniversary of winemaking in New Mexico. Supporters described the bill as a statewide agritourism and economic development effort tied to New Mexico’s long wine history, with marketing, signage, and tourism promotion intended to benefit wineries across the state. Members asked about the funding source, the anniversary date, and whether the effort would include wineries outside the south; the sponsor said the campaign would highlight wineries statewide. The committee voted do pass on HB 276.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 300, which would appropriate funds for the care and management of free-roaming horses and related domestic horse management, with an emphasis on tribal and local herd-control efforts using fertility control and trained community members. Supporters said the program would help address overpopulation, grazing impacts, and roadway safety, while opponents questioned relocation plans and whether the money should be spread across more counties. The sponsor and expert witness said trained personnel were already in place and the funds would support implementation. After discussion, the committee voted do pass on HB 300. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would meet again Saturday to hear House Bill 207.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Unfortunately, some of those HOA members did not know what the heck they were supposed to supply.
- They have a lot more requirements with electrical, elevator... ...inspections.
- They have a lot more requirements with electrical, elevator, and plumbing, and all that stuff than we
- And the months of supply are slightly higher.
- that said, the letter said, must evacuate immediately, structural issues, must evacuate immediate electrical
Summary:
The Committee on Regulated Industries met for a panel discussion on current issues affecting Florida condominiums. DBPR Secretary Melanie Griffin highlighted the department’s expanded condo education, complaint, and ombudsman services under HB 1021, including new online resources, board member certification, increased outreach, and broader complaint jurisdiction. She said the division has filled most of its new positions and that the new condo website is intended to improve transparency and access to records and information.
Other panelists focused on insurance, inspections, and market impacts. Insurance agent Mike Clarkson said the condo insurance market remains difficult, especially for older buildings, and raised concerns about roof replacement demands, Citizens’ depopulation practices, and the mismatch between reserve studies and insurer timelines. Building officials representative Ron Laceca described challenges with phase one and phase two inspections, including incomplete databases, limited contractor capacity, and the need for local flexibility and better recordkeeping. University of Florida researcher Bill Hughes said his data show the condo market has not suffered a major overall decline from the new laws; he argued the rules have made costs more transparent and may strengthen the market over time.
Community association manager Jamie Ballard said the biggest pressures on associations are rising insurance costs and early roof replacement requirements, and she supported board certification while opposing the continuing education exemption for long-tenured CAMs. In committee discussion, members pressed witnesses on whether recent condo laws caused insurance and roof-cost problems, and witnesses generally said those issues are driven more by the market than by the legislation. Senators also discussed possible reforms, including better data collection, clearer reporting duties for managers, and possible changes to insurance and reserve practices. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with adjournment.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- that we subtract cars, add locomotives, find additional crews, and it would create delays and affect supply
- Items like pipelines, electric lines, and sewer infrastructure, when those utilities interfere with port
- Even if there is a disruption in the supply chain, although the introduced legislation states that it
- Fueled by electrical, hybrid, or hydrogen power, with the ultimate aim of autonomous unmanned advanced
- for which we then tap into the vast technical capabilities of certification as well as the global supply
Bills:
HB341, HB791, HB1564, HB1695, HB1722, HB1729, HB1772, HB2003, HB2954, HB2989, HB3084, HB3134, HB3135, HB3309, HB3611, HB3679, HB3727, HB3832
Keywords:
affordable housing, zoning, development, community support, local regulations, bicycle lanes, traffic collisions, Texas Department of Transportation, study, public safety, bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, road safety, transportation study, HB 791, Central Catholic High School, San Antonio, specialty license plate, specialty plates
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment & Energy Jan 19th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Environment & Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- Emissions from a coal-fired electric generation facility in operation on or before July 22, 2011, are
- a standard that is inconsistent with the current greenhouse gas emissions standard for baseload electricity
- a standard that is inconsistent with the current greenhouse gas emissions standard for baseload electricity
- But there, as you know well, there's still a need for new electricity generation in our state, and that's
- But there, as you know well, there's still a need for new electricity generation in our state, and that's
Keywords:
6PPD, tires, environmental impact, public health, chemical regulation, HB1652, Salish Sea Protection and Marine Clean Fuels Act, marine fuel, low-sulfur fuel, sulfur emissions, ocean-going vessels, shipping, maritime pollution, air quality, particulate matter, Department of Ecology, port visit, regulated waters, fuel switching, vessel emissions
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee on SF2298 5/17/25
Transcript Highlights:
- The heat is paid for by natural gas or electric, and it is paid for by the tenant.
- </c> heat is paid for natural gas or electric heat is paid for natural gas or electric is<00:21:40.000
- Housing is short in terms of supply. Costs are too high.
- Housing is short in terms of<00:41:44.720><c> supply.
- And we're of supply. Costs are too high.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Judiciary Committee May 6th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And so right now I just want to bring some In Nevada and Arizona across the food supply chain.
- That being said, market supply and demand are going to dictate a lot of what you're able to do with that
- We were able to load 15 U.S. filled with supplies for victims and distributed over 7,000 sandwiches to
- We were able to load 15 U.S., filled with supplies for victims and distributed over 7,000 sandwiches
- So we'd see higher electrical costs, especially if the unit's not being used with anybody in it.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several bills. AB 416 would allow emergency room physicians to initiate 5150 mental health holds, with supporters saying it would reduce emergency room bottlenecks and speed care for patients in crisis. County and behavioral health representatives opposed the bill, and some members raised broader concerns about the 5150 system and juvenile placements. The bill was ultimately approved on a do-pass as amended vote.
AB 446, the Surveillance Pricing Act, drew extensive testimony. The author and supporters argued it would prohibit businesses from using personal data to charge different prices for the same product or service, describing the practice as discriminatory and exploitative. Business and industry groups opposed the bill, warning that its language was too broad, could affect discounts and loyalty programs, and would create litigation risk through a private right of action. After discussion about enforcement and possible amendments, the bill passed on a do-pass motion.
AB 632 would give local governments a faster way to collect penalties for serious code violations, including unsafe housing, fire hazards, and illegal cannabis activity, by allowing certain fines to become money judgments and clarifying lien authority. It had support from county and city groups and no opposition was voiced in the hearing; the bill passed as amended. ACA 7, a constitutional amendment intended to clarify and limit misuse of Section 31A, also moved forward after brief support testimony. The committee then took up AB 649, which would extend protections for businesses that proactively obtain certified access specialist inspections and fix accessibility violations; the author, a small business owner, and others testified in support, while disability rights groups moved to neutral after amendments. Members discussed the balance between access enforcement and reducing predatory litigation, and the bill was still under consideration as the transcript ended.
PA
Transcript Highlights:
- supply through the PJM-based residual auction.
- Maryland, for example, has shuttered 16 power plants, eliminating 4,000 megawatts of electricity.
- Madam Speaker, the underlying bill was drafted with electric distribution companies in mind.
- Madam Speaker, the underlying bill was drafted with electric distribution companies in mind.
- Its mechanisms, incentives, and regulatory design are tailored specifically to the electric sector.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest recognitions, and a quorum call before moving into committee reports and floor action. Committees reported a number of bills and resolutions, including measures from Local Government, Energy, Health, Judiciary, Appropriations, Rules, and Finance. The chamber also announced caucus and committee meetings, then recessed and later reconvened for final consideration of legislation.
Several bills passed the House finally, including House Bill 2299 on body cameras for county probation officers, House Bill 167 designating a scenic byway along Allegheny River Boulevard, House Bill 95 requiring disclosure when content or advertising is generated or substantially modified by artificial intelligence, House Bill 1944 expanding medical amnesty and Good Samaritan protections on campuses, House Bill 2443 creating a child victim recovery fund, House Bill 246 updating references from the Public Welfare Code to the Human Services Code, and House Bill 2586 establishing title protection for music therapists. The House also adopted House Resolution 463 recognizing Korean-American Citizenship Day, House Resolution 499 recognizing Juneteenth Independence Day, and House Resolution 547 directing a study of electronic monitoring as an alternative to incarceration.
The House spent significant time on amendments to House Bill 133, which concerns reinstatement of parental rights, and House Bill 138, which addresses parental incarceration and termination of parental rights. Both bills received bipartisan amendments adding guardrails and exceptions, and the amendments were adopted unanimously. The chamber also debated House Bill 2224, the Fair Act, with multiple amendments on utility rates, return on equity, and scope; some amendments were adopted, several tied votes failed, and the bill was left amended for reprinting. House Bill 2544, dealing with school administrators’ rights and negotiations, saw an amendment to allow individual bargaining, but that amendment failed and the bill was agreed to. The session ended with a correction to the record on House Bill 1944, a motion to recommit several bills to Appropriations, and adjournment until June 22, 2026.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Municipal and County Government (05/05/2026)
Municipal and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- What if you have a data center that is going only to affect the water and electric supply of multiple
- /c><01:37:51.240><c> a</c><01:37:51.320><c> burden</c><01:37:51.880><c> on</c><01:37:52.880><c> electrical
- </c><01:37:53.760><c> and</c> which puts a burden on electrical and which puts a burden on electrical
- <01:40:51.800><c> supply</c><01:40:52.440><c> of</c><01:40:52.680><c> multiple</c> electric supply of
- multiple electric supply of multiple municipalities<01:40:54.800><c> surrounding</c><01:40:55.440><c
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/24/2026 - House Republican Caucus Calendar #7
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 2912, as amended by ENRU, directs the Arizona Corporation Commission to require an electric
- The designated providers have been certified to have acquired a 100-year water supply in their areas—City
- in an active management area, you have to prove up for each house that you have a 100-year water supply
- Groundwater Replenishment District helps with the purpose of adding up to that 100% 100-year water supply
- So I think this is just urging support. ...for water supply outside the designated areas, so I think
Summary:
The meeting was a lengthy caucus-style review of many bills and resolutions across multiple committees, with staff giving brief descriptions and most items placed on consent or third-read consent calendars. Topics included appropriations, commerce, education, government, health and human services, environment, public safety, and transportation. Measures discussed ranged from school policy and board continuations to housing, water, public safety, licensing, and election-related changes. Several bills were noted as strike-everything amendments or as having been amended in committee.
A number of bills drew sponsor comments or brief questions. In education, members discussed bills on teacher strikes, school math placement, school meals, student clubs, bond election disclosures, and a proposed commission on student outcomes. In health and human services, members discussed nursing board rules, pharmacist testing and treatment authority, medical records timelines, opioid antagonist expiration dates, and a proposed constitutional amendment on the right to refuse medical mandates. In government and public safety, members debated funding and staffing issues for DPS and corrections, including a proposed public safety parity fund, as well as bills on county sheriffs, legal representation for DPS, and corrections oversight funding.
There was also discussion of election and local government measures, including inactive voter list procedures, circulator disclosure rules, and committee termination filings. Other topics included housing affordability districts, development fees, historic-area middle housing exemptions, water and groundwater management, environmental compatibility siting, and trade-related commissions. One notable exchange involved HB 4044, where members debated whether using rainy day fund interest for public safety pay was fiscally responsible; supporters argued it was a practical way to fund raises, while opponents said it would weaken the fund and should instead be handled through the general fund. No roll-call votes were taken in the transcript, and most items were simply presented, briefly discussed, and left on consent or third-read consent calendars.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Education Subcommittee Feb 16th, 2026 at 10:00 am
A&B Education Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- I mean, in Texas, they have, Electricity and fuel and all those sorts of things.
- And so this would help address the supply side of that equation.
- And so this would help address the supply side of that equation.
- What we haven't done is address as much the supply side of the equation.
- We haven't been able to address as much the supply side of the equation.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 30th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The California Labor Federation, together with their electrical workers, teamsters, auto workers, professional
- PFAS, the forever chemicals that we have been introducing bills to try to eliminate from our water supplies
- every day and to see that her son is in the state capitol after she grew up on an island with no electricity
- And we should also focus on supply, making sure that we have housing. the number of Californians that
- So it's going to create real change for the supply side of housing to build the housing that we want
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- You need water, you need sewer, and electricity, and sewers.
- I think the water supply varies from year to year.
- I think the water supply varies from year to year.
- </c><00:17:04.839><c> they</c> pay for some the water supply they pay for some the water supply they
- </c> for the water supply for the water supply there's<00:17:29.600><c> been</c><00:17:29.760><c> some
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- increasing the criminal penalty of the offense of the criminal mischief involving impairment of the electric
- Supply equipment for the Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence HB 1714 by Collier relating to the prosecution
- Elishment of Electric Truck Advisory Council for the Committee on State Affairs.
- Certain coastal facilities and provisions of electric services referred the Committee on State Affairs
- , services based on the electric electricity transfer for the Committee of Ways and Means.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 24th, 2025
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- Whether that's water, wastewater, or electricity, we need to do this in a way that de-risks it from our
- But without working closely with our electric utilities, electric cooperatives, telephone broadband,
- So, then the electrical inspector comes once every two years. ...weeks to the town, and they inspected
- You also need water, internet, and electricity. So that's the basics, but you also need that stuff.
- So these funds help build a more resilient food and agricultural Supply chain.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Committee Aug 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- People make the false claims that the data centers will raise your electrical rates.
- You know, whether it's the cooling or the electrical or the grid support, and the land, right?
- The other vulnerability is potentially a backdoor into the electrical or other utility grid in North
- Yeah, I think we're happy to supply actual legislative language.
- My name is Darren Erisman, and I have a background in physics and electrical computer engineering.
Summary:
The committee met at Minot State and approved the prior minutes. The main focus of the meeting was a legislative study on artificial intelligence, especially protections for children from AI-generated sexual exploitation and chatbot harms, along with possible statutory responses. Legislative Council staff reviewed North Dakota and federal law on CSAM, deepfakes, obscenity, age verification, and recent federal and state actions. Members discussed whether North Dakota’s 2025 laws on minors and harmful sexual material should be compared with newer court-approved approaches, and staff agreed to circulate additional comparison material before the next meeting.
State Superintendent Levi Bachmeier then outlined how AI is affecting K-12 education. He emphasized safety, family partnership, and keeping teachers central, while warning against both doing nothing and overregulating so heavily that students lose access to useful tools. He said digital literacy should be embedded across subjects rather than taught as a standalone AI class, and suggested guardrails such as requiring basic instruction before one-to-one device use, limiting passive use at the elementary level, and giving parents more transparency about device activity. Members asked about balancing local control with state guidance, and Bachmeier said the state should set reasonable guardrails, use performance data to tailor oversight, and draw on higher education, K-12 experts, and private-sector support.
Special Agent Hellseth of North Dakota BCI described AI-driven child exploitation cases and said the problem is already happening in the state. He reported 2,698 cyber tips in 2025 and explained that AI is being used to create explicit images from ordinary photos, impersonate children and adults, facilitate extortion and bullying, and accelerate grooming. He said investigators must treat reports as real until proven otherwise, but AI also helps law enforcement analyze large volumes of data and identify synthetic images. He urged stronger company accountability, better reporting and safeguards, more victim services, training, forensic tools, and public education. Members asked about false accusations, compliance, and federal reporting rules, and he said existing federal law requires reporting but does not make companies proactive enough. The committee did not take final legislative action, but members indicated the testimony would inform a comprehensive bill draft for a future meeting.