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TX

Texas 89th Regular

Public Health Mar 3rd, 2025

Public Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • So the data she presented was it's 3%? Correct. Okay. But I'd like to see the data. That's okay.
  • including vital events data, hospital data, the health care workforce data that we provide, as well as
  • other survey data.
  • , provisional healthcare billing data to get. provisional vital statistics data so we could move forward
  • And so we do want to keep looking at all of this data over time. prioritizing the most recent data that
Committee: House Public Health
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Senate in Session Feb 26th, 2026

Florida Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • They have those types of data for us.
  • A significant portion of it is from AI data centers and other super users.
  • growth of data center capacity within the United States during that time.
  • This is a very strong step in the right direction of regulating data centers.
  • But we've had data centers here in the United States since the 1940s.
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, several introductions, and an announcement that there would be no weekend conference. The chamber then took up a long special-order calendar of bills, generally moving each measure through third reading and final passage, often by substituting House companion bills. Early measures included trust law modernization (SB 786/HB 895), military affairs changes and Guard retirement corrections (SB 474), rounding rules for cash transactions as pennies phase out (SB 1074), podiatric medicine regulation and informed-consent requirements (SB 1092), veterans court expansion (SB 50/HB 199), RV park special assessment clarification (SB 118), concurrent jurisdiction for juvenile offenses on military installations (SB 502/HB 351), alcoholic beverage loss deductions (SB 678/HB 1137), and bail bond/pretrial release revisions (SB 600). Most passed unanimously or near-unanimously; SB 600 passed 36-1 after questions about charitable bail bonds and an amendment aligning with the House version and prosecutors’ concerns. The Senate also considered bills on portable electronics and eyewear insurance (SB 772), the linking industry to nursing education fund and health science workforce programs (SB 1246), recovery residences and behavioral health licensing (SB 1030, with a technical amendment on background checks and probationary licenses), felony battery enhancements for repeat offenders and offenses against law enforcement (SB 436), and child welfare changes including foster-home visitor screening, a permanent statewide Step Into Success program, and a best-practices repository (SB 1718). These measures were explained by sponsors as efforts to streamline regulation, improve workforce and health-care training, strengthen public safety, and reduce administrative burdens while preserving safeguards. Votes on these bills were overwhelmingly favorable, with final tallies typically 36-0 or 37-0. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to a farewell tribute to Senator Lori Berman. Members from both parties praised her leadership, collegiality, policy work, and advocacy on issues including voting rights, women’s rights, Israel and antisemitism, school safety, breast cancer, and family law. Berman delivered a lengthy farewell reflecting on her 16 years in the Legislature, her caucus leadership, and the importance of dignity, respect, and public service. The Senate adopted a motion to spread her remarks upon the journal and then recessed before returning to continue the calendar.
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

BOYS STATE May 29th, 2026

BOYS STATE

Transcript Highlights:
  • So it really is affecting new data centers the most. I have a follow-up.
  • So Boone County might not want to have a data center.
  • First, I think we should vote for it because what's stopping data centers from not sharing data or sharing
  • Each county gets its option in providing these data centers.
  • And those types of data centers are good.
Committee: All BOYS STATE
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • definition of personal information and aligns that definition with the definition in My Health, My Data
  • House Bill 2606 concerns the Office of Privacy and Data Protection.
  • The Office serves as a central resource for state agencies regarding data privacy and data protection
  • We've got the Office of Equity, and we have the Office of Privacy and Data Protection.
  • We have the amazing Katie Ruckel from our Office of Data Privacy. The small but mighty...
Summary: The Technology, Economic Development, and Veterans Committee first met in executive session on House Bills 2157, 2351, 2365, 2357, and 2446. Staff briefed proposed substitutes and amendments for each bill. HB 2157, concerning high-risk AI systems, was amended to exempt activities regulated by the Fair Credit Reporting Act and covered entities under HIPAA; members discussed balancing consumer protections with flexibility for developers and deployers. HB 2351, addressing protections for emergency responders and emergency operations, was described as clarifying definitions and procedures, including a mental health crisis defense and changes to emergency operation zone notifications; some members raised concerns about deconfliction and implementation details. HB 2365, on digital equity, was amended with several definitional and data-sharing proposals, though some amendments were rejected over fiscal concerns. HB 2357, creating the Washington Division of Civil Air Patrol within the Military Department, passed without amendment. HB 2446, on developing a quantum technology industry strategy, was amended to extend the strategy deadline, broaden who Commerce may contract with, and correct terminology; members noted concerns about industry involvement in the strategic plan and fiscal impacts. All five bills were reported out of committee with do pass recommendations, with recorded votes of 8-5 on HB 2157, HB 2351, and HB 2365, unanimous support for HB 2357, and 12-1 for HB 2446. The committee then held a public hearing on HB 2523, which would make the community reinvestment program ongoing, require periodic updates and reporting, and direct a study of fund distribution and use. Testifiers from workforce boards, tribal programs, reentry services, community organizations, and Commerce described successful uses of the program for job training, reentry, small business support, legal services, and economic mobility, and urged the bill’s passage. Some suggested strengthening accountability, reporting, and access for new organizations. Commerce staff said the program has served more than 190,000 people and supported over 400 organizations, and asked for technical adjustments to keep administrative costs low. The bill was then closed for hearing. The committee also heard HB 2606, which would revise the Office of Privacy and Data Protection’s duties and performance measures, remove some reporting requirements, and add review of agency AI projects. The prime sponsor described it as a “stay-in-your-lane” cleanup bill responding to JLARC recommendations, and the state chief privacy officer testified in support, saying the office could implement the changes within existing resources. After questions about local government support and public resources, the hearing on HB 2606 was closed and the committee adjourned.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

October 14, 2025 - 03:30 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • IT'S WHY WE WANT TO COLLECT DATA ON A REAL-TIME BASIS.
  • I HOPE WE CAN GET THAT DATA SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.
  • WE ARE GOING TO BE COLLECTING MORE DATA.
  • YOU MENTIONED DIVIDENDS AND CLAIMS DATA.
  • LET'S COLLECT THE DATA AND GET THAT DATA SOONER.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • And so, Representative Feist, is there data that proves that this is restorative?
  • Co-Chair Scott and I would be happy to share with you some data.
  • </c><00:12:49.920><c> that</c> representative Fe is there data that representative Fe is there data that
  • </c> think that it's very clear from the data think that it's very clear from the data that<00:13:41.360
  • </c><00:14:02.279><c> in</c> like we have really wonderful data in like we have really wonderful data
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Elections Mar 13th, 2025

Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • If there are no data points, you can't do it. We've got to find out what those data points are.
  • Can remove those data points so that this can't happen again. So what's a data point?
  • Each cup sold is a single data point. It's hard to determine meaning from a single data point.
  • The definition of a data point then must include information about the collection of data points.
  • A precinct number is a data point. What you just described is a data point.
Bills: HB429 , HB496 , HB640 , HB657 , HB665 , HB677 , HB952
Committee: House Elections
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 2/25/25

Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • So the first subdivision is called foundational natural resources data and information.
  • So the first subdivision is called foundational natural resources data and information.
  • So the first subdivision is called foundational natural resources data and information.
  • So the first subdivision is called foundational natural resources data and information.
  • So the first subdivision is called foundational natural resources data and information.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • legislators public data either, even members on the Legislative Audit Commission.
  • </c><00:31:30.440><c> or</c> that we don't get public data or that we don't get public data or non-public
  • </c> non-public data from the legislative non-public data from the legislative auditor<00:31:34.639><
  • </c><00:58:06.640><c> and</c> to the IG related to data and to the IG related to data and so<00:58:08.319
  • um that data prevent abuse to prevent um that data from<01:03:41.880><c> falling</c><01:03:42.160><c
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

PBS Info Briefing - Mon Aug 18, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:14:27.600><c> to</c> services and deliver realtime data to services and deliver realtime data
  • This is what this is data that way.
  • </c> interventionist style aisle of data interventionist style aisle of data collection.<00:26:29.200
  • </c> interventionist data collection. Okay. interventionist data collection. Okay.
  • </c> think it is here according to the data. think it is here according to the data.
Summary: The House Committee on Public Safety held an informational briefing on the second anniversary of the Maui wildfires, with Chair Dela Alani framing the discussion around emergency preparedness, recovery, and lessons for future disasters. The main presentation came from researchers involved in the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study, who described the project as a grassroots academic-community partnership that has enrolled more than 2,000 adults and children for health screenings, social assessments, and biomonitoring. They said the study has documented elevated mental and physical health conditions, housing instability, unemployment, barriers to care, and exposure to heavy metals and other toxicants, while also noting some modest improvement in adult mental health and self-rated health compared with the prior year. The presenters emphasized that wildfire impacts remain severe two years later. They reported that about half of adult participants had worsening health since the fires, roughly 40% had direct or frequent fire exposure, and many adults showed chronic disease burdens such as hypertension, diabetes, and respiratory impairment. They also said about half of adult survivors reported depressive symptoms, about a quarter had moderate to severe anxiety, more than 4% had considered suicide in the prior month, and nearly one in four had PTSD. A clinician from the Lahaina Certified Community Behavioral Health Center described the clinic’s no-turn-away model, with case management, therapy, psychiatric evaluation, and medication management for anyone who needs it, and urged lawmakers to fund and expand that approach. The researchers also highlighted environmental findings, saying urine testing of more than 1,200 adults found heavy metal signatures that differed between burn-zone residents and those on the perimeter, with higher levels associated with displacement and ash re-exposure. They said about 20% of participants had higher-than-expected heavy metal levels 6 to 12 months after the fires, and cited a negative association between nickel levels and lung function. They argued for long-term monitoring, better cleanup methods, and a centralized health surveillance system tied to community outreach. No vote or formal committee action was taken during the briefing; the chair said the presentation materials and related reports would be posted for public access, and members were invited to ask questions after the presentation.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Ways and Means Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am

Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • As this data ticks up and as we review it over the period of the last year, particularly, As this data
  • And so as part of EOHLC's commitment to more transparency and data, we have our, we actually have a data
  • It facilitates interagency data sharing and supports an enterprise approach to data through shared data
  • data pipelines that lower integration cost and accelerate responsible data sharing across agencies.
  • We're using data. We need an investment in our data systems, but also the red tape.
Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a public FY27 budget hearing at Barnstable Town Hall, with opening remarks emphasizing the Cape and Islands’ seasonal infrastructure, housing, transportation, workforce, and digital needs. The hearing began with testimony from the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, which outlined the Healey-Driscoll administration’s budget priorities for job training, apprenticeship, youth employment, reentry programs, and unemployment insurance modernization. The secretary highlighted proposed funding for the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, Career Technical Initiative, YouthWorks, reentry workforce development, and services for young adults with disabilities, along with a proposal to streamline youth work permits. Members also discussed the unemployment trust fund, the COVID assessment on employers, rising unemployment, and the need to improve DUA customer service and claims processing. Committee members asked about job seeker barriers such as child care, housing, transportation, and out-migration of young workers, as well as how to keep Cape Cod graduates and seasonal workers in the region. The administration said its strategy is to pair training with broader affordability investments and to expose students to career pathways earlier, including through middle school, early childhood STEM, YouthWorks, pre-apprenticeships, and Building Pathways. Senators and representatives also raised concerns about regional funding disparities, especially for Hampshire Franklin MassHire, and the administration said it is reviewing MassHire funding and service equity through a policy committee and statewide workforce board. On unemployment assistance, officials reported major improvements in wait times and claims processing, but said they are still working through backlogs and staffing challenges while maintaining program integrity. The committee then heard testimony from the Executive Office of Economic Development. The secretary described House 2 as a fiscally restrained budget with no new taxes or fees, while preserving core programs and using the Mass Leads Act tools to support competitiveness. EOED’s proposal included funding for the Community One Stop for Growth, rural economic development, social enterprise operating grants, regional economic development organizations, the Workforce Investment Trust Fund, Community Workforce Partnerships, Pathmaker, advanced manufacturing training, life sciences, innovation vouchers, AI initiatives, small business assistance, and tourism and live theater support. The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation also testified on its FY27 request, focusing on consumer protection, licensing, banking, insurance, and public safety regulation. No votes were taken during the hearing.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee Mar 25th, 2026

Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Transcript Highlights:
  • My name is Nick Cobol, and I'm a data engineer at AC Transit and a member of AFSCME Local 3916.
  • SB 1054 proposes to add a couple of data elements, essentially, to the base wage data file for unemployment
  • Through the addition of just a small number of known data elements to existing data systems, this bill
  • Through the addition of just a small number of known data elements to existing data systems, this bill
  • But they're going to need to do whatever they need to do right now, while this data, adding these data
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Consumer Protection & Business Feb 20th, 2026 at 08:00 am

Consumer Protection & Business

Transcript Highlights:
  • And this is 2020 for data. In 2024, the FTC received 2.6 million 2024 data.
  • A little more data for the, in 2023, the FTC estimated that, A little more data for the, in 2023, the
  • So that's extrapolating the data as best they're able to. Okay.
  • The reason is that the data relies on reported frauds and scams, The reason is that the data relies on
  • Of course, we have no data on this, right?
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • data spotlight that they produced this December.
  • So we don't have... ...any data on that.
  • I think there may be some public data from the CFPB data spotlight. That might be helpful.
  • There may be some public data from the CFPB data spotlight that might be helpful in discussing default
  • to the data you saw from DFI, but also some more in-depth data about who uses these products, how they're
Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held a work session on buy now, pay later (BNPL) transactions, focusing on how the products work, how they are used in Washington, and whether existing state law adequately protects consumers. Department of Financial Institutions staff described BNPL as short-term, usually no-interest installment financing offered at checkout, often with automatic payments, late fees, and varying credit-reporting practices. Members asked how BNPL compares with payday lending and earned wage access, whether it is effectively a loan or credit product, and whether Washington law already covers it. DFI explained that some BNPL structures may fall into a legal gray area under the Retail Installment Sales of Goods and Services Act because pay-in-four products may not meet the statute’s “more than four installments” language, while other structures may be covered; they also noted the Attorney General can enforce the act. DFI and committee members discussed consumer risks such as overextension, automatic debits, and lack of standardized disclosures, and DFI said it would follow up with additional data on defaults and related issues. Molly Gallagher of the Poverty Action Network and Nadine Chabrier of the Center for Responsible Lending argued that BNPL can help consumers but also poses significant risks, especially for lower-income consumers and consumers of color who already carry debt or use other alternative financial products. They said BNPL use has grown rapidly, often involves multiple simultaneous loans across providers, and can lead to overdrafts, late fees, and difficulty tracking obligations because payments are spread across different schedules. They emphasized concerns about weak disclosures, limited dispute protections, automatic payment structures, credit reporting inconsistencies, consumer overextension, and data privacy/dark-pattern marketing. They also described federal retrenchment, including the CFPB’s withdrawal of an interpretive rule that would have treated BNPL like a digital credit card, and pointed to state responses in places like New York, California, and Maryland. Committee members signaled interest in possible Washington legislation and stronger state oversight. Retail and business witnesses offered a more favorable view of BNPL as a cash-flow and sales tool. A Washington Retail Association representative described BNPL as an evolution of layaway and credit-card-style installment purchasing, noting that merchants receive payment up front minus fees while consumers get goods or services immediately and repay over time. A representative from a business using deferred-payment financing said the tool helps customers obtain equipment and helps the business manage inventory and cash flow, while NFIB said small businesses also use BNPL to bridge expenses and avoid higher-interest credit card debt. Members asked about merchant fees, consumer education, and whether BNPL is being used for impulse purchases or essential expenses like rent, car repairs, medical care, and travel. The chair concluded by saying the committee intends to pursue regulatory language and continue working with stakeholders, while also hearing from retailers to avoid eliminating legitimate financing tools.
ND
Transcript Highlights:
  • So I would look for some data if there was any coming next meeting, or just send some data out to the
  • Well, the data sets that my colleagues around the country are working with Well, the data sets that my
  • So other data sets could be driver's license data. Okay.
  • We also frequently do data analysis.
  • incorrect data.
Summary: The task force reviewed survey results from state agencies on potential statutory revisions, with Levi reporting 70 proposals from 20 agencies and noting that about 33 might become agency pre-file bills. Members discussed the need to share the survey more broadly within higher education and to better coordinate issues involving IT and other cross-agency functions. The task force then heard from the Office of Management and Budget on three topics: concessions, architect/engineering pre-qualification, and legal notices. OMB said the concessions law is outdated and inconsistent with current practice, and suggested a collaborative rewrite to allow best-value evaluation, raise the threshold, and standardize solicitation templates. On architect/engineering pre-qualification, OMB proposed expanding authority beyond current state-agency limits and creating uniform templates. On legal notices, OMB proposed modernizing publication requirements, exploring online and abbreviated notices, and working with newspapers and other stakeholders on technology and accessibility improvements. Members asked about where concession revenues go, whether political subdivisions must follow the same rules, and how to move from discussion to action. The task force agreed to have OMB work with Legislative Council and affected stakeholders to develop bill drafts, and the motion passed unanimously. The University of North Dakota then presented a series of proposed revisions focused on public buildings and procurement. UND asked to rework the definition of construction so routine maintenance and one-for-one replacements over $250,000 would not automatically trigger public-improvement requirements, suggested raising the threshold to $500,000, and asked for more flexibility based on project complexity and risk. UND also proposed changes to public bid advertisements to reflect electronic bidding, revisions to construction manager-at-risk selection criteria, changes to architect/engineer procurement rules, an increase in the direct-hire design threshold, and a higher legislative-consent threshold for privately funded projects. The task force supported having UND work with counsel and OMB to develop bill drafts, and that motion also passed. The Department of Public Instruction concluded with proposed cleanup to credentialing and education statutes. DPI recommended reviewing its credential categories for relevance, possibly transferring credentialing authority to the Education Standards and Practices Board, removing outdated school safety patrol language, clarifying waiver provisions, and updating dyslexia screening reporting requirements so the statute reflects current practice. Members focused mainly on whether the dyslexia reporting requirement should remain, and DPI said the screening itself would continue even if reporting language were revised. No votes were taken on DPI’s suggestions, and the task force recessed after the presentation.
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Legislative Task Force on Government Efficiency Mar 25th, 2026

Legislative Task Force on Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:
  • So I would look for some data if there was any coming next meeting, or just send some data out to the
  • Well, the data sets that my colleagues around the country are working with Well, the data sets that my
  • So other data sets could be driver's license data. Okay.
  • We also frequently do data analysis.
  • incorrect data.
Summary: The task force met with a quorum and first reviewed a memorandum summarizing a survey of state agencies on possible statute revisions. Levi reported that 20 agencies submitted 70 proposals, with about 33 potentially becoming agency pre-file bills. Common themes included procurement, concessions, architect/engineering services, liability limits, and IT-related efficiencies. Members asked about sharing the survey results more broadly and about cross-agency coordination, especially with higher education and ITD-related issues. OMB then presented three topics from its survey responses: concessions, pre-qualification of architects/engineers/construction managers/land surveyors, and publication of legal notices. OMB said the current concessions law is too rigid because it requires award to the highest responsible bidder and does not fit newer concession models, and it suggested a best-value approach, a higher threshold, and standardized templates. On architect/engineering pre-qualification, OMB said the law is fragmented across several statutes and should be consolidated and expanded for broader use. On legal notices, OMB described the current rate-setting and publication process, noted rising costs and shrinking newspaper availability, and proposed a collaborative effort to modernize notice delivery, improve accessibility, and explore online options. The task force discussed how to move these ideas forward, and a motion passed directing OMB to implement its suggestions and report back at the next meeting. The University of North Dakota then presented several proposed revisions focused on public buildings and procurement. UND recommended raising the threshold for treating routine maintenance and one-for-one replacements as construction, arguing that the current $250,000 threshold forces unnecessary architect/engineer involvement and adds cost. It also proposed changes to bid advertisement language to reflect electronic bidding, revisions to construction manager-at-risk selection criteria, changes to architect/engineer procurement criteria, a higher direct-hire threshold for design services, and an increase in the legislative approval threshold for privately funded projects. Members discussed the need for data, risk and complexity considerations, and collaboration with counsel and industry groups. A motion passed directing Levi and counsel to work with UND on bill drafts based on its proposals for a future meeting. DPI followed with a shorter presentation on credentialing and statutory cleanup. It suggested reviewing the department’s 23 credential categories for relevance, and said DPI and the Education Standards and Practices Board have discussed transferring some credentialing authority to ESPB. DPI also recommended removing outdated school safety patrol language, cleaning up waiver provisions, and updating dyslexia screening reporting requirements so districts are not burdened by obsolete reporting mandates. Members agreed the screening itself should remain in place, while the reporting requirement could be reconsidered. The committee then recessed until the afternoon session.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate Chamber Feb 12th, 2026 at 12:12 pm

New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • that data.
  • The data needs to be available.
  • Senator, how long is this, I think you talked about data before. How long is this data kept by law?
  • Senator, how long is this, I think you talked about data before. How long is this data kept by law?
  • Of why we don't have that data.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • I think we all are rethinking or having the conversation about what our data means, how it can be used
  • So we're hearing AB 1271 by Assemblymember Bonta related to broadband pricing and speed data.
  • AB 1271 requires broadband internet service providers to report key pricing and speed performance data
  • So we're hearing AB1271 by Assembly Member Bonta related to broadband pricing and speed data.
  • AB1271 requires broadband Internet service providers to report key pricing and speed performance data
Summary: The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee met to adopt its 2025-2026 rules and hear three bills. The committee first adopted the rules on a roll call vote, then heard AB 1303 by Assemblymember Valencia, which would clarify that a Social Security number is not required to apply for California Lifeline and would restrict sharing subscriber information with immigration enforcement absent a court warrant or subpoena. Supporters said the bill would help vulnerable Californians, including undocumented residents, domestic violence survivors, unhoused people, and identity theft victims, access essential communications services; there was no opposition. The bill passed on a due pass motion and was re-referred to Judiciary. The committee next heard AB 1271 by Assemblymember Bonta, which would require broadband providers to report pricing and speed-performance data to the Department of Consumer Affairs and make the information publicly available, with privacy protections and a standardized reporting template. Supporters argued the bill would improve transparency and help consumers, local governments, and the state understand what broadband service Californians are actually receiving; testimony highlighted disparities in speed and pricing in low-income communities. The bill was amended in committee and passed on a due pass as amended motion to the Committee on Business and Professions. Finally, the committee heard AB 693 by the chair, Assemblymember Boerner, which would consolidate broadband and digital equity functions into a new Department of Broadband and Digital Equity and create an 11-member commission with decision-making authority. Supporters said the current split between agencies creates delays and coordination problems, while members discussed governance, geographic representation, and whether the proposal would require follow-up constitutional or statutory changes. The bill passed 9-0 and was re-referred to Appropriations. Afterward, the committee added AB 1303 and AB 1271 as later add-ons, both of which were also reported out, and the meeting adjourned.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • Demographic<00:51:34.960><c> data.</c> Demographic data. Demographic data.
  • </c><01:06:29.280><c> students</c> data, does that data include students data, does that data include
  • </c> validity of the data. validity of the data.
  • </c> not the other data. not the other data.
  • It was a data were reviewing our data.
Summary: The commission meeting focused on reviewing and correcting draft minutes and then working through a draft report on the cost of special education. Members made mostly clerical corrections, including clarifying references to Spalding, fixing acronyms such as LETRS, and cleaning up membership titles and appointee roles to match SB 57. The minutes were approved as amended, with some members abstaining because they were not present at the prior meeting. The chair also noted the commission’s deadline to complete findings and recommendations by July 1 and said the final report must be delivered to legislative leaders, the governor, the state librarian, and others. The main substantive discussion centered on the report’s findings about special education funding. Members agreed the report should emphasize that the commission was created to study the cost of special education and reduce reliance on local property taxes. One draft section described FY24 special education funding as coming from three primary state and federal sources totaling about $152 million, or roughly 15% of annual costs, with the remaining 85% paid by local school districts through property tax revenue, estimated at about $825 million. Members discussed adding historical or longitudinal data to show trends over time, and some suggested attaching charts or tables showing funding over the last 20 to 30 years. A second major topic was demographic data. The draft noted that statewide K-12 enrollment has declined since 2003 while the number and share of students with IEPs has increased. Members questioned whether the data compared like with like, especially given the growth of Education Freedom Accounts and charter school enrollment, and whether the figures included or excluded those students. Several members asked for clearer sourcing from the Department of Education and suggested keeping a list of unresolved questions, including the impact of the shift from ADMA to ADMR and the effect of the EFA program. The discussion ended with agreement to continue refining the report and to gather additional attachments and clarifications before finalizing recommendations.
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Employee Benefits Programs Committee May 7th, 2026 at 10:00 am

Employee Benefits Programs Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • I mentioned the Mercer data.
  • And I think in order to have that conversation, the best data or most relevant data that I have for you
  • Followed by state wage data.
  • We will have 2025 data coming up later this month.
  • Do you guys have the data available?