Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:12.919><c> on</c><00:05:13.400><c> staff</c> just 2% of our budget is spent on staff just
• And $1.8 billion is spent, or 19%, is spent on Children and Families basic care.
• </c><00:05:59.280><c> or</c><00:05:59.639><c> 19%</c><00:06:00.280><c> is</c><00:06:00.440><c> spent<
• /c><00:06:00.680><c> on</c> billion is spent or 19% is spent on billion is spent or 19% is spent on Children
• I know that we spent a bit of time talking... ...I know that we spent a bit of time talking about Medicaid

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We've spent a lot of money the last five years because of a tornado that hit our town.
• So it's spent down our funds considerably, just like all little towns.
• We've spent a lot of money the last five years because of a tornado that hit our town.
• So it's spent down our funds considerably, just like all little towns.
• So it's spent down our funds considerably, just like all little towns.

Bills: HF458 , HF459 , HF461 , HF449 , HF450 , HF965 , HF1280 , HF612 , HF615 , HF616 , HF622 , HF650 , HF651 , HF1045 , HF972 , HF851 , HF644 , HF1050

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: HF458, Henderson, water treatment facility, drinking water, municipal water, public infrastructure, capital investment, state bonds, bonding bill, Public Facilities Authority, water distribution system, well connection, local government grant, Minnesota capital budget, HF459, Carver levee, City of Carver, levee restoration, flood control, flood mitigation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:16:59.160><c> over</c><00:16:59.319><c> a</c><00:16:59.480><c> 4-year</c> funds would be spent
• over a 4-year funds would be spent over a 4-year period<00:17:00.440><c> so</c><00:17:00.560><c> I</
• Much of that appropriation was not spent in this biennium because some of those costs won't really be
• We need to reallocate these funds to where they're better spent, and I'm sorry there's legal ways to
• We need to reallocate these funds to where they're better spent, and I'm sorry there's legal ways to

Bills: HF10

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: undocumented immigrants, state funding, MinnesotaCare, scholarship ineligibility, state assistance, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So my colleague and I spent the last summer and fall traveling to different areas across the state and
• the</c><00:01:14.920><c> last</c><00:01:15.200><c> summer</c><00:01:15.560><c> and</c> Magie and I spent
• the last summer and Magie and I spent the last summer and fall<00:01:16.280><c> traveling</c><00:01:
• uh hearing about the time that you spent uh hearing about uh<00:16:02.199><c> the</c><00:16:02.319><
• </c><00:30:08.240><c> their</c> has to do with covid they spent their has to do with covid they spent

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But so we're not duplicating work, so taxpayer money isn't being spent unnecessarily.
• we do have that detailed accounting linked where we show which districts applied and how much they spent
• What led to the majority of the funds not being spent while we have significant issues we hear about
• “What led to the majority of the funds not being spent while we have significant issues we hear about
• that it may be perceived by the budget writers that this is not a need if the money for this wasn't spent

Keywords: 907, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So whatever they've spent plus interest, and then the entire $100 million would have been funded, at
• that were allocated there in those allocations I just talked about, and the total amount that's been spent
• So there's $78.9 million left that's not spent as of this date.
• There was a pool established for the 2023-25 biennium, so we can see a little over $5 million was spent
• There was a pool established for the 2023-25 biennium, so we can see a little over $5 million was spent

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum present and approved the March 18 minutes. The committee first heard an update from the Petroleum Council on oil and gas activity, which described North Dakota production as holding steady around 1.1 to 1.2 million barrels per day despite lower prices and market volatility. The presentation emphasized that efficiency gains, longer laterals, and improved completion technology are allowing operators to sustain output while activity shifts north in the Bakken. Members asked about gas taxation, natural gas liquids, flaring, and enhanced oil recovery; the witness said gas is taxed by volume, most liquids are handled through oil lines or gas processing, and the state’s EOR pilot projects and new gas infrastructure are intended to help hold production flat and expand future recovery. The committee then received a presentation from the Tax Department on the federal “big beautiful bill” and its effect on North Dakota income tax collections. The department explained that most of the federal changes were extensions of existing Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions, but several items — including the larger standard deduction, senior deduction, tip and overtime exclusions, auto loan interest deduction, and business expensing changes — affect state collections. Revised estimates showed a smaller-than-expected impact on individual income tax, with the department suggesting a net cash effect in the range of roughly $30 million to $35 million when business and individual effects are combined, plus a possible one-time distortion from large oil-field transactions in fiscal year 2025. Members asked which provisions apply to standard versus itemized returns, and the department clarified that most of the individual provisions apply broadly, while the SALT-related item is itemizer-specific. OMB then reported on major capital projects and facility funding. Updates included Capitol grounds improvements such as 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding, augmented reality displays for the Rough Rider Hall of Fame, tree management and lighting studies, and restroom and parking reconfiguration in the tower. OMB also described security upgrades at the governor’s residence, where human remains were discovered on site and are being handled with historical and legal review. The state hospital project in Jamestown remains on schedule for substantial completion in winter 2027 and opening in spring 2028, with costs currently estimated a little over $292 million and a line of credit expected to be drawn in April 2027. The North Central State Office Building in Minot is under construction, with a $5.6 million line of credit already accessed. OMB also reported on the State Facility Maintenance Fund, noting about $1.1 million spent so far on projects such as the Liberty Memorial Building roof and foundation work, Capitol window replacement, boiler replacement, and kitchen remodeling. Finally, Legislative Council staff reviewed the interim compliance report on legislative intent and state trust funds. The report highlighted the status of multiple lines of credit, including those for the state hospital and Minot office building, and noted that the executive budget will likely need to include repayment planning for about $350 million of expected outstanding balances. Other updates included the Bank of North Dakota profit transfer schedule, litigation pool spending, the new Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship, the Missouri River Correctional Center planning effort, HHS items such as FMAP and child care assistance, Job Service’s unemployment insurance modernization project, and DPI school aid turnback estimates. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So a little bit about me: I have spent a lot of time outside.
• Just a comment on my background: most of my career at Audubon California, I spent in the Working Lands
• That means I spent a lot of time out on farms and ranches throughout California, sitting at kitchen tables
• that was not the first time you had met them, that you had, in your short time on the job, already spent
• Well, I've spent my first four months spending a lot of time listening to external partners, spending

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a human rights lawyer by training, and I've spent three decades working on U.S. national security
• And I'm joining you because the same rights that I've spent my career fighting for around the world,
• I'm a human rights lawyer by training, and I've spent three decades working on.
• I'm a human rights lawyer by training, and I've spent three decades working on U.S. national security
• Alfred says she spent the year sleeping on her sofa. Ms.

Committee: Senate Judiciary C

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, we heard through the grapevine that LSU spent some $40 million to attract athletes for this next
• Now, we heard through the grapevine that LSU spent some $40 million to attract athletes for this next
• It does, you know, and that should be spent on something else. That's fine.
• And I think, as it conflicts with the ability for citizens to know how their money is being spent at
• Thank you. ...is being spent at their institutions, I just can't support the bill at all.

Bills: HB55 , HB608 , HB997 , HB1035 , HB1045 , HB1048 , HB1049 , HB1057 , HB1131 , HB1177 , HB1201

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Keywords: juror confidentiality, public records, criminal procedure, privacy, court disclosure, intercollegiate athletics, confidentiality, revenue sharing, student athletes, official journal, public notices, government transparency, local government, municipal website, school board notices, parish council, police jury, special districts, levee district, drainage district

Transcript Highlights:

• I've spent the last number of those working in a combination of law, policy, and nonprofit work.
• I've spent the last number of those working in a combination of law, policy, and nonprofit work.
• I spent my entire legal career here in Hawaii. My kids were born here. This is my home.
• c><00:15:13.079><c> the</c><00:15:13.240><c> time</c><00:15:13.600><c> that's</c><00:15:13.760><c> spent
• </c> just some of the time that's spent just some of the time that's spent reviewing<00:15:14.440><c>

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Governor’s Message 725, the nomination of Daniel M. Gluck to serve as associate judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals for a 10-year term. The chair announced a two-minute testimony limit, said the committee would not vote that day, and scheduled decision-making for the next day at 10:45 a.m. in Room 016. Testimony in support came from the Governor’s Office, judges and legal professionals, the Hawaii State Bar Association, and members of the public, including a child who described Gluck’s kindness and help in Girl Scouts. The committee reported 72 supporters, zero opposition, and one comment from the West Side Bar Association. Gluck thanked the committee and outlined his background in private practice, nonprofit work, and government service, including work in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. He emphasized access to justice, pro bono representation, and his commitment to reducing the ICA backlog. In response to questions, he said he would focus on fuller staffing, shorter and more concise opinions, possible use of AI for limited administrative tasks, and process improvements to speed appeals. He also discussed appellate timelines, briefing schedules, and the value of oral argument for transparency and clarification. Members questioned him about impartiality, especially in cases involving tension between Hawaii and federal precedent. Gluck said judges must follow controlling law, including U.S. Supreme Court precedent on federal questions and Hawaii Supreme Court precedent on state-law issues, and that the judiciary should not make policy. He also described his current work as deputy corporation counsel, including HART, firearms licensing after Bruen, appeals, and pending state cases. No vote was taken, and the hearing was adjourned after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is an honor of a lifetime to serve as Secretary of the agency, where I spent 16 years of my tenure
• opine on whether or not they are planning on returning any money or what those dollars were actually spent
• So every dollar that was spent while I was at the department was spent following the requirements for
• You know, we spent a lot of time earlier in this committee talking about the Hope Florida scandal and
• You know, we spent a lot of time earlier in this committee talking about the Hope Florida scandal and

Committee: Senate Ethics and Elections

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, or these things that have spent an enormous amount of money in planning but don't seem to be
• respond more specifically to the challenges and not, you know, the happy talk of like, yeah, we've spent
• long as I'm going through the litany of problems, that, you know, the Santa Barbara connection, they spent
• And I don't know the current state of it or how much of that money has been spent, but I know that it
• And when I spent two visits in Japan, their fuel cell battery trains were efficient, clean, and cost-effective

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate the time that you spent with me on our pretty long Zoom call with some serious questions
• And then we sort of authorize how cap and trade will be spent.
• We sort of authorize how cap and trade will be spent.
• I spent my summers in your district. Oh, great.
• Prior to this appointment, I spent 12 years at the U.S.

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The committee first established quorum and then approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Indira Cameron Banks to the Civil Rights Council, Sonar Loma Lee to the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, and two University of California College of the Law, San Francisco Board of Directors appointees, along with reference of bills to two committees and floor acknowledgments. All of those items passed by voice or roll-call votes, mostly unanimously, with the Civil Rights Council appointment approved 3-2. The main portion of the meeting focused on the Air Resources Board appointments of Linda Hopkins and Patricia Lock Dawson. Both nominees emphasized climate action, public engagement, and balancing environmental protection with economic realities. Members questioned them extensively about cap-and-trade/cap-and-invest, leakage and job losses, agricultural impacts, warehouse and truck traffic burdens, emergency vehicle and wildfire evacuation needs, low-carbon fuel standards, gas appliance rules, hydrogen, nuclear energy, and the need for socioeconomic analysis and better communication with affected communities. Public commenters from labor, environmental, local government, and industry groups spoke in support of both nominees. The committee approved Hopkins 4-0 with one member not voting, and Lock Dawson 5-0, sending both nominations to the full Senate. The committee then heard Andrew Rakestraw’s appointment as chair of the Board of Environmental Safety/DTSC oversight board. He described his background in climate and regulatory negotiations and said he would focus on transparency, accountability, fiscal stability, and listening to both regulated entities and disproportionately burdened communities. Senators asked about DTSC reform, the Moss Landing battery fire, community engagement in places like Hinkley/Herupah Valley, fee-setting and the generation-and-handling fee, the Environmental Justice Advisory Council, the Exide cleanup, and the hazardous waste management plan. After supportive public testimony, the committee approved his appointment 3-0, with one member not voting, and sent it to the full Senate for confirmation before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• So he spent about two weeks here, mostly up in the Sandia Mountains.
• So he spent about two weeks here, mostly up in the Sandia Mountains.
• That’s step number one, to understand how communities want those dollars spent.
• The funds would have to be spent in fiscal years 27 through 29.
• The funds would have to be spent in fiscal years 27 through 29.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 180, a disaster-funding measure that was amended with a substitute adding reporting requirements for the Natural Disaster Revolving Fund, creating a new funding “waterfall” that could draw first from the executive orders for disaster fund, then the appropriation contingency fund, and then the revolving fund, and removing language tied to the end of a fiscal year. The sponsor said the bill clarifies which disaster funds may be used for natural and non-natural disasters, limits and structures executive authority, and improves transparency. Supporters included the New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts and the Village of Ruidoso; DFA raised concern that the transfer language could unintentionally create a deficit and threaten bond obligations. After questions about non-natural disasters, executive orders, and the fiscal impact, the committee voted do not pass on the original bill and do pass on the committee substitute. House Bill 158, dealing with the Government Results and Opportunity Expendable Trust, was amended with a technical change replacing “expendable trust” with “program fund” in several places. The bill would require agencies receiving GROW appropriations to submit accountability and evaluation plans to the state budget division director and LFC director. Sponsors said they had worked with DFA and tried to address concerns raised in a prior veto message. There was no public opposition, and the committee approved the bill as amended. House Bill 271 proposed a one-time $100 million general fund appropriation to the Office of Natural Resources Trustees for public land expansion and restoration, plus up to $30 million for state matching funds for political subdivisions with approved federal disaster assistance. Supporters from outdoor recreation, conservation, wildlife, and local government groups said the bill would help restore fire- and flood-damaged lands, expand access, and support rural economies; opponents or skeptics raised concerns about land management, tax base loss, tribal consultation, and whether the state should acquire more land given New Mexico’s already high public-land percentage. After extended debate, the committee tabled the bill. Finally, House Bill 246 was heard as a Lincoln County/Ruidoso floodplain mitigation bill. It would provide state matching funds so local governments can leverage federal Emergency Watershed Protection dollars to buy out and rehabilitate repeatedly flooded properties, with the goal of reducing future disaster risk. The sponsor and county officials said the program is voluntary, based on pre-disaster valuation, and intended to help residents relocate while restoring floodplains; supporters from conservation and recreation groups said it could become a model for disaster recovery. Committee members asked about property priority levels, voluntary participation, ownership after acquisition, and climate-related planning. The discussion ended with the sponsor describing the bill as a Lincoln County-specific effort tied to ongoing flood recovery and forest-management concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the last 3 months, I've<00:13:42.079><c> spent</c><00:13:42.320><c> a</c><00:13:42.480><c> lot</
• a lot of time along with the I've spent a lot of time along with the chairman<00:13:44.240><c> and</
• </c><00:15:34.320><c> I</c><00:15:34.560><c> spent</c><00:15:34.800><c> about</c><00:15:34.959><c> an
• I spent about an bold and talk about it.
• I spent about an hour<00:15:35.199><c> and</c><00:15:35.279><c> a</c><00:15:35.440><c> half</c><00:15

Committee: Joint Energy

Keywords: Energy - Room 210, 2 February, 2026; 4:15 PM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This funding has not been spent by Workforce Solutions.
• They've spent, I believe, about $3 million of the original $17 million.
• This funding has not been spent by Workforce Solutions.
• They've spent, I believe, about $3 million of the original $17 million.
• And I think, Chairman and Director, I heard that we’ve spent about $3 million of it so far.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The agency spent about $83.7 million... ...to page 13 in your handouts.
• The agency spent about $83.7 million in recurring funding in FY25.
• For every dollar that's spent on New Mexico Care, we see a $6 return. At return on investment.
• For every dollar that's spent on New Mexico Care, we see a $6 return.
• I know we have a lot ahead of us, but I just, again, want to stress that every dollar that's spent on

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that this money would be well spent and serve the community in a really effective way.
• I don't know what the details are on it, but there was a lot of money spent on that project there, and
• I don't know what the the details are on it, but there was a lot of money spent on that that project
• Representative Zamora asked whether the money spent by the state would not have to be repaid by that
• outside of the breakdowns of exactly how much is being spent outside of just Bernalillo, Santa Fe, and

Bills: HB70 , HB93 , HB95 , HB139 , HB140 , HJR4

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Keywords: Public Regulation Commission, PRC, utility oversight fund, public utilities, utility regulation, commissioners, commission staff, chief of staff, ethics, Gift Act, revolving door, post-employment restrictions, consumer complaints, telecommunications, pipeline safety, natural gas pipelines, oil pipelines, license fees, regulatory oversight, administrative cleanup

Transcript Highlights:

• It needs to be spent by the following September. The second allocation begins immediately.
• We spent a lot of time on there. We heard good discussion both ways.
• whether this $65 million that's suggested for this bill for the one year would probably be better spent
• going to property tax relief or other things. year would probably be better spent going to property
• In our discussion, we asked how much of that $6 million was spent, and it's $1 million, Madam President

Bills: SB2401 , SB2402 , SB2403 , SB2404

Keywords: SB 2401, North Dakota, Century Code, occupational therapy, occupational therapy board, criminal history record check, background check, licensee investigation, physician continuing education, medical license renewal, nutrition education, metabolic health, chronic disease prevention, health occupation boards, medical board, licensure fee, audit response, disciplinary action, Title 43, board of medicine

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, roll call, and a quorum present, then took up second reading and final passage of several House bills related to the Rural Health Transformation Program and other matters. House Bill 1621, requiring the presidential fitness test in school physical education with exceptions and a delayed effective date, passed 43-3. House Bill 1623, appropriating federal rural health transformation grant funds and creating a related loan program and reporting structure, passed 46-0 after extensive debate about using the federal money for community health, infrastructure, and sustainability. House Bill 1622, joining the physician assistant licensure compact, also passed unanimously 46-0. House Bill 1625, authorizing the Ray Richards Golf Course land sale to support a Grand Forks transportation project and golf course improvements, passed 46-0. House Bill 1626, clarifying that the primary residence credit is applied after the early payment discount so taxpayers receive the full $1,600 benefit, passed 40-6.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tens of millions of dollars have been spent relative to habitat restoration and a lot of projects have
• King County has stepped up, spent a long time as a supporter of salmon recovery efforts with a $250,000
• Tens of millions of dollars have been spent relative to habitat restoration and a lot of projects have
• We have used that money from both what the tribe and WDFW has spent to vastly increase our understanding
• The millions of dollars that the state and the feds have spent on salmon habitat restoration, on hatchery

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 5838, which would add a federally recognized tribal representative to the State Board of Natural Resources. The Department of Natural Resources commissioner and tribal leaders said the change would bring Indigenous knowledge and a voting voice to decisions on trust lands, while preserving existing tribal consultation. Some county and economic interests said they were not opposed to tribal participation but stressed the board’s fiduciary duty to trust beneficiaries and asked for more review of the board’s purpose; one witness questioned whether the beneficiaries had been consulted. The prime sponsor, Senator Claudia Kaufman, said the bill is about inclusion and equity and indicated openness to an amendment adding both eastside and westside tribal representation. The hearing closed with 142 written comments reported: 33 pro, 107 con, and 2 other. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5960, which would require Fish and Wildlife to designate at-risk ungulate populations and take predator mitigation actions when populations fall below specified benchmarks. Senator Shelley Short said the bill responds to declining deer and elk numbers and a lack of management, especially in northeast Washington. Supporters argued the bill would codify existing agency plans and restore balance in wildlife management, while opponents—including conservation groups, the Sierra Club, and several scientists and advocates—said the state’s predator-prey study found wolves were not the main driver of ungulate declines, pointing instead to habitat, forage, weather, disease, and vehicle collisions. Ranching and farm groups supported the overall goal but objected to the bill’s in-state wolf translocation provisions. The Department of Fish and Wildlife said it recognized the bill’s intent but opposed it because some directives were impractical, costly, or would require legislative approval. The hearing closed with 1,197 written comments reported: 843 pro, 352 con, and 2 other. The committee then held a work session on Lake Washington salmon predation. Larry Phillips and Muckleshoot Fisheries Director Jason Schaffler described a coalition effort to reduce predation on juvenile salmon in the Lake Washington system, saying invasive and predatory fish such as walleye, rock bass, American shad, northern pike, yellow perch, and smallmouth bass are harming sockeye and Chinook recovery. They said sockeye returns have fallen from hundreds of thousands to about 18,000 in recent years, ending tribal and sport fisheries, and argued that targeted predator removal, supported by prior state and county funding, could help restore runs. Senators asked about the methods and funding, and the presenters said fishing and netting are being used to suppress larger predatory fish and that more sustained investment is needed. Finally, the committee began public hearing on Senate Bill 1697, which would make federally recognized tribes eligible recipients for county conservation futures funds. Testifiers from the Washington Farmland Trust and the Tulalip Tribe said the bill would expand voluntary conservation partnerships, help tribes steward farmland and habitat, and make it easier to leverage county funds with other grants. They described past projects where tribal participation improved conservation outcomes but said tribes could not directly access conservation futures dollars under current law.