Transcript Highlights:

• So you'll see that as well in here as well as grants and aid.
• So we administer grants and aid and the artisan schools. Okay. So this is a really robust program.
• So we administer as uh grants and aid.
• So we administer grants<00:11:14.959> and<00:11:15.120> aid grants and aid grants and aid
• So, many of these teaching artists integrate their art form with other core curriculum areas such as

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As of 2021, more than a quarter of our state's physicians, more than a third of our home health aides
• Senate 1360 corrects this inconsistency and restores the integrity of the collective bargaining process
• I'm a legislative aide. I am blind, and I live in Brighton with my seeing-eye dog, Vincent.
• I'm a legislative aide. I am blind, and I live in Brighton with my seeing-eye dog, Vincent.
• You said you were a legislative aide? Yes, I work for Representative Roy.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing opened with the co-chairs introducing House and Senate members and explaining the hybrid format, three-minute testimony guidance, and the deadline for written testimony. The committee then heard extensive testimony on S. 2665, which would require employers to post notice to employees when an I-9 audit or similar federal immigration inspection is underway. Supporters, including immigration attorneys, a pediatrician, a labor leader, and an affected family member, argued the bill would protect privacy, give workers time to gather documents and consult counsel, and reduce fear and wrongful arrests. One witness from Illinois described a similar law there and said it had not caused the problems employers feared, while others said recent ICE enforcement has made notice especially important. The committee also heard testimony on S. 1360, a bill affecting collective bargaining rights for State Police, with the State Police Association arguing that a statutory gap lets departmental rules override their contract and that the bill would restore intended bargaining protections. A separate labor bill, S. 1305, was also briefly supported by the AFL-CIO as part of broader worker-classification protections for app-based delivery drivers. A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 2066, which would impose fines on transportation network drivers who refuse rides to people with disabilities using service animals. Testimony from blind and disabled riders, service dog users, advocates, and the Disability Law Center described repeated ride cancellations, drivers pulling away after seeing a service animal, and the difficulty of enforcing existing anti-discrimination laws through MCAD or other agencies. Witnesses said the current system leaves riders without practical recourse because drivers are hard to identify and complaints can take years, and they argued that fines on individual drivers would create a real deterrent. Several witnesses also described the impact on employment, medical appointments, and daily independence. Committee members asked about service-animal verification, whether refusals are ever appropriate, and whether penalties should target drivers or companies; witnesses said legitimate refusals are limited to misbehaving or unsafe animals and that companies already have policies and some training, but enforcement remains weak. The committee also heard from a witness supporting a related bill on rideshare accessibility and from advocates describing broader transportation discrimination issues. One witness discussed a separate proposal to study service-animal denial, and others noted that Uber’s self-identification feature and company policies have not solved the problem. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the meeting ended after the final witnesses on the service-animal bill and a brief organizational discussion about related legislation and committee business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Guide this body to act with integrity, imagination, and a commitment to the common good, so that together
• Madam President, those letters of support include LiUNA Laborers, Legal Aid, Fresh Energy, the Minnesota
• include include LiUNA<00:22:39.160> Laborers LiUNA Laborers LiUNA Laborers Legal<00:22:41.640> Aid
• Legal Aid Legal Aid Fresh<00:22:43.240> Energy<00:22:44.160> the<00:22:44.280>

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened under call, established a quorum, and heard a prayer and pledge. The main legislative business was House amendments to Senate File 2511, the liquor bill authorizing various municipalities to issue liquor licenses. Senators described it as a bipartisan “one-off” liquor bill with local provisions, including a St. Louis Park food hall license, Minneapolis food hall licenses, a Rochester Chateau Theater provision, expanded University of Minnesota liquor licensing flexibility, Brainerd’s Northern Pacific Center license, seasonal resort licensing, and a care-facility “granny happy hour” provision. Senator Wesenberg asked about a proposed 17-year-old server provision, and Senator Klein said it had been dropped and was never part of the Senate language. The Senate concurred in the House amendments to SF 2511, advanced it to third reading, and passed it on final passage by a vote of 56 ayes to 10 nays. The chamber also adopted committee reports, took up a confirmation calendar item, and unanimously confirmed Joseph Sullivan to another six-year term on the Public Utilities Commission after Senator Frentz reported unanimous committee support and cited broad stakeholder backing. On special orders, the Senate passed House File 3741, which modernizes educational assistance for children and spouses of prisoners of war and deceased veterans by moving coverage under the Minnesota GI Bill and increasing the benefit to $750; it passed 66-0. The Senate also passed Senate File 3622, a 97-page technical and conforming update to the Minnesota Common Interest Ownership Act. Senator Kroon highlighted changes for small common-interest communities, insurance responsibility in mixed-use buildings, buyer disclosure, court-rule alignment, and lien priority definitions. An A2 amendment delayed the effective date of a separate 308C cooperative housing rewrite for one year to allow more consumer-protection work; after discussion involving Senators Kroon, Dibble, and Westrom, the amendment was adopted, and SF 3622 then passed 67-0. The Senate later adjourned until the following Wednesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is sort of one of the crown jewels of New Mexico financial aid, along with all opportunities.
• Do we know if with that high a number, are they offering much less of Student aid while they're in school
• In a former life, I was the Financial Aid Director at the Higher Education Department, and I did review
• Association, and currently I'm the president of New Mexico Independent Doctors, which is a clinically integrated
• in my first experience with a doctor, he told me, "being gay isn't real and you'll probably die of AIDS

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:32:02.000> visits talking about program integrity visits talking about program integrity
• when it comes to program integrity work. when it comes to program integrity work.
• Representative McDonald said the two are integral and that you cannot have one without the other.
• Representative McDonald said that licensing and program integrity are integral and that you cannot have
• investigations on the program integrity investigations on the program integrity side. side. side

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Revenue that supports local aid and small businesses. Online gambling creates few jobs, if any.
• We justify each expansion by saying it funds education, transportation, or local aid.
• It does mean education, local aid, and responsible gaming program dollars, rather than being lost to
• By passing House Bill 4431, we can balance opportunity with oversight, innovation with integrity, and
• The protections are like providing a Band-Aid after you've cut someone's arm off, so it's really, you

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, chaired by Rep. Carole Fiola and Sen. Barry Finegold, held a lengthy hearing on a range of gambling-related bills. Testimony first focused on H. 496 to allow the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to authorize Plain Ridge Park Casino to add table games and more slot machines. Supporters, including Rep. Jeffrey Roy, Sen. Finegold, Rep. Barry R. Finegold, Rep. Brian Vaughn, and Plainville officials, argued the change was needed to keep Massachusetts gaming dollars from flowing to Rhode Island, protect jobs, and preserve local tax revenue. They described Plain Ridge as a strong community partner and cited host-community benefits such as municipal infrastructure projects and local aid. Opponents or skeptical witnesses later argued that expanded gambling, especially online, would increase harm and cannibalize existing casinos and local economies. The committee also heard testimony on bills related to sports betting restrictions and online gambling. Sen. John Keenan presented a “Better Health Act” proposal to ban prop bets and in-play bets, require affordability checks, prohibit hosts, raise the sports betting excise tax, expand funding for problem-gambling services, and increase research and data sharing. He and supporters framed the bill as a public-health response to addiction, suicide, bankruptcy, and other harms. Rep. David Nangle, speaking from personal experience with gambling addiction, strongly opposed internet gaming, warning that it would intensify addiction and expose children and families to 24/7 gambling on phones. In contrast, Rep. David Moradian and industry witnesses supported H. 4431 to legalize and regulate internet gaming, arguing it would bring illegal activity into a regulated market, generate new revenue, and include consumer protections such as age verification, deposit limits, self-exclusion, and responsible-gaming tools. The committee also took testimony on H. 4238, which would expand fundraising options for fraternal organizations, especially the Elks. Rep. Bruce Ayers and Elks representatives said the bill would help lodges raise money for scholarships, veterans’ services, and community programs after COVID-related losses and declining membership. On H. 480, Rep. Kathleen LaNatra, Rep. Badger, and representatives of veterans organizations and gaming-machine operators urged allowing qualified veterans groups to participate in certain video gaming activity, saying it would provide a sustainable revenue source to keep posts open and support veterans’ services. Dr. Rachel Volberg testified that expanding gambling, especially online gambling and slot machines at veterans organizations, would likely increase gambling harm, and she urged stronger harm-prevention measures, data reporting, and research funding. Other witnesses, including anti-gambling advocates and industry representatives, sharply disagreed over whether legalization would reduce illegal gambling or worsen addiction and social costs. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I also love our values: belonging, integrity, and grit.
• What you see in front of you for a definition of a resident student matches other state aid programs
• and has a more... ...a resident student matches other state aid programs and has a more tangible tie
• So we duplicated the language that are in the other aid programs as a starting point for this discussion
• , a lot of other scholarships... ...other financial aid, a lot of other scholarships.

Summary: The committee reconvened at North Dakota State College of Science for a presentation from President Dr. Flanagan and college leaders about NDSCS’s mission, enrollment growth, workforce training, and facilities needs. Flanagan highlighted student success in national competitions, strong placement and retention, growing enrollment, and new or expanding programs in aviation maintenance, fire science, dental hygiene, community health worker training, surgical technology, HVAC/plumbing, and precision agriculture. He also emphasized the college’s partnerships with industry, including John Deere, Fargo Jet Center, Sanford, and Comdel Innovation, and said NDSCS plans to seek approval next session for a revenue bond to build a new dorm and to remodel the library into academic and allied health space. Allied health dean Deb Smith testified that her division is at capacity and needs a simulation center, more lab and classroom space, and expanded dental and OTA facilities to meet demand and accreditation needs. Committee members questioned Flanagan and staff about workforce shortages, especially faculty pay, and whether the college can staff additional growth. Flanagan said the biggest challenge is recruiting instructors because industry pays more, but noted some health care and adjunct hiring is possible because of schedule flexibility and benefits. He also discussed shifting resources away from lower-demand programs like power sports toward higher-demand areas such as automotive and aviation maintenance. Members also asked about the college’s identity as a technical institution, with Flanagan arguing North Dakota would benefit from a more defined tech-school system. The committee then received a University System presentation from Jamie Wilkie on the cost of delivering dual credit. Wilkie explained the methodology used to allocate direct and overhead costs across subsidized and unsubsidized dual credit, noting that dual credit and early entry account for about 5.9% of total credit hours and 2.7% of formula funding. The analysis showed subsidized dual credit tuition revenue of about $5.5 million and unsubsidized revenue of about $2.9 million, with some institutions showing margins and others losses depending on the model. Members discussed whether K-12 funding should also be reflected, how payments to high schools and teachers are structured, and whether tuition-free dual credit would require replacing both tuition revenue and the current dual credit scholarship. No votes were taken; the committee simply received the presentations and discussed the findings.

Transcript Highlights:

• We want the integrity of our identification of our driver's licenses to be absolutely correct.
• Graham: The fourth request is for $3 million to integrate support and technology solutions.
• This proximity can greatly aid in maintaining family connections and support systems, which are vital
• The focus of our conversation today is first the need to integrate state and national development.
• The focus of our conversation today is first the need to integrate state and national development.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <04:02:56.199> dying go off task um the Medical Aid dying go off task um the Medical Aid dying
• You'll also find fact sheets on the process of medical aid and dying, what it is and is not.
• Just published on rates of suicide in states that have Medical Aid in Dying.
• meet the qualifications for Medical Aid meet the qualifications for Medical Aid and<05:22:55.360
• demonstrated evidence that Medical Aid demonstrated evidence that Medical Aid in<05:39:44.000>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 199, which would extend the statute of limitations for civil actions seeking damages from PFAS contamination from six years to 20 years. The prime sponsor and other supporters argued that PFAS contamination in southern New Hampshire has long-term and often delayed health and property impacts, making the current six-year period too short for victims to discover harm, connect it to exposure, and seek relief. Supporters described contamination in places such as Merrimack and surrounding communities, cited health concerns including cancer, developmental issues, and other illnesses, and said a longer period would better preserve legal rights while still requiring proof of causation. The Department of Environmental Services said it was not taking a position but acknowledged the contamination and ongoing work to address it. The Business and Industry Association opposed the bill, arguing that evidence becomes stale over time, memories and documents fade, and a longer window would make it harder to determine causation when other exposures or intervening factors may be involved. Committee members questioned both sides about causation, the difficulty of proving PFAS-related illness, and whether a 20-year period was necessary if a plaintiff already knows of the injury and its source. Supporters responded that PFAS effects can emerge slowly, that scientific understanding continues to develop, and that current knowledge is still incomplete. Opponents said the existing discovery rule already starts the clock when harm and causal connection are known, and that extending the period would reduce clarity and fairness in litigation. After testimony and questions, the chair closed the hearing on HB 199. The committee then opened House Bill 268 FN, which was described as a technical measure to confirm that the Board of Tax and Land Appeals may hold hearings in its Concord hearing rooms. The sponsor indicated the bill reflects current practice and does not require additional facilities. With only one witness listed and no apparent opposition, the discussion was brief and focused on why the authorization should be placed in statute rather than left to practice.

Transcript Highlights:

• ultimately decided to begin the phase-out of customized living services and to replace it with integrated
• ultimately decided to begin the phase-out of customized living services and to replace it with integrated
• ultimately decided to begin the phase-out of customized living services and to replace it with integrated
• , maybe Senator Gruenhagen is the only one that hasn't heard about this bill in previous years, integrated
• <00:03:17.440> community previous years um integrated community previous years um integrated

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• an individual to develop or distribute AI systems with the sole intent of producing, assisting, or aiding
• How we scope that is we look at what they call the confidentiality, integrity, and the availability of
• This tends to be a vertically integrated utility region of the country.
• utilities, but a vertically integrated utility throughout almost all of the Midwest, save Illinois,
• The vertically integrated utility has ultimate responsibility to provide power in a reasonable way, in

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

Transcript Highlights:

• , receive the same level of assignment, receive the same level of investigative<00:04:55.919> integrity
• investigative integrity and due process. investigative integrity and due process.
• step forward in strengthening protections for victims, ensuring accountability, and reinforcing the integrity
• technicians maintain their skill sets that are required so that they can continue to do their medical aid
• to do their that they uh can continue to do their medical<00:09:47.600> uh<00:09:47.839> aid

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They are an integral part of California's culture and sports landscape, representing generations of fans
• While we are excited for his next chapter, we will miss Mukhtar's leadership and integrity, his passion
• Members, today I rise to introduce and recognize my senior legislative aide, Harrison S., who has been
• team, Harrison worked in Assembly Member Patterson's office as a field representative and legislative aide
• team, Harrison worked in Assembly Member Patterson's office as a field representative and legislative aide

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• huge difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of young people every year, protecting the integrity
• They have the opportunity to help California student athletes learn life lessons and play an integral
• prosecuted a case before I became an assemblywoman where the defendant stole the victim’s financial aid
• then forced the victim... ...became an assemblywoman where the defendant stole the victim’s financial aid
• opportunities for appropriate mental health interventions, where coaches can provide mental health first aid

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These qualities, grounded in integrity, courage, and fairness, are exactly what we should expect in a
• Bernard combines legal skill with sound judgment, professionalism, and integrity.
• When we would gather at our annual or semi-annual judicial aid conferences with all of the judges, I
• until there's a determination. >> At KCCC. >> So, do they do they—now, this isn't really your Kool-Aid
• until there's a determination. >> At KCCC. >> So, do they do they—now, this isn't really your Kool-Aid

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard Governor’s Messages 796 and 797, both judicial confirmation nominations, but announced at the outset that no votes would be taken that day. The committee said it would hold the vote the next day in Room 225. For GM 796, Annalisa M. Bernard Lee was nominated to serve as circuit court judge for the Second Circuit (Maui) for a 10-year term. Supporters included former Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, former judges, attorneys, and the Hawaii State Bar Association, all describing her as fair, hardworking, experienced on both criminal and civil matters, and active in the legal community. Judge Lee testified about her background as a Maui native, former public defender and prosecutor, and current district court judge, and said her experience on all sides of the courtroom shaped her commitment to fairness and access to justice. Senators asked about diversion, sentencing repeat offenders, and the role of a circuit court judge; Lee said she would consider cases individually, support diversion and pretrial collaboration where appropriate, and use judicial power to address underlying problems when possible. For GM 797, Michael K. Soong was nominated to the Fifth Circuit Court for Kauai and Niihau. Former Chief Justice Recktenwald and other supporters praised his long legal career, including service as a prosecutor, district court judge, and acting chief judge during a period when Kauai lacked a full-time circuit judge. They emphasized his courtroom control, common sense, community ties, and willingness to take on extra judicial committee work. Soong testified that he had served as a district court judge since 2017 and had recently been handling circuit court duties, including civil, criminal, and jury trial matters. He described the differences between district and circuit court, his experience presiding over complex trials, and his support for specialty courts such as drug court, veterans court, and mental health calendars. The Hawaii State Bar Association said it found him qualified after its review. No votes were taken on either nomination during this hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Your expertise, especially on integrating with the portal, The governor has said that this is going to
• Many of them stopped at aid stations along the way, and those aid stations were giving out water, providing
• Band-Aids, and starting IVs.
• If these networks cannot integrate into a statewide volunteer management system, critical local capacity

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of the, what I thought was one of the key pieces of House Bill 8 was the FAST program, the Financial Aid
• You know that exceptional item covers a number of financial aid programs, the three that are our largest
• lessons that are taught each day, the tools that are used to teach those lessons and how that's integrated
• and then who looks at becoming a personal care technician, who then might become a certified nurse aide
• of slides have to do with the current workforce and how do we equip them using technology, using integration

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• appropriates 250 million dollars for the grant program to reflect the addition of the state Board of integration
• Second, it creates this new immigration state Board of integration for spent a 3rd it funds immigration
• Now you take the waiver away and without access to financial aid that these young immigrants to not have
• My aide came to the United States from Russia.
• It's racist actually to say that they did half of them came here on visas and overstayed which my aid

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ecosystem was stronger in schools that really had the capacity to think about how this role does integrate
• We are integrating education, behavioral health, and health care into one coordinated system of care
• Administrative and billing structures, particularly as we integrate the LEA billing option program, the
• Braiding funding streams and integrating the priorities of education, Medi-Cal, and behavioral health
• So I think to continue to get to integrate those systems and build the peer program into that, we're

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So as we look at the path forward and integrating transitional kindergarten, and as California continues
• So, as we look at the path forward and integrating transitional kindergarten, and as California continues
• Integration will allow us to create a comprehensive, family-centered approach to early learning.
• We have to integrate family, friend, and neighbor, because that's a very common care.
• We have to integrate family, friend, and neighbor because that's a very common care.

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Child Care Costs held its third hearing, focused on how transitional kindergarten (TK) fits into California’s mixed-delivery early learning system, with an emphasis on the Central Valley. Opening remarks stressed that TK and child care should complement each other, not compete, and that families need both part-day school-based options and full-day, year-round care. Committee members outlined hearing goals around aligning TK with existing programs, understanding family needs, and examining the economic impact of early learning on workforce participation and local economies. Panelists from the Legislative Analyst’s Office, Every Child California, Early Edge, Children Now, and others described TK’s rapid expansion to all four-year-olds, the growth in enrollment, and related changes to state preschool and after-school programs. Witnesses generally supported TK but warned that its expansion has shifted enrollment away from community-based providers, especially centers and family child care homes, creating financial strain, vacant classrooms, and staffing challenges. They urged stronger partnerships between school districts and community providers, more flexible licensing and facilities support, higher and more uniform reimbursement rates, permanent authority for state preschool to serve two-year-olds, and better compensation and training for educators across settings. Parents and providers testified about the importance of trusted, culturally and linguistically responsive care, the need for infant-toddler and home-based options, and the difficulty of affording child care when TK is not full-day or does not fit family schedules. Several speakers emphasized that many families still face long waits for subsidies and that reimbursement and payment delays threaten provider stability. Public comment echoed these concerns, with providers calling for true cost-of-care rates, more vouchers, support for transportation and nontraditional hours, and protection from insurance and facility costs that can force programs to close. State education officials said California’s UPK system works best when TK, state preschool, Head Start, and community-based providers are treated as a shared system, and noted that planning and implementation grants and local coordination efforts have helped build mixed-delivery partnerships. The hearing ended without formal votes or actions, but committee members indicated they would continue gathering input to inform future policy and budget decisions.