Transcript Highlights:

• So if land was the original section 16 or 36, was underwater, inside a reservation boundary, or already
• I would note, uh, we do have some school trust lands inside reservation boundaries.
• </c><00:08:52.320><c> or</c><00:08:52.720><c> already</c> inside a reservation boundary or already inside
• a reservation boundary or already conveyed<00:08:53.600><c> the</c><00:08:53.839><c> federal</c><00:
• Uh we are working to address boundaries.

Bills: HF3900

Keywords: permanent school fund, school endowment fund, Minnesota constitutional amendment, school aid, public school funding, State Board of Investment, investment income, distributable amount, school districts, property taxes, income taxes, voter approval, ballot question, constitutional amendment 2026, education finance, fund perpetuity, purchasing power, trust lands, swamp lands, internal improvement land fund

Transcript Highlights:

• My husband and I take our kids camping and paddling in the Boundary Waters every year.
• The Boundary Waters is the most visited wilderness area in the country.
• But all that is at risk if sulfide or copper mining is allowed in the watershed of the Boundary Waters
• My husband and I take our kids camping and paddling in the Boundary Waters every year.
• The Boundary Waters is the most visited wilderness area in the country.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Ward. Representative Gilmer, yes. Representative Mirhead, yes.
• &gt;&gt; Representative<00:17:07.280><c> Ward.</c> &gt;&gt; Representative Ward.
• &gt;&gt; Representative Ward.
• Representative Ward is not here. Representative Gilmore, no. Representative Muirhead, no.
• I represent the town of Gtown and Ward 44.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing on CACR 30, a constitutional amendment that would make Public Utilities Commission members elected rather than appointed. Representative Thomas Opel testified in support, arguing that rising energy costs and the utility rate-setting structure make the PUC too insulated from ratepayers, and that elected commissioners would be more accountable. He also said the proposal should ideally include a ban on contributions from regulated utilities to PUC campaigns, and acknowledged the draft had errors and needed work. Representative Lane questioned whether a contribution ban would be constitutional, and Opel said there may be ways to structure one to survive legal challenge. The hearing closed with five online supporters and two opponents reported, and no one else testified. The committee then went into executive session on House Bill 1062, authorizing the Secretary of State to conduct random audits of voters’ citizenship qualifications. Representative Newsome offered an amendment to clarify how voters with no evidence either way would be treated and to require a public report on audit results, including referrals, costs, and databases used. Representative Aqua opposed the amendment, saying the bill should pass as written. The amendment failed 9-7, and after further debate over privacy and the purpose of audits, the committee voted 9-7 to recommend ought to pass on HB 1062. Representative Barry was assigned the majority report and Representative Newsome the minority report. The committee next considered House Bill 1388, which would clarify the form of ballots for constitutional amendments. Representative Weary said the bill simply provides clarity for voters and imposes no hardship on the Secretary of State’s office. The committee unanimously voted 17-0 to recommend ought to pass and placed the bill on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee opened a public hearing on House Bill 1125, enabling school districts to adopt partisan school district elections. Representative Weary said partisan labels would help voters understand candidate positions and address low turnout in local elections. He emphasized the bill is enabling, not mandatory. Members questioned why the change was needed if few municipalities have used existing authority, and whether it would increase divisiveness. Weary said many voters are unaware of the option and that partisan labels would give them more information. The hearing closed with five online supporters and 184 opponents. The committee then began executive session on House Bill 1187, concerning the filing deadline for special-election candidates for state representative, but discussion was still ongoing in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• it says the STAR citizen review panel has to be three residents from each of the seven city council wards
• the seven three residents from each of the seven city<01:40:22.400><c> council</c><01:40:22.800><c> wards
• ><c> a</c><01:40:23.440><c> total</c><01:40:23.679><c> of</c><01:40:23.840><c> 21</c> city council wards
• for a total of 21 city council wards for a total of 21 members.<01:40:25.199><c> And</c><01:40:25.360
• Paul City Council President, and I also represent Ward 2, which includes downtown St.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Brooks, Goodwin, Murdock, Ward, Vice Chair Hamilton.

Bills: HB3045

Keywords: accident response, motor vehicle, law enforcement, fire department, fee prohibition, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Ward, recognized for a follow-up. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Bills: SB1288, SB1705, SB1878, SB2019, SB2118

Keywords: emergency management, federal funding, disaster relief, cost sharing, public assistance, bail reform, public funds, nonprofit organizations, political subdivisions, injunctive relief, criminal procedure, surety bond, judicial discretion, uniform bond schedule, liability insurance, judgments, insurance fund, Oklahoma, county sheriff, commissary

Transcript Highlights:

• Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stephanie, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Valencia, Wallace, Ward

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call and brief procedural business, including approval of a motion to withdraw SB 107 and SB 117 from the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee and place them on third reading. Members also approved procedural requests for adjournment-in-memory remarks and guest seating, and later took up the daily file. The main floor item was H.R. 80, a resolution recognizing Lunar New Year. Assembly Member Fong presented the resolution, and several members from different caucuses spoke in support, emphasizing the holiday’s cultural significance, themes of renewal and family, and California’s large AAPI community. The resolution was opened for coauthors, received 62 coauthors, and was then adopted by voice vote. Fong also distributed prosperity cookie boxes to members after passage. The chamber also observed moments of silence for Reverend Jesse Jackson and later for Babatunde Akinlola and Harold Tripp during adjournments in memory. Members gave tributes highlighting Akinlola’s film and education career and Tripp’s leadership in the Karuk Tribe and work on tribal restoration and natural resources. The session ended with announcements of upcoming committee meetings and adjournment until Thursday, February 19 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stephanie Nguyen, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Valencia, Wallace, Ward

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• vo, Shultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stephanie Nguyen, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallace, Ward, Wicks

Summary: The Assembly met in session after a quorum call, with the clerk calling the roll and a quorum eventually declared present. The day began with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by routine procedural actions: the previous day’s journal was dispensed with, committee reports were deemed read, and several motions were approved, including unanimous consent to allow specified members to speak on adjournments in memory and to let Assemblymember Ortega have guests in the rear of the chamber. The body also gave one-day notice to remove SB 25 from the inactive file. On the daily file, Assembly Bill 673 was read with amendments and the amendments were deemed adopted. Concurrent items 2 and 3, Governor’s vetoes in items 4 through 77, reconsideration items 79 through 81, and third-reading items 82 through 84 were passed and retained or continued as noted. No substantive floor debate occurred on legislation during the session, which was described as a very short session. Most of the meeting was devoted to adjournment-in-memory tributes. Members honored Monica Lynn Martinez Hayes, a Capitol scheduler and artist; Edwin Silva Brazil, a dairyman and community leader; Grand Master Deng Huiduk, a martial arts instructor and mentor; victims of a Stockton shooting, including four young people; and the victims of the Eaton and Palisades fires. Several members spoke about the fire victims by name and emphasized recovery, resilience, and the need to support affected communities. A moment of silence was observed, the names were ordered printed in the journal, and the House adjourned until Friday, January 16 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sanchez, Chiavo, Shalts, Sharp Collins, Solace, Soria, Stephanie, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallace, Ward

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Schiavo, Schultz, Sharp-Collins, Solache, Soria, Stephanie Nguyen, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallis, Ward

Summary: The Assembly convened on June 4, 2025, first addressing a quorum call before proceeding with the day’s business. Members handled several procedural motions, including a failed attempt to withdraw AJR 4 for immediate consideration, approval of requests to notice bills pending re-referral, and a successful motion to withdraw SB 119 from Budget and Fiscal Review and place it on third reading. The chamber also rescinded prior action on SB 47, re-referred SB 355 and SB 685 to Appropriations, and authorized notice for a Housing and Community Development hearing on SB 522. On the floor, the Assembly concurred in Senate amendments to AB 369, a measure on emergency services that increases access to life-saving medication for people with seizure disorders, by a unanimous vote. Members then took up AB 1138, the major film and television tax credit measure, with extensive support from the author and other members who described the bill as a response to California’s declining production and job losses; the bill’s urgency clause and Senate amendments were concurred in, and it was sent immediately to the Governor. The Assembly also concurred in Senate amendments to AB 313 on student financial aid. The body adopted SJR 2, which urges Congress to protect the rights of classified school employees, after debate emphasizing the importance of paraeducators, bus drivers, custodians, clerical workers, and food service staff. The Assembly then adopted the second-day consent calendar, including SCR 25 on nuclear fusion and several other Senate concurrent resolutions, and added coauthors to SCR 74 on Flag Day. The session concluded with announcements, birthday acknowledgments, and adjournment until Monday, July 7 at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Stephanie, Ta, Tangipa, Valencia, Wallace, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Zuber, Mr. Speaker.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• theft and more than 120 acts of vandalism of personal property of employees and caseworkers. by youth wards

Bills: HB50

Keywords: constitutional amendment, ballot language, fiscal note, fiscal impact, cost estimate, savings estimate, Legislative Budget Board, LBB, secretary of state, Election Code, Government Code, voter information, ballot proposition, state budget, election administration, Texas, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Phil Ward, it says only if necessary. It's not necessary, but you're certainly welcome to come up.

Bills: HB227

Keywords: HB227, kratom, Mitragyna speciosa, kratom products, kratom processor, kratom retailer, controlled substances, Texas Controlled Substances Act, Health and Safety Code, Penalty Group 1, tianeptine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, mitragynine, synthetic kratom, kratom alkaloids, adulterated products, product testing, lab testing, ISO 17025, labeling requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward here for AB 253. Begin when you're ready.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Watts, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Zipper, Mr. Speaker. Members, quorum is present.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, my name is Ward Burn. I'm a commercial fisher out of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
• and I'm not sure what Ward's last Ward and I'm not sure what Ward's last name<00:48:31.599><c> is</c
• For the record, my name is Representative Kelly Penza, Strafford District 19, Rochester Wards 1, 2, 3
• Next up is Ward Burn. Welcome back, Mr.
• </c> that excellent testimony next up is Ward that excellent testimony next up is Ward burn<04:19:25.279

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You guys outlawed the ability to eliminate boundaries, right?
• You guys outlawed the ability to eliminate boundaries, right?
• You guys outlawed the ability to eliminate boundaries, right?
• You guys outlawed the ability to eliminate boundaries, right?
• You guys outlawed the ability to eliminate boundaries, right?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This measure provides the authority for counties to amend district boundaries involving land areas of
• amendments</c><01:37:16.560><c> already</c><01:37:16.960><c> being</c><01:37:17.280><c> part</c> boundary
• amendments already being part boundary amendments already being part of<01:37:17.679><c> an</c><01:37
• consolidated proceedings for other consolidated proceedings for other district<01:37:37.920><c> boundary
• boundary amendments that wouldn't<01:37:39.679><c> fall</c><01:37:39.920><c> under</c><01:37:40.239>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 2592, which would clarify the powers of the Mauna Stewardship and Oversight Authority regarding land use on Mauna Akea and related property transfers. The Department of Land and Natural Resources supported the rural property transfer but objected to language transferring conservation district use permits, saying CDUPs normally run with the land rather than being assigned to specific telescopes or observatories. The University of Hawaiʻi and the observatories generally supported the bill but urged clearer language, especially on the transfer of real property assets, related obligations and liabilities, and the inclusion of milestones for the transition. Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill’s overall intent but warned that some language could be overbroad and might improperly waive future beneficiary claims. Several testifiers opposed the measure, arguing it ignored DHHL lands and beneficiary rights, while others supported it as a way to clarify the authority’s role. Members questioned DLNR about the practical effects of transferring CDUP responsibility, and the committee emphasized that the bill was narrowly focused on specific land. The committee then took up House Bill 2593, which would authorize the Mauna Stewardship and Oversight Authority to extend existing leases and subleases for up to 10 years. The authority explained that the bill does not itself extend any lease, but instead gives the authority discretion to initiate a transparent public process if extensions are needed. The University of Hawaiʻi supported the concept but said the timing of any extension matters and noted possible legal requirements under state law. The observatories also supported the bill, describing it as a flexible tool during a broader transition process and noting that the authority has held many public planning workshops. Opponents, including Native Hawaiian and community testifiers, argued that the conservation lands should receive the highest protection, that the community had not consented, and that the observatories have had decades to plan ahead. One testifier urged the bill be deferred or killed for lack of clarity. In response to questions, the committee clarified that the bill only authorizes a process and does not itself extend leases, and that any extension would require public participation. The final measure discussed in the excerpt was House Bill 2047, relating to the AHAPU advisory committee. The discussion focused on the committee’s administrative relationship to the Department of Land and Natural Resources and whether DLNR should oversee basic legal compliance issues such as Sunshine Law and legislative reporting. DLNR explained that the committee is administratively attached to the department, which provides support on human resources, procurement, and legal questions, but that the committee itself generally handles its own operations. The department said it would route compliance questions to its attorneys and implement their advice. The hearing then moved on to House Bill 2231, which would transfer appointment authority for island burial council members from the governor and Senate to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs board of trustees. OHA said it generally supported the change for geographic moku representatives, since it already nominates candidates for those seats, but expressed concern about taking on appointment authority for the large landowner seats because that role is less directly tied to its statutory duties.

Transcript Highlights:

• Meanwhile, school trust lands within the boundaries of the Leech Lake Reservation are 142,274 acres,
• There are far more school trust parcels within the boundaries of the reservation than there are tribal
• trust parcels within the boundaries of our reservation.
• Meanwhile, school trust lands within<00:51:34.640><c> the</c><00:51:34.800><c> boundaries</c><00:51:35.040
• of the reservation than there boundaries of the reservation than there are<00:51:48.480><c> tribal</

Bills: HF1587, HF2293, HF2218, HF1208, HF1482

Keywords: HF1587, Cass County, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR, condemnation, eminent domain, state land, surplus land, public waters, tribal land transfer, federally recognized Indian Tribe, tribal ownership, land conveyance, no consideration, land appropriation, natural resources, U.S. Highway 2, Section 27 Township 145 North Range 28 West, land return, Tribal sovereignty