Transcript Highlights:

• The information in the middle of the page is the balances, the current balance is the most current that
• There is an appropriation from that fund for the school K-12 funding formula.
• But we are still, and then for the following categories as well, we are still in the middle of income
• East... ...pessimistic forecast unfolding because of the Middle East situation.
• Because I remember in budget section years ago, I was in the middle of that discussion. Mr.

Committee: Joint Government Finance Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The information in the middle of the page is the balances, the current balance is the most current that
• There is an appropriation from that fund for the school K-12 funding formula.
• But we are still, and then for the following categories as well, we are still in the middle of income
• East. ...because of the Middle East situation.
• Because I remember in budget section years ago, I was in the middle of that discussion. Mr.

Committee: Joint Government Finance Committee

Summary: The Government Finance Committee met with new leadership and approved the December 11 minutes. The committee first received an update from the Office of Management and Budget on the state general fund and major special funds. OMB reported revenues were tracking very close to forecast, with an estimated ending general fund balance of about $397 million, higher than previously expected. Staff also reviewed balances in the budget stabilization fund, legacy fund, foundation aid stabilization fund, social services fund, and strategic investment and improvements fund, along with oil tax collections and the current revenue picture. Legislative Council staff then summarized the special session budget changes and noted the updated beginning balance increased the projected ending balance for the next biennium. The Tax Department presented taxable sales and purchases data by county and industry, showing overall sales tax activity remained strong, with retail trade the largest sector and several counties posting notable gains. Commissioner Kraschis then reviewed federal tax changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and estimated their impact on North Dakota income tax collections, explaining that the figures were compared to the 2025 baseline and would be incorporated into future forecasts. Members asked about the overtime and tip exclusions, the senior standard deduction, and the primary residence property tax credit application count, which was running ahead of last year at more than 154,000 applications. The committee also heard from the Department of Transportation on fee schedules, with members focusing on driver’s license fees and the fact that current fees cover only about half of program costs, meaning the highway fund subsidizes the remainder. DOT also reported on specialty plate activity, including nearly 3,900 blackout plates issued, and noted increased state fleet usage. The Information Technology Department explained its internal service fund rate-setting process and discussed possible billing simplification, including annual billing and improved invoice detail. OMB also provided data on leased office space in the Bismarck-Mandan area and state workforce counts, and Legislative Council updated the committee on legislative branch space planning. Finally, subcommittee reports noted continued work on fixed-route transit funding and regional jail capacity, including Burleigh-Morton’s new DOCR housing wing and ongoing overcrowding in state correctional facilities. No formal votes beyond the minutes approval were taken, and the meeting adjourned with the next meeting set for June 25.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need middle, the missing middle. We need to address all housing.
• We need middle, the missing middle. We need to address all housing.
• We need middle, the missing middle. We need to address all housing.
• We need middle, the missing middle.<00:32:06.640><c> We</c><00:32:06.880><c> need</c><00:32:07.360><c
• </c> the middle of a roll call vote. the middle of a roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm just curious, is there a breakdown between traditional public schools and public charter schools
• , whether it's school district, whether it's a charter school, and then I go also further and compare
• The mission of the Idaho Division of Career Technical Education spans middle school all the way through
• The mission of the Idaho Division of Career Technical Education spans middle school all the way through
• So I would see more emphasis early on in fundamental literacy, K-6, middle school, more emphasis in exploration

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a parent to three kids, and my middle son, Brendan, is 14, and he lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy
• I wish he could be here today, but he nabbed the role of Lord Farquaad in his school musical, and today
• One of my other children was in school with two siblings with Duchenne.
• One of my other children was in school with two siblings with DeShane's.
• with them. ...was heart-wrenching for everyone who was in school with them.

Summary: The Health Care Budget Subcommittee met and took up four bills. First, CS/HB 633 by Rep. Koster on managing entity reporting and transparency for behavioral health services was amended to clarify reporting requirements and timing, and to address the bill’s fiscal implementation through conferencing. Members and one public speaker supported the measure, emphasizing accountability and better use of state funds. The bill was reported favorably. Next, CS/HB 531 by Rep. Hunschofsky on background screenings was amended with a strike-all that would require ACCA to create a public webpage with screening education, level-two screening standards, and a searchable catalog of positions requiring screening. Because the amendment changed the bill’s relating-to clause, the chair noted it would be temporarily postponed under House Rule 7.11D and returned to the committee later. The committee then heard HB 1089 by Rep. Booth, which adds Duchenne muscular dystrophy to the recommended newborn screening panel, subject to appropriation. A parent testified in strong support, describing the benefits of earlier diagnosis and treatment, and several members spoke in favor. The bill was reported favorably. Finally, CS/HB 907 by Rep. Anderson created the Sunshine Genetics Program, an opt-in newborn whole-genome sequencing program, and established the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at FSU and a Sunshine Genetics Consortium. An amendment made funding contingent on appropriations and added Nicholas Children’s Hospital and Florida International University to the consortium board. After supportive testimony and debate, the bill was also reported favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• school has.
• , middle schools, or high schools.
• But at the same time, we've got some schools out there that are public schools, traditional schools,
• All schools, not just charter schools.
• Chair, Senator Lanier, a school should... be testing students at least at the beginning, the middle,

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• I quit a career to go to law school.
• That's one less dollar that a struggling middle-class family has to put their kid from failing schools
• into a better private school.
• And we're already changing that game right in the middle of it. It's my biggest concern.
• And I caution my colleagues, next year, we are going to be in the middle of our re-elections.

Bills: HB88 , HB181 , HB210 , HB250 , HB486 , HB529 , HB544 , HB639 , HB996 , HB1036 , HB1071 , HB1113

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• High school German and middle school Spanish programs have been cut, depriving... ...students of valuable
• By middle school and high school, students know how much money is in their account, and many fear being
• school nutrition programs, improving school nutrition finances.
• In a middle school where I’m at, and in a high school, teachers are taking attendance every hour, and
• Peter's School District.

Bills: HF51 , HF1161 , HF2201 , HF2786 , HF1053

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Colm Kill School in Brighton from kindergarten through high school.
• Their son, Robert Jr., was born in 1966. kindergarten through high school.
• Because I'll tell you, if we can't increase the amount of working-class and middle-class families who
• As my colleagues know, it's 2026, and we're in the middle of an energy affordability crisis, as we've
• I recall it was approximately 8:30, and it was in my office, and we were in the middle of a debate, and

Summary: The Senate continued debate on House 5175, An Act Relative to Energy Affordability, Clean Power, and Economic Competitiveness, taking up a series of amendments focused on clean energy procurement, oversight, gas infrastructure, housing impacts, and ratepayer costs. Amendment 22, offered by Senator Rogers, was rejected 5-34 after he argued the underlying bill already improves clean energy procurement and reduces utility middlemen. Senator Tarr then offered Amendment 34 to expand reporting, oversight boards, and consumer representation, and to strike provisions on consumer choice, gas program frameworks, and municipal procurement authority; it was also rejected 5-34 after supporters of the bill said the legislation already strengthens oversight through the EEAC, a new review board, and DPU audits. The chamber also considered Amendment 77 by Senator Eldridge to end ratepayer-funded gas line extension subsidies for new construction. Supporters said the subsidy unfairly shifts costs to all ratepayers, favors gas over cleaner alternatives, and could save about $1.6 billion over ten years; opponents argued it could raise housing construction costs, especially for gateway cities and large projects. After extended debate, the amendment failed 19-20. Senator Moore withdrew Amendment 65, which would have created a commission on reducing emissions from medium- and heavy-duty vehicles while preserving long-term zero-emissions goals. Several other amendments were adopted, including measures on low-income discount charges, environmental justice protections, data and tax printing, and increased access to plug-in solar. The Senate also adopted the Ways and Means amendment, ordered the bill to a third reading, and then passed it to be engrossed by a roll call vote of 32-8. Separately, the Senate adopted a Judiciary extension order after removing two bills from it, and agreed to adjourn in memory of Robert G. Najarian.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House bill relative to recess for elementary and middle school students, House No. 543.
• An act relative to recess for elementary and middle school students, House No. 543.

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several procedural matters. It adopted an order extending the reporting deadline for a Community Development and Small Business matter to March 18, 2026, and suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow two petitions to be referred: one on medication administration in rest homes and another on concealment of the death of a child born out of wedlock. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling also recommended a slate of bills for House consideration, including measures on Building Trades Recovery Week, accidental death benefits for a former Boston firefighter’s surviving spouse, recess for elementary and middle school students, satisfaction of money judgments, police age-waiver matters for Jose Reyes and Jonathan Gagney, and advertising for justices of the peace. The House suspended Rule 7A to proceed with these matters. The chamber then advanced the listed bills through second reading and ordered seven of them to a third reading. It also passed House No. 4502, amending the Town Manager Act of Arlington, to be enacted. Several bills released from the Committee on Bills in the Third Reading were then taken up: House No. 4740, waiving the maximum age requirement for a Boston police officer applicant, and House No. 4817, authorizing an additional all-alcoholic-beverages license in Pembroke, both passed to be engrossed. House No. 5014, establishing a sick leave bank for Sonia Felix of the Department of Transitional Assistance, was amended on the floor to change wording and add an emergency preamble, then passed to be engrossed as amended. The House also adopted an order to adjourn and concluded by adjourning to meet the following Monday at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House bill relative to recess for elementary and middle school students, House No. 543.
• An act relative to recess for elementary and middle school students, House No. 543.

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then took up several procedural matters. On motions to suspend the rules, it adopted an order extending until March 18, 2026, the reporting deadline for the Committee on Community Development and Small Business, and it also suspended Joint Rule 12 to allow referral of two petitions: one on medication administration in rest homes to the Committee on Aging and Independence, and one on concealment of the death of a child born out of wedlock to the Judiciary Committee. The House also suspended Rule 7A to proceed with scheduling and consideration of bills. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling recommended several bills for House consideration, including measures designating Building Trades Recovery Week, providing accidental death benefits for the surviving spouse of a former Boston firefighter, recess requirements for elementary and middle school students, reporting of satisfaction of money judgments, age-waiver legislation for police applicants in Boston and Haverhill, and a bill on advertising for justices of the peace. The House ordered these bills to a third reading after second reading, and separately passed House No. 4502, amending the Town Manager Act of Arlington, to be enacted. The House then took up third-reading bills and passed House No. 4740, waiving the maximum age requirement for a Boston police officer applicant, and House No. 4817, authorizing Pembroke to grant an additional off-premises alcohol license, both to be engrossed. It also considered House No. 5014, establishing a sick leave bank for Sonia Felix of the Department of Transitional Assistance; an amendment was adopted to revise the bill’s language and add an emergency preamble, and the bill was then passed to be engrossed as amended. The session concluded with adoption of an order to adjourn and the House adjourning to meet the following Monday at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House bill relative to recess for elementary and middle school students, House No. 543.
• An act relative to recess for elementary and middle school students, House No. 543.

Transcript Highlights:

• School safety.
• Community schools. Thank you for your support with community schools.
• after-school programs.
• Teaching as a classroom teacher, I taught at the elementary and middle school level in both Arizona and
• schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since the time that I was in middle school, the leading cause of death for teens has been firearms.
• </c> Since the time that I was in middle Since the time that I was in middle school,<00:17:37.600><c>
• Are middle schools or high schools where we have school resource officers?
• are middle schools or high schools?
• are middle schools or high school<00:57:43.680><c> where</c><00:57:43.920><c> we</c><00:57:44.160><c>

Summary: The committee took up House File 4893, a school safety and gun violence prevention bill, and first adopted a DE1 amendment before hearing the bill. The author and supporters described the measure as a layered approach to school safety, combining increased funding for student support personnel, required school safety plans, and anonymous threat reporting systems. They cited research from the Violence Prevention Project and other sources arguing that many school shooters are insiders, often show warning signs, and frequently leak plans beforehand, making early intervention and trusted adults in schools important. Members and testifiers also discussed the bill’s firearm storage provisions. Representative Green explained that the bill would require firearms on school property and in vehicles to be unloaded and locked, and would limit or remove principals’ discretion to allow firearms in school buildings, while preserving access for trained school security personnel. Supporters said the bill would improve clarity and safety for schools, while a representative from private schools raised concerns that the language could limit flexibility and create staffing and accountability problems for non-public schools, prompting discussion of possible amendments. Several student and organizational testifiers supported the bill, including students from Edina High School, Education Minnesota, the Minnesota School Counselors Association, and the Children’s Defense Fund Minnesota. They emphasized the impact of gun violence on students’ mental health and learning, the value of anonymous reporting systems, and the need to invest in counselors, social workers, psychologists, and nurses. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided, but the committee did adopt the DE1 amendment and continued discussion of possible changes, including with the BCA and school safety center.

Transcript Highlights:

• The boys went on to high school, and they died while they were in high school.
• For example, Billy was the geography bee champion in elementary, middle, and high school.
• We use this all the way through middle school.
• school.
• Hillsdale College is just a wonderful school, classical school in Michigan.

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's public schools, and public schools owns about 85% of the acres of the endowment acres.
• to the earnings reserve fund for the public schools endowment.
• So it's public schools and public schools owns about 85. effective property.
• So it's public schools and public school zones about 85% of the acres, of the endowment acres.
• to the earnings reserve fund for the public schools endowment.

Committee: House Resources and Conservation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the Owatana Public Schools. the Owatana Public Schools.
• Are school districts or school boards not allowed to set their policy?
• Are school districts or school boards not allowed to set their policy?
• Are they, is a school district or school board required to respond to anonymous requests?
• Are they re is a school request.

Summary: The committee heard House File 1999 informationally only, with no formal action taken. Representative Green explained that the bill addresses large and sometimes anonymous data requests made to school districts and other government entities, arguing that while public access to data is essential, some requests create significant staff and cost burdens when requesters do not follow through. She described examples from districts that spent thousands of dollars preparing data that was never inspected, and said the bill aims to add accountability while preserving open government and press access. Testifiers largely supported the bill’s goals but discussed technical changes. Matt Eling of Minnesotans for Open Government said the amendment largely codifies existing guidance on handling large requests by breaking them into components and allowing inspection or copying in stages. Superintendent Jeff Felson of Owatonna Public Schools said his district had received 12 anonymous requests in three years, nine of which were abandoned, costing about $40,000, and one large request cost more than $400,000 and required significant staff time. Rich Newmeister also supported the effort but raised concern about language referring to providing data on a “rolling basis,” suggesting training and clearer guidance for districts instead. Members asked whether school districts already set their own data-request policies, whether anonymous requests must be answered, and how the bill would affect private personnel data. Representative Green said districts do have their own policies, anonymous requests are allowed under current law, and the bill is meant to provide clearer statutory guidance. She also said she was open to removing the “rolling basis” language after feedback. The discussion ended with general support for the bill’s intent and a reminder from the chair that the hearing was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• for on-base schools.
• My name is Filma Fonsenelia, and I'm a middle school ELA and social studies teacher. Thank you.
• My name is Filma Fonsenelia and I'm a middle school ELA and social studies teacher. Thank you.
• Committee, my name is Philma Fonsenelia, and I'm a middle school ELA and social studies teacher, a member
• school.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 5901, which would change the school construction assistance program so that instructional space on military bases is excluded from a district’s available space inventory when calculating state construction aid. Staff explained the bill would also require state assistance to equal approved project cost minus federal funding received. Senator Christian said the measure is intended to prevent military-base facilities from unfairly reducing districts’ ability to modernize or build schools. Testimony in support came from OSPI, Clover Park School District, and Medical Lake School District, which said the current formula penalizes districts serving military families and can leave them unable to secure needed renovation funding. No opposition was heard, and the bill was later described as having an indeterminate fiscal impact. The committee then took up Senate Bill 5860 on school board compensation. The bill would raise director pay from $50 to $100 per day, increase the annual cap, allow child care expenses to be reimbursed, require OFM to periodically adjust compensation, and direct WASDA to develop finance training for school directors. Senator Cortez said the changes are needed to broaden who can serve on school boards and to help working families participate. Supporters from OSPI, WASDA, and South Sound superintendents said compensation could improve diversity and help recruit and retain board members, though WASDA noted concerns about diverting district funds and said its members do not have consensus on mandatory training. Opponents argued the bill would misuse levy funds and that child care and other expenses should not be paid from local education levies. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5956 on artificial intelligence, student discipline, and surveillance in schools, which would bar automated systems from being the sole basis for discipline decisions, prohibit risk scores and biometric surveillance, require OSPI guidance updates, and direct WASDA to create model policy. Senator Nobles and supporters said the bill is needed to protect students from discriminatory and inaccurate AI-driven decisions; no vote was taken in the hearing. Finally, the committee heard a proposed substitute for Senate Bill 5574, which would require districts to include instruction on Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, Latino American, and Black American history in required social studies courses during the regular curriculum review cycle, with reporting beginning in 2030. Senator Nobles said the bill is meant to address exclusion and bias in history education and to help students see themselves reflected in the curriculum. Testifiers from education, student, parent, and community groups overwhelmingly supported the measure, saying it would improve belonging, reduce bullying, and build on existing curriculum resources without creating a new course or major new cost. The hearing ended without a vote or other formal action on SB 5956 or SB 5574.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as a former school board member, I know what challenges it has become for a lot of schools...
• Rick Brown, I'm here representing the School Energy Coalition, which is a group of schools and private
• Unified School District.
• The School of the Arts is a nationally known school. Samueli Academy is a nationally known school.
• Number four, the COVID law school—excuse me, COVID school closure lawsuit against Governor Newsom.

Summary: The committee met as a subcommittee because quorum was initially lacking, and the state auditor gave an update on his office’s workload, including several JALAC audits in progress, other statutory audits, staffing growth, and capacity to begin additional audits. Members also announced that one audit request on Prop. 28 was being held and that the PUC request would be moved off consent for presentation. After quorum was later established, the committee took up and approved several audit requests, including the DMV license revocation audit on consent, the CPUC utility interconnection timeliness audit, and the Caltrans SR 710 extension project audit. The fusion centers audit was approved on call, while the Orange County Board of Education audit was still being discussed when the transcript ended. Senator Cervantes presented the fusion centers audit request, arguing that California’s fusion centers operate with little public oversight and may collect, share, and retain sensitive information without adequate legal authority, privacy protections, or accountability. Supporters, including former FBI agent Mike German and an ACLU representative, said the centers function as opaque intelligence-sharing hubs and have a history of inaccurate or biased reporting. The state auditor said the audit would examine the State Threat Assessment Center and two local fusion centers, focusing on oversight, legal authority, data quality, disclosure controls, use of private vendors, funding, and performance metrics, while noting possible access and public disclosure limits because of intelligence-related information. The request drew sharp criticism from one member, who called it politicized and unnecessary, but it ultimately advanced on call. Senator Allen’s CPUC audit request focused on the commission’s enforcement of Rule 21 interconnection timelines for customer-sited solar and storage projects. Supporters said utilities routinely miss deadlines, causing delays and added costs for schools, nonprofits, businesses, and homeowners, while CPUC staff said the commission has public reporting, workshops, and an active proceeding to address the issue. The auditor said the review would examine CPUC monitoring, enforcement tools, and data on why utilities struggle to comply, estimating about 3,500 hours of work. The committee approved the request after discussion about whether an audit or legislative oversight would be the best tool. Senator Perez and Assembly Member Fong presented the Caltrans 710 corridor audit request, describing tenant complaints about mold, pests, deferred maintenance, inconsistent pricing, unclear communications, and delays in the affordable sales program created under the Roberti Act. Caltrans said it had completed many sales, was moving additional properties, and remained committed to transparency and compliance. The auditor said the review would examine whether Caltrans is complying with the Roberti Act, how it sets affordable prices, appraisal and appeal practices, communications with buyers, rent accounting, property maintenance, and follow-up on prior audit recommendations. The committee also heard Senator Umberg’s request to audit the Orange County Board of Education over transparency, contracting, litigation spending, charter oversight, and whistleblower issues; supporters argued the board’s actions warranted scrutiny, while board representatives said there was no factual basis for an audit and that complaints, enforcement actions, and legal challenges were minimal or absent.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please introduce yourself and go ahead. school the difference between a school the difference between
• They're still often in high school.
• </c> home they're still often in high school home they're still often in high school uh<00:26:07.320>
• This is not a critique of our cities, our counties, and our school districts.
• </c> our cities our counties and our school our cities our counties and our school districts<00:41:44.880

Bills: HF2254 , HF2302 , HF2502 , HF2315 , HF2475 , HF2086

Committee: House Taxes