Transcript Highlights:

• . $1 per pack is kind of our minimum when it comes to looking at the public health impact.
• In particular, this is the cigarette tax. $1 per pack is kind of our minimum when it comes to looking
• <02:09:04.960> value<02:09:05.360> on setting some sort of minimum value on setting
• some sort of minimum value on the<02:09:05.920> unit<02:09:06.239> in<02:09:06.560>
• <04:51:58.798> that's<04:51:59.120> been is a basically one sentence that's been is

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is in keeping with past efforts we've had to ensure transparency in sentencing for such criminal
• 07.440> the section must serve at least 85% of the section must serve at least 85% of the sentence
• 08.399> before<00:16:08.639> they<00:16:08.800> may<00:16:08.959> be sentence
• imposed before they may be sentence imposed before they may be released<00:16:09.440> on<00:16
• to ensure transparency and sentencing to ensure transparency and sentencing for<00:16:15.839>

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Senate Message 05:11 Report of Committees 06:05 Orders of the Day/HB 320 07:52 HB 366 14:55 HB 389 17:22 HB 56 22:10 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 25:47 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 29:20 Petition of Impeachment Filed 31:24 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 32:03 ConC/Rules Report 36:31 Floor Amendments 37:29 Adjournment 37:47, 958, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the pledge, recorded 96 members present, excused absences, and approved the journal from January 27, 2026. The Senate clerk announced passage of Senate Bills 17 and 181 and requested concurrence. Committee reports advanced a number of bills on health insurance, judiciary, local government, and transportation topics, including measures on pharmacist reimbursements, hearing aid coverage, feeding and eating disorders, grooming a minor, local government liability, water fluoridation, cigar bars, chickens on residential property, highway pavement markings, motor vehicle titles, and pedestrian issues; all favorable reports were treated as first readings and placed on the calendar. The House then took up and passed House Bill 320 on human trafficking, with the sponsor explaining it would equalize penalties for promoting human trafficking with those for trafficking itself and increase the penalty when the victim is under 18. A member asked whether the bill included additional funding for cyber enforcement; the sponsor replied it was not an appropriation and would not require new funding, though prior budgets had increased support for anti-trafficking efforts. The House adopted a title amendment changing the bill’s title to combating human trafficking. The chamber also passed House Bill 366, which clarifies that materials portraying a sexual performance by a minor include computer-generated images and requires 85% service of the sentence before probation or parole; the sponsor said it was supported by law enforcement and prosecutors. House Bill 389 on reading and writing in schools also passed as amended by House Committee Substitute 1. The sponsor said it would require annual updates to the state dyslexia toolkit, expand professional development and coaching, require local school boards to develop processes for universal screening and diagnostic tools, and add dyslexia instruction to teacher preparation programs; the substitute added conformity with IDEA and revised the instructional language. Members spoke in support of early dyslexia detection and one member noted the bill updated prior legislation associated with former Rep. Bam Carney. House Bill 56, an omnibus Department of Agriculture bill, then passed; it addressed amusement ride inspections, grain warehousing penalties, egg handler licensing renewal timing, exemptions for small producers, and repealed obsolete tobacco and egg marketing board provisions. All three bills passed by roll call with 95 or 94 votes in favor and none opposed, and clinchers were applied. During announcements, members noted upcoming committee meetings and events, including a suits-and-sneakers day and cancer-related breakfast, caucus meetings, and committee meetings. New bills and resolutions were introduced, including measures on local occupational license fees, early learning and child care, tuition waivers, an adult workforce diploma pilot, motor vehicle usage tax, contract procurement, Fish and Wildlife Resources, adoption, veterans’ benefits, Cabinet for Health and Family Services operations, organ donation safety, hate crimes, prescription drugs, and resolutions on the Kentucky-Japan partnership and veterans’ benefits accreditation. The clerk also reported a petition of impeachment filed against Judge Julie Goodman. The House then referred a group of bills to committees, reported floor amendments for House Bills 321 and 416, and adjourned until 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 29, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you can see the average sentence length for someone in prison is 20 years.
• When an individual is sentenced to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice on a felony, the statute
• McDonnell mentioned on a DWI case, we might look at how long their sentence is, how much time they have
• Somebody with a 5-year sentence, they served 2 years incarcerated, and they got 3 years of good time.
• They went home after 2 years of the 5-year sentence to serve the remainder of their time on supervision

Transcript Highlights:

• precedent, Supreme Court precedent, and how Michigan law in the past allowed for mandatory life sentences
• Michigan law in the past allowed for mandatory life sentences for juveniles, but the Supreme Court has
• , what I read is a bill that is now going to treat juvenile offenders based on having an updated sentence
• because of a Supreme Court decision the same way that we would treat ...sentence because of a Supreme
• This law now they're going to have a redetermination about their sentencing, this law now says that we

Summary: The Senate met with 27 members present and a quorum, opened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a series of motions, recesses, and introductions of bills. Several new bills were read and referred, including measures affecting the Income Tax Act, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, public utilities, nondisclosure agreements, data centers and community benefit agreements, zoning, Medicaid false claims, and the Neighborhood Enterprise Zone Act, with referrals mainly to finance, energy and environment, and housing and human services committees. In the Committee of the Whole, Senate Bills 592, 49, and 50 were reported without amendment and advanced. On third reading, the Senate passed Senate Bills 900, 820, 966, 967, 968, 973, 974, 975, 976, 977, and 978. SB 900 dealt with the Vehicle Code, SB 820 with election law, SB 966 and SBs 974-978 with housing and insurance-related changes, and SB 967 with the Income Tax Act. SB 966, 967, 973, 974, 975, 976, 977, and 978 all passed on 20-16 votes, while SB 900 passed 35-1. Senate Bill 973, creating a state-based health insurance exchange as a nonprofit corporation, drew the most debate. Senators Weber, Lindsay, and Halk offered amendments, all of which were defeated after recorded votes; Weber argued for cost controls and consumer savings, while supporters said the bill would give Michigan more control over health care decisions and could lower premiums. Senator Irwin spoke in support of the housing-related package, saying it would help address the state’s housing shortage. Senate Bill 592, concerning the Corrections Code, was also passed after a 31-5 vote, with Senator Lindsay explaining his no vote as concern about how the bill treats juvenile offenders. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 133, urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to honor commitments to Michigan farmers participating in the Rural Energy for America Program. Senator McCann supported the resolution, citing farm losses from federal rollbacks, while Senator McBroom gave a strong no-vote explanation criticizing state energy policy and the resolution’s framing. The session ended with remarks recognizing Juneteenth and an anecdotal bipartisan exchange between senators before the chamber adjourned until June 23 at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• They might be sentenced to jail. They might be sentenced to the Department of Corrections.
• They might be sentenced to jail. They might be sentenced to the Department of Corrections.
• Sentence to the Department of Corrections. Some more information.
• to pay it until after that sentence is served.
• Truth and sentencing is a parole system that we talked about in depth in the last two meetings.

Summary: The Judiciary Interim Committee met to begin its study of charitable gaming and the ownership of alcoholic beverage establishments by licensed charitable gaming organizations, a study directed by Senate Bill 2334. Legislative Council gave an overview of the constitutional and statutory framework for charitable gaming, site authorizations, rent limits, proceeds, and recent legislative changes. The Attorney General’s Gaming Division then clarified the financial flow of gaming, explaining that in fiscal year 2025 North Dakota had about $2.5 billion in gross gaming proceeds, with roughly 88-90% paid back in prizes and about $256 million available to organizations after taxes; most of that activity came from electronic pull tabs. Members asked for more detail on winnings, replays, rent, and the breakdown of manufacturer/distributor revenues, and the AG’s office agreed to provide supplemental information. The committee also heard from the League of Cities and the Association of Counties about local site authorization. Cities said they have a limited role in approving gaming sites, can adopt policies after public hearing, may charge up to $100, and can set certain conditions, including local nexus requirements, but cannot require donations or force a specific charity or site. The League said it had worked with stakeholders on a model policy to provide more consistency, though members raised concerns that local requirements could become too restrictive for charities serving broader areas. Counties said the issue is mostly a city matter, with little county involvement beyond minimal site fees and general site approval. The North Dakota Gaming Alliance testified in support of the study and provided IRS-related material suggesting charities may use asset diversification, while emphasizing it had not taken a position on whether charities should own bars. Members questioned whether bar ownership is being used for site stability or to channel charitable gaming dollars, and whether city policies might disadvantage charities with broader missions. The committee also discussed the relationship between gaming organizations, manufacturers, and distributors, including restrictions on incentives and interference, and asked for more information on those entities and their ownership. Later in the meeting, the Racing Commission gave its regular update on live racing, pari-mutuel wagering, ADW providers, purse and promotion funds, a new TRPB contract, and concerns about cease-and-desist actions from other states. Finally, the State Hospital superintendent briefly reported on the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s support services, including the SORT team, training, and security assistance for the hospital campus.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Resolution by Representative Bryant to create a task force on sentencing for second-degree murder
• , relative to sentencing for that crime. 12 without amendments, 348 without amendments, 444 without amendments
• House resolution by Representative Bryant to create a task force on sentencing for second-degree murder
• , vice-rel tip to sentencing for that crime.

Bills: HR320, HR321, HR308, HR309, HR310, HR311, HR312, HR313, HR314, HR315, HR316, HR317, HR318, HR319, SCR65, SCR74, SCR76, HR245, SCR30, SCR40, HB1259, SB4, SB52, SB57, SB83, SB145, SB152, SB194, SB276, SB319, SB333, SB448, SB450, SB465, SB484, SB501, SB509, HR73, HR118, HR144, HR196, HR237, HR249, HR260, HR267, HR272, HR278, HCR85, HCR100, HCR105, HCR107, HCR114, SCR5, SCR29, SCR33, SCR37, SCR63, HB62, HB193, HB210, HB220, HB246, HB364, HB420, HB475, HB584, HB622, HB772, HB784, HB949, HB953, HB1043, HB1070, HB1092, HB1134, HB1162, HB1176, HB1196, HB1214, HB119, HB129, HB233, HB283, HB538, HB789, HB850, HB870, HB1236, HB1241, HB378, HB509, HB1090, SB80, SB131, SB143, SB251, SB254, SB279, SB367, SB384, SB388, SB389, SB398, SB408, SB431, SB468, SB469, SB496, SB149, HB463, HB998, SB123, SB353, SB479, SB495, SB82, SB97, SB283, SB326, SB518, SB197, SB268, HB901, HR20, HR74, HR168, HCR65, HCR71, HCR98, HB284, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB603, HB605, HB614, HB625, HB646, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1191, HB1240, HB1255, SB89, HB74, HB134, HB258, HB359, HB468, HB956, HB1117, SB29, SB42, SB43, SB78, SB217, SB274, SB300, SB379, SB382, SB441, SB449

Keywords: Arsenal, Arsenal F.C., Premier League, English football, soccer, football club, Mikel Arteta, Emirates Stadium, North London, Tottenham Hotspur, Gunners, sports resolution, commendation, celebration, championship, silverware, Louisiana House Resolution, ceremonial resolution, domestic violence, forensic medical examinations

Transcript Highlights:

• of practicing with both adults and children, and I heard some testimony before about determinate sentences
• and indeterminate sentences.
• So we will be taking on that responsibility and learning all about determinate sentencing and what that
• know, we'll be taking on that responsibility and learning, learning all about, uh, determinate sentencing

Summary: The Subcommittee on Juvenile Justice met briefly for an introductory session and did not take any witness testimony. The chair said the committee would incorporate testimony already heard earlier in the day from the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee and would focus in future meetings on bills referred to the subcommittee, possible work sessions, and learning more about TJJD, the DOJ report, and juvenile issues such as determinate sentencing. Members used the meeting to share opening remarks about their goals and backgrounds. Vice Chair Jones said she hoped to bring a different perspective based on her experience practicing law with both adults and children. Representative Lauderback said his decades of criminal justice experience would help improve the juvenile system, and Representative Rideau emphasized the difficult nature of the issues and the need to ensure agencies have the tools they need while juveniles receive proper representation. The chair stressed that juvenile justice is rehabilitative and that the committee’s work could reduce recidivism and improve outcomes for youth who later enter the adult system. Representative Wu urged the committee to look at best practices from other states rather than relying on tradition, noting that new approaches can benefit children and save money over time. The meeting ended with the chair saying the committee would reconvene the following week and adjourning at 1:50 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, as you know, lawyers, especially whenever you're in a courtroom before a judge sentences someone,
• I think this is imposes a sentence?"
• says that no know that first sentence says that no other<00:57:06.000> debt.
• of that, I like that second sentence of that, I like that second sentence where<00:57:56.640>
• . sentences. sentences.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The jury came back criminally negligent homicide for reasons unknown, and the defendant was sentenced
• The jury came back criminally negligent homicide for reasons unknown, and the defendant was sentenced
• unknown and the defendant was sentenced unknown and the defendant was sentenced under<00:14:38.959
• um the defendant defendant was sentenced um the defendant was<00:15:05.600> sentenced<00:15:05.920
• less than if she would was sentenced less than if she would would<00:15:07.360> have<00:15:07.600

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:41:03.839> Um but you have not yet been sentenced.
• Um but you have not yet been sentenced.
• Now, um I are serving a prison sentence.
• because there are, serving a sentence because there are, you<00:51:22.240> know,<00:51:22.400
• We also see one more law I'm going to highlight is a 364-day law, and at the federal level, sentences

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety held an informational briefing on findings from the deportation data project and possible policy responses to increased federal immigration enforcement in Hawaii. In opening remarks, the chair said the committee was concerned about changing federal executive orders, policies, and enforcement actions, and framed the issue as one involving due process and public safety. The chair and presenters described reports of ICE activity on multiple islands, including raids, courthouse presence, and fear in immigrant communities, and said the committee was considering whether state policies should be advanced more quickly. Mandy Fernandez of the ACLU of Hawaii presented updated deportation data and argued that increased immigration enforcement is creating fear, reducing crime reporting, and potentially making state and local agencies extensions of the federal immigration agenda if they accept federal funding with conditions. She said the deportation data project, housed at UC Berkeley Law with UCLA’s Center for Immigration Law and Policy, uses FOIA requests and its latest data runs through late July 2025. She reported 153 ICE arrests in Hawaii from January through July 2025, up from 41 in the same period in 2024; 96 removals, up from 15; a federal detention center average daily population of 91 in June 2025 versus 31 in June 2024; and 111 ICE detainers issued in Hawaii from September 2023 through July 2025, with 49 issued in 2025. She also cited an immigration court backlog of 1,144 pending cases as of August 2025 and noted that about one in five Hawaii residents were born outside the United States. Haley Chang of the Office of the Public Defender said her office is seeing a marked increase in ICE presence around courthouses and more ICE contacts with clients, including reports of people being detained after court appearances or while on supervision. She emphasized that the office is not an immigration law office and that much of its information is anecdotal, but said the pattern appears new compared with prior years. In response to committee questions, she explained that ICE detainers are requests, not judicial warrants, and said local law enforcement is generally not required to honor them unless accompanied by a judicial warrant or other legal authority. She also said the public defender’s office had not yet seen new criminal charges arise solely from an ICE detention or failure to appear tied to immigration enforcement, though cases could be affected if defendants are removed from the criminal process.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first sentence says, "Strike Judiciary Committee Amendment Number 3."
• And frankly, the sentence on voluntary manslaughter is six years.
• This bill would increase sentences within the... section related to delinquent offenders and youthful
• And I said, "Did the Sentencing Commission endorse the House amendments to HB 255?"
• The Sentencing Commission, which I also have enormous respect for, is split.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:56:52.079> 86 murder and serve was sentenced 86 murder and serve was sentenced 86 months
• For it was over a year and probably four months before he was sentenced, and still after sentencing it
• before he was sentenced and still after<01:06:46.799> sentencing<01:06:47.559> it<01:06
• But again, this process took about a year and four months to get them finally sentenced.
• sentenced um coming up to the sentencing sentenced um coming up to the sentencing day<01:08:40.679

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a second sentence up there that all men are created equal.
• It's a second sentence up there that all men are created equal.
• ever written and it is the sentence ever written and it is the sentence<00:21:16.320> from<00
• are sentence up there that all men are created<00:21:28.400> equal.
• the first word of that second sentence the first word of that second sentence is<00:22:00.720>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In my research, I found that pretty much across the board, it's the very simple sentence that is in this
• that<00:17:05.919> is<00:17:06.480> um<00:17:06.640> in the very simple sentence
• that is um in the very simple sentence that is um in this<00:17:07.039> bill.
• So the at a minimum the be vaccinated.
• <03:31:08.640> This<03:31:08.880> sentence This sentence allows even a developer who

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you very much for considering their sentence. Any comments? Any other testifiers for SB 2479?
• And lastly, for those people who have already been sentenced and never had the opportunity to present
• So basically the thing that she said Linda Lingo had tried to push... who have already been sentenced
• who have already been sentenced uh<00:45:59.200> and<00:45:59.520> never<00:45:59.760>
• or perhaps even at trial sentencing or perhaps even at trial should<00:46:07.119> have<00:46:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint HHS and LBT meeting opened with accessibility concerns, as several blind attendees arrived after the general public had already been seated. The chair apologized and said future hearings would try to seat blind members earlier. The committee also announced the hearing was being streamed on YouTube, testimony would be limited to one minute, and written testimony was available online. The first bill heard was SB 2281, relating to the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. The Department of Health supported transparency for patients but preferred disclosure through provider websites and office signage rather than a new regulatory program. The Hawaii Medical Association and Healthcare Association of Hawaii generally supported the bill’s intent but raised concerns about administrative burden and suggested a working group or model policies. Hawaii Pacific Health said it already uses AI for note-taking and patient portal functions and worried that written notice requirements could create too much consumer information. In response, the chair emphasized that patients should be informed when AI is used, especially if it affects diagnosis or consequential decisions, and said AI should not be making medical decisions. The committee later voted to recommend SB 2281 pass with amendments, including narrowing the definition of consequential decisions, removing certain language requested by DOH, adding a two-year implementation period, and setting a far-future defective date for further discussion; both committees adopted the recommendation, with the chair voting aye and the vice chair voting with reservations. The second major bill was SB 2852, a civil rights measure focused on digital access for people with disabilities. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, and the National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii all supported the bill, arguing that existing law clearly protects physical access but should also make digital access explicit. Blind testifiers described how accessible technology, such as VoiceOver on iPhones, allows them to participate independently in public processes and warned that inaccessible digital systems can create barriers for thousands of blind residents. One testifier, an attorney with disability-law experience, supported the bill’s intent but said the draft had flaws, including no exceptions for archived materials, no distinction between small and large businesses, and concerns about the timing and choice of accessibility standards; he suggested delegating regulatory authority to the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission. The bill’s sponsor said he supported DAB’s proposed amendments, and the committee indicated those amendments would address many of the concerns raised. No final vote on SB 2852 was taken in the portion provided. The committee then took up SB 2751, which defines compounded prescription drugs for workers’ compensation purposes. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations supported the bill but requested clarifying amendments to keep pharmacists as the primary professionals authorized to compound in licensed pharmacies and to limit any physician compounding authority to the physician’s own patient. Supporters included the Work Injury Medical Association of Hawaii, while Solera Integrated Medical Solutions opposed the measure, arguing the current definition was already broad enough and warning about cost inflation, especially with 503B bulk compounding facilities and physician dispensing. In questioning, members asked about rural access, reimbursement for 503B products, and late testimony suggesting definitions for 503A and 503B facilities, limits on physician dispensing to 30 days post-injury, and pre-approval for non-FDA-approved drugs. DLIR said not every rural community has licensed pharmacists available, that products with a national drug code are reimbursed at 140%, and that 503B facilities raise concerns because they are bulk manufacturers rather than patient-specific compounding operations. The meeting then moved into decision-making on SB 2281; the chair’s pass-with-amendments recommendation was adopted by both committees, with the vice chair voting with reservations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, if you look at the language, it's that first sentence that I have some concerns about.
• So, I'm here just to sort of say I'd like the amendment except that one sentence, and I want to thank
• Um, if you look at the language, it's that first sentence that I have some concerns about.
• So, I'm here just to sort of say I'd like the amendment except that one sentence, and I want to thank
• So, I'm here just to sort of say I'd like the amendment except that one sentence, and I want to thank

Keywords: 919, house, all

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:

• The sentence<00:46:46.680> that sentence that sentence that uh<00:46:47.800> starts<00:
• that sentence entirely. that sentence entirely.
• I think it's, at the very least, prudent to remove that sentence entirely.
• ,<00:55:49.320> it<00:55:49.440> says, part of the sentence, it says, part of the sentence
• remove that sentence entirely. remove that sentence entirely.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And when I see lapse at 50% at a minimum, but we consistently say, I mean, it's amazing that we needed
• Representative Chappell joked that he and his mother do not use the word vintage in the same sentence
• We don't use my mother and the word vintage at the same sentence.
• And what does statute refer to as far as the minimum and maximum that that per-parcel fee could be?
• figure is low, especially for the small counties he represents, which are going to be at the very minimum

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• policy<00:03:23.840> changes<00:03:24.239> to<00:03:24.400> a<00:03:24.560> minimum
• <00:03:24.959> which<00:03:25.200> chair policy changes to a minimum which chair policy
• changes to a minimum which chair kisha<00:03:25.920> will<00:03:26.080> go<00:03:26.239
• spoke at the literacy rally last week that said, "The Read Act has had such an impact on me that sentences
• spoke at the literacy rally last week that said, "The Read Act has had such an impact on me that sentences

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Matt, for township funding over the years, we've had set minimum mill rates on the townships.
• Is there a minimum across the state? Mr.
• Chairman, Senator Luick, I would not say there's a minimum.
• But there is no minimum. When you look at the rate study, they're all across the board.
• So you're looking at a minimum of $100, you know, for an average use, $100 a month, assuming the 75%

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met with a quorum and received updates from the Department of Water Resources and the State Water Commission, followed by presentations from Deloitte on two legislative studies required by House Bill 1020. Director Reese Haas reviewed major project and budget updates, including the Northwest Area Water Supply and Southwest Pipeline projects, Resources Trust Fund balances, carryover spending, project prioritization, bid conditions, regional water system coverage, and department process improvements. Members also discussed how the commission prioritizes projects, maintenance expectations, and the impact of limited municipal water supply funding. No formal committee action was taken during the DWR update; the commission’s municipal funding decisions were described as pending its April 8 meeting. Deloitte then presented the cost-share policy study, which found that under current policy and forecasted revenues, North Dakota faces an estimated $1.3 billion shortfall over 14 years, with a near-term gap of about $1.8 billion through 2031. The firm outlined seven recommended options, including tighter definitions and a 25% cost share for eligible replacement projects, caps and financing strategies for the Mouse River and Red River Valley projects, aligning cost share with commission priority guidance, delaying lower-priority projects, using available lines of credit, and adjusting reimbursement timing for revolving loan funds. Committee members questioned inflation assumptions, affordability, user fees, and the use of legacy fund earnings for bonding, but no decisions were made. In the governance and finance study, Deloitte said final recommendations are still being refined, with a final report due May 29. The study examined the Southwest Pipeline, NAWS, and Red River Valley systems using governance and finance criteria such as decision authority, transparency, affordability, risk, and access to funding. For Southwest, Deloitte outlined options ranging from improved state-authority coordination to transferring ownership to the Southwest Water Authority; for NAWS, options focused on strengthening the authority’s role and potentially transitioning operations and maintenance; and for Red River, options ranged from enhanced facilitation to formal state oversight or state ownership. Members asked follow-up questions about ownership transfer, capital repayment streams, and why NAWS was not considered for transfer, and Deloitte said NAWS’s limited organizational maturity made that option less viable in the near term.