Transcript Highlights:

• Destination Development Fund, we'll put that back to the $20 million that the Senate kicked over to us
• This is in reference to, if you remember, this committee had... ...sent over to the Senate funding under
• However, what this will do is that if the SIF fund reaches, exceeds... ...$410 million during the 2025
• However, what this will do is that if the SIF fund reaches, exceeds, is that if the SIF fund reaches,

Bills: SB2018

Keywords: funding, commerce, autonomous technology, workforce development, economic growth, grant programs, 908, all

Summary: The E&E Committee met to finalize action on Senate Bill 2018, the Commerce Department budget. Members reviewed several funding lines and made verbal adjustments, including reducing tourism marketing awareness to $5 million, keeping Operation Intern at $2 million, restoring the Destination Development Fund to $20 million, setting Autonomous Agriculture Grants/Grand Farm at $10 million, and reducing the WIP Regional Workforce Impact Program to $5 million. Representative Martinson proposed additional earmarks for the Fargo Theatre, Maddock trolley cars, a theater in Marmarth, and Driscoll’s community hall, and also moved to keep the Destination Development Fund at $25 million; the committee discussed these items, but the transcript does not show separate recorded votes on those proposals. The committee adopted two amendments. One dealt with the drone replacement program and related data-collection direction, with language agreed to by UAS representatives, IT, and the governor’s office. The second, offered by Representative Swantec, created a trigger for funding children’s science centers in Fargo and Grand Forks if the SIF fund exceeds a specified threshold during the 2025-27 biennium; the amendment was clarified to use the term “Children’s Science Education Center” and passed 7-0. The committee then approved a do-pass motion on the Commerce budget as amended and with the verbal changes discussed, passing the bill 7-0. During debate, Representative Louser raised concerns that the budget’s spending could affect property tax relief, while the chair responded that there would still be sufficient money for tax relief and that the programs funded were ongoing and successful. The chair closed by thanking members and staff, noting conference committee assignments and a committee dinner, and then adjourned.

Bills: HF2433

Keywords: education funding, children with disabilities, transition aid, special education, school district consolidation

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, we understand shelter saves lives, and we're making sure that we fund some of the shelter programs
• Yes, we understand shelter saves lives, and we're making sure that we fund some of the shelter programs
• Yes, we understand shelter saves lives, and we're making sure that we fund some of the shelter programs
• And we found creative ways to address some of that, to be able to bring more funding in so we didn't
• We found creative ways to address some of that, to be able to bring more funding in so we didn't have

Bills: HF2434

Keywords: healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• If you look at line 22, the general fund funding in this bill is $435,970,000.
• </c><00:03:12.959><c> bill</c><00:03:13.120><c> is</c> general fund uh funding in this bill is general
• fund uh funding in this bill is $435,97,000<00:03:16.239><c> that's</c><00:03:16.560><c> 10</c><00:03
• And then on line 132, of the fund.
• </c><00:04:56.720><c> in</c> environmental and remediation fund in environmental and remediation fund

Bills: HF2439

Keywords: environmental protection, pollution reduction, waste management, climate change, funding allocations, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> recommendation on behavioral health fund recommendation on behavioral health fund reforms.<00:08
• </c><00:32:28.159><c> substance</c> for behavioral health funds substance for behavioral health funds
• Funding the operating outcomes.
• Funding the effective treatment.
• </c><00:54:38.559><c> However,</c> million in onetime funding. However, million in onetime funding.

Bills: HF2434

Keywords: healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• quite a bit of that, adds to some of the other funding, removes funding for the continued care program
• We are working through on receiving some federal funds for our DOE weatherization IGA funding that has
• any funding either.
• Fund.
• But because the funding was one-time funding, the FTE were included as one-time positions.

Bills: SB2018

Keywords: funding, commerce, autonomous technology, workforce development, economic growth, grant programs, 908, all

Summary: The committee took up Senate Bill 2018, the Department of Commerce budget, and walked through the long sheet and a series of proposed changes. Members discussed restoring a vacant workforce FTE that Commerce said it could fill soon, monitoring federal funding delays but reporting no known cuts, and adjusting several one-time items including Operation Intern, the North Dakota Development Fund, the Global Talent Office, and tourism-related funding. The chair also proposed separating tourism marketing and Good Life funding again, rather than combining them, and members raised concerns about ensuring tourism dollars are used only for tourism purposes. A number of program amounts were reviewed or adjusted in discussion, including UAS grants, Vantus/Beyond Visual Line of Sight funding, Grand Sky, Grand Farm autonomous agriculture grants, base enhancement grants, Native American small business grants, regional workforce impact grants, technical skills training grants, and tribal college workforce grants. Commerce officials explained that some grant language would be changed to require competitive RFP processes, and they clarified that the housing opportunity and community property improvement items were handled in other bills or programs. The committee also discussed apprenticeship efforts across state agencies and Commerce’s role in workforce development. The committee reviewed carryover and exemption language for prior appropriations, including federal weatherization and energy funds, and Commerce said three one-time FTE tied to those federal programs should become ongoing because the federal dollars continue over several years. A motion to add $1.5 million for the North Dakota Safety Council failed for lack of a second. The committee then planned to return the next day to continue work on Commerce and take up the CTE budget, including a pending amendment related to CTE’s possible move from the 15th floor of the Capitol.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you support further cuts at NIH funding or staff?
• That amounts to a massive. funding cut for research institutions.
• And for the record, funding has not been canceled.
• For instance, that was once funded.
• Will you commit here today to reinstating funding for scientists whose funding has been terminated because

Keywords: NIH funding, healthcare research, chronic diseases, scientific integrity, public trust, pandemic response

Summary: The meeting of the committee focused on various healthcare and scientific issues, with significant discussions surrounding the impact of recent administrative actions on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its research agenda. Senators expressed concerns over funding cuts and personnel reductions, particularly the reported termination of over 1,200 NIH staff members, which could jeopardize ongoing and future research projects. The session included testimonies on the importance of supporting early-stage researchers and restoring public trust in scientific institutions following pandemic-related controversies. Additionally, the potential for future healthcare management based on diverse scientific ideas was emphasized as crucial to tackle chronic diseases effectively.

Transcript Highlights:

• Each district had the flexibility. to decide how they were going to deploy that funding.
• these funds are the most flexible. source state funding that we have, they make up less than 1% of our
• The Texas Water Fund that was approved during the last session is an umbrella fund that's... really flexible
• I think should the legislature want to enhance the flexibility of of the Water Fund, the flexibility
• of that flexibility to our so that funds aren't appropriated into an individual fund.

Keywords: infrastructure, water supply, flood mitigation, Texas Water Fund, community projects, funding allocations

Summary: During this committee meeting, the focus was on discussing critical infrastructure funding, especially related to water supply and flood mitigation projects. Chairwoman Stepney and the Water Development Board presented extensive details regarding the Texas Water Fund, which included $1 billion appropriated to assist various financial programs and tackle pressing water and wastewater issues. Additionally, funding allocations aimed at compromising the state's flood risk and improving water conservation were hotly debated, emphasizing collaboration among committee members and the necessity of addressing community needs in such projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, there's no funds that are attached to that.
• Chairman, there's no funds that &gt;&gt; M Mr.
• Chairman, there's no funds that are<00:05:32.800><c> attached</c><00:05:33.120><c> to</c><00:05:33.280
• </c> expend other funds. expend other funds.
• Uh, so there are some states that are helping fund this.

Bills: HB0105, HB0107, SF0002

Keywords: K-12 education, school facilities, security improvements, public funding, state appropriations, school construction, local government funding, sales tax distribution, municipal funding, economic equity, state revenue, Wyoming Legislature, legislative appropriations, Legislative Service Office, LSO budget, general fund, biennial budget, legislative branch, legislator travel, per diem

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> section</c><00:03:02.640><c> 1J</c> The funds appropriated under section 1J The funds appropriated
• </c> contingency fund.
• These funds of 1.8 contingency fund.
• on when this was kind of funded last? on when this was kind of funded last?
• Uh actually got a great funding.

Bills: HB0105, HB0107, SF0002

Keywords: K-12 education, school facilities, security improvements, public funding, state appropriations, school construction, local government funding, sales tax distribution, municipal funding, economic equity, state revenue, Wyoming Legislature, legislative appropriations, Legislative Service Office, LSO budget, general fund, biennial budget, legislative branch, legislator travel, per diem

Transcript Highlights:

• , to be administered by DPRIT, called the... ...Dementia Prevention and Research Fund.
• It directs the transfer from the State General Revenue Fund to DPRIT.
• In Texas, the association currently funds 43 projects, totaling $12.5 million.
• So it's all ... non-governmental funds that the Alzheimer's Association gathers specifically to fund
• This includes studying how best to provide stable funding for long-term care.

Bills: SB5, SJR3, SB 5, SJR 3

Keywords: dementia, research institute, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, funding, grants, state health initiatives, research funding, state budget, prevention, healthcare, medical research, Dementia Prevention and Research Institute, disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, district apportionment, legislative rules

Transcript Highlights:

• Our general fund balance, I mean, our general fund revenues are at $19 million.
• To the state highway fund.
• to the General Revenue Fund.
• Using available, flexible funds without taking resources from core roadway projects away is a smart safety-first
• fund is a trust fund.

Bills: HB1589, HB2208, HB2297, HB2560, HB2725, HB3080, HB4417, HB4473, HB4520, HB4662, HB4888, HB4905, HB4906

Keywords: HB 1589, toll road, toll project, toll project entity, voter approval, local control, county election, commissioners court, Transportation Code, Chapter 372, road construction, highway funding, infrastructure, public referendum, ballot measure, transportation policy, Texas toll roads, regional mobility, toll collection, vehicle registration

Transcript Highlights:

• less 7.3 million which goes to the county. lateral road fund.
• fund than they get back.
• The fiscal impact is less than a tenth of one percent to the overall fund and...
• Senate Bill 1, the Appropriations Bill, includes continued funding to address this backlog. agency funding
• The problem is that we didn't fund it. And so.

Bills: SB214, SB935, SB1030, SB1901, SB2018, SB2020, SB2066, SB2206

Keywords: HVAC, tax exemption, energy efficiency, residential heating, installation services, Energy Star, sales tax, residential, installation, sales tax exemption, Environmental Protection Agency, temporary exemption, motor fuel tax, county exemption, diesel fuel, gasoline tax, transportation funding, SB 1030, Texas Tax Code, use tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• And the status of Title 32, we're federally funded, but we're under the command of the governor.
• And the status of Title 32, we're federally funded, but we're under the command of the governor.
• So, the concern that we state funded.
• And if the governor didn't want it, then he wouldn't ask, and they wouldn't get federal funding.
• So, there is that provision and connection to federal funding. And it is a possibility.

Bills: SB3240

Keywords: defense, workforce development, local business, manufacturing, federal funding, economic resilience, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several public safety-related measures and indicated at the outset that, because of short notice, the bills would likely be deferred to the later decision-making agenda. On SB 2645 relating to fire prevention, the bill would restructure the process for selecting the State Fire Marshal and make related changes to the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The Governor’s office, the State Fire Marshal’s office, the Hawaii State Fire Council, DLNR, Maui Fire Department, AIA Hawaii State Council, and others testified, with DLNR supporting most of the bill but opposing the provision changing the marshal’s nomination process to a governor appointee. In questions, members reviewed the relationship between the State Fire Council, the commission, and the marshal, and the Governor’s office clarified that it supported the overall intent but wanted the commission to remain the sole appointing entity. The bill was not voted on in the hearing. The committee then heard SB 3083 relating to protective orders, with support from the U.S. Defense State Liaison Office, the judiciary, the Hawaii National Guard, the Military and Community Relations Office, DBED, and the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Members focused on whether the draft reflected language worked out with the judiciary and whether the bill addressed a previously identified gap in implementation. The Military and Community Relations Office said it had worked with the judiciary on amendments and wanted to ensure the statute created a collaborative process with installation partners and law enforcement. The witness also said the draft appeared to reflect the agreed language, though he noted there were multiple bills moving and that technical amendments might still be needed. No action was taken during the hearing. SB 608 relating to veterans’ rights and benefits drew both support and opposition. Support came from the Hawaii Office of Veterans Services, Veterans Benefits Guide, Aloha Independent Living Hawaii, and individual veterans and service members, who argued the bill would improve access to claims assistance and provide choice and faster help for veterans. Opposition came from the VFW Department of Hawaii and the Veterans Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, which argued the bill should be amended to align with federal law, especially on accreditation and fee caps. Testimony and questioning centered on whether third-party claims assistance should be regulated, whether fee caps are preempted by federal law, and whether there was evidence of fraud tied to non-accredited representatives. Supporters said the bill would help veterans navigate a slow system, while opponents said accredited representatives are accountable and that the bill should be narrowed. The committee also heard SB 2054 relating to public safety, which would prohibit the Hawaii National Guard from deploying to assist federal troops, federal law enforcement, or other states’ National Guard units in Hawaii when the governor objects. The Hawaii National Guard opposed the bill, while the ACLU of Hawaii, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and numerous other organizations and individuals supported it, arguing it would protect civil liberties and prevent federal overreach. The hearing ended without a vote or final action on these measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• indebtedness limit limits for select inland port districts to ensure continued eligibility for federal funding
• and so what I've tried to do with this amendment is get rid of the exemptions and provide more flexibility
• I've tried to do with this amendment is get rid of the exemptions and provide more flexibility by changing
• So it doesn't make everyone happy, but I feel like it provides more flexibility for cities.
• So it creates a lot more of that flexibility for cities to be able to make that decision, as well as

Bills: SB6132

Keywords: indebtedness limits, inland port districts, federal funding, infrastructure improvements, economic development, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They need a little bit more ability to obtain the funding to complete that project.
• If we have, we do have a tax increment area, but those funds are not... we don't need those funds to
• It is the flexibility to react to this changing environment.
• It's a flexibility to react to this changing environment.
• If we had the flexibility to just go out and get— Longer than that, if we had the flexibility to just

Bills: SB6132

Keywords: indebtedness limits, inland port districts, federal funding, infrastructure improvements, economic development, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• positions within the counties funding positions within the counties specifically<00:04:35.440><c> to
• , they can fund that position and<00:05:37.520><c> then</c><00:05:37.680><c> that</c><00:05:38.080><c
• They would just be funded by the state, and they would be specifically for processing our permits.
• >> They're not going to do it unless we fund it. >> Yeah.
• But I mean, are they open to it if we funded a position?

Bills: SB2066

Keywords: permitting, construction, efficiency, state projects, county collaboration, funding, staffing shortages, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees on Energy, Intergovernmental Affairs, and Government Operations heard Senate Bill 2066 on county permitting and inspection. Testimony focused on whether the bill should exempt state projects from county permitting requirements. One testifier opposed the measure, arguing it would bypass established permitting processes, weaken good government, and put the public at risk. A DOE representative said the intent was to speed up state projects, but suggested a different approach: funding county positions dedicated solely to state permits, possibly as a pilot program, rather than removing county review entirely. Committee members discussed the difficulty of moving state projects through county systems, the lack of special treatment, and whether a more systematic or standardized process could be created for repetitive projects. After the discussion, the chairs announced a substantive rewrite of SB 2066. The amended version would delete the county-permitting exemptions for state projects and instead create a cooperative working group to address the intersection of state projects and county permitting needs. The revised measure would also include a blank appropriation for counties to fund personnel to expedite permitting for state projects only. Members clarified that any funded staff would be dedicated solely to state projects. The committee then took votes on the revised measure. The committees adopted the amended bill. The Government Operations Committee recommended the Senate draft one version, and members present voted yes, with Senator Awa excused. The measure was adopted with the revised approach and an effective date set for April 19, 2042.

Transcript Highlights:

• educational emergency by adding persistently low-performing schools, clarifies that STEM curricula may be funded
• through district Title I funds, aligns charter school renewal and dismissal rules through the school

Bills: S7036

Keywords: education, epinephrine, charter schools, voluntary prekindergarten, school funding, teacher incentives, student progress monitoring

Summary: The Senate Committee on Pre-K-12 Appropriations met with a quorum present and announced it would not be presenting its budget at this time, per a Senate memorandum. The sole bill on the agenda was SB 7036 by Senator Corey Simon, which was described as a broad education package strengthening school turnaround tools, early literacy supports, early learning policies, academic offerings, and educator pipeline provisions. Senator Simon explained that the bill addresses persistently low-performing schools, Title I use for STEM curricula, charter school renewal and dismissal rules, epinephrine device policies, VPK summer bridge eligibility, disability-aligned interventions, agriculture and Algebra 1 instruction, GATE access, and certification updates for teachers and computer science. An amendment was adopted that removed provisions on temporary door locks and DOE-developed instructional materials and added a GATE startup grant update. The committee heard numerous appearance forms, with many individuals and organizations waving against the bill, while one student, Ella Latimore, appeared and spoke briefly. Much of the exchange with her was lighthearted and unrelated to the bill, but Senator Simon used his closing to note that concerns from the prior stop had been addressed by removing the DOE materials and door-lock language, and he asked for favorable support. The committee then voted on the bill as amended, and CS for SB 7036 was reported favorably. After the vote, members made several informal statements, including remarks about a Valentine’s Day visit from students and appreciation for community member Misty Cash. Senator Osgood also raised a serious concern about declining immigrant student enrollment affecting district budgets, especially in Broward County, and urged the committee to address the issue proactively with school districts. The chair said staff were already working with districts on the matter and that more discussion would follow. The meeting then adjourned after additional light banter among members.

Bills: SB3

Keywords: disaster relief, emergency funding, flood management, Meteorological forecasting, local government assistance, training facilities

Transcript Highlights:

• That was Representative Re's bill and provided ongoing flexible funding and a basic supplemental aid
• That was Representative Re's bill and provided ongoing flexible funding and a basic supplemental aid
• </c> Re's bill and provided ongoing flexible Re's bill and provided ongoing flexible funding<00:04:23.600
• </c><00:07:25.840><c> In</c> is as flexible as general ed funds.
• In is as flexible as general ed funds.

Bills: HF1049

Keywords: school library aid, education finance, school districts, charter schools, funding eligibility, 1183, house