Bills: HB256, HB272, HB350, HB363, HB386, HB434, HB445, HB690

Keywords: mandatory reporting, school employees, child protection, training requirements, Department of Children and Family Services, education, reading program, student eligibility, literacy, school performance, R.E.A.D. program, book distribution, École Pointe-au-Chien, French immersion, public school, Terrebonne Parish, grade levels, independent school, virtual school, extracurricular activities

Transcript Highlights:

• advantage of certain revenue-generating programs, such as the federal 340B program.
• I am here in support of Senate Bill 2403 relating to the medical facility emergency operating loan program
• So reluctantly, I will support this bill. Representative Munson. I will support this bill.
• We have a program in place.
• We have a program in place.

Bills: HB1623

Keywords: HB 1623, North Dakota, rural health, rural health transformation program, medical facility infrastructure loan fund, medical facility infrastructure loan program, rural health loan program, Bank of North Dakota, Department of Health and Human Services, HHS, federal grant, health care infrastructure, rural hospitals, critical access hospitals, nonprofit health care providers, gap financing, loan fund, public health funding, healthcare financing, Medicaid

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 1624, the “Universal Lunch Bill,” from Rep. Mike Nathie. He argued the proposal should be placed in Century Code rather than the Constitution so future legislatures can adjust it if state finances tighten, and said the bill would start the program a year earlier with a $65 million appropriation for one school year. DPI testified that the estimate did not include nonpublic schools that do not participate, and members questioned the impact on Title I, free-and-reduced applications, private-school accountability, breakfast mandates for schools that do not currently serve breakfast, and whether the funding could come from the DPI budget or other sources. Supporters, including North Dakota United, the North Dakota Catholic Conference, a pediatrician, and the American Heart Association, said universal meals improve student health and learning, reduce family costs, and are better handled in statute than by constitutional amendment. No opposition testimony was offered, and the chair closed the hearing for later work-session action. The committee then took up House Bill 1627, introduced by Rep. Tye Dressler, which would raise the income threshold for the state-funded school lunch program from 225% to 300% of poverty, with an estimated cost of about $7 million for 2026-27. Dressler said the bill is intended as a targeted, budget-friendly alternative to the ballot measure and emphasized that the state should maximize federal meal dollars while improving participation in the current program. Members questioned whether raising the threshold would actually increase utilization, whether a dollar amount would be clearer than a percentage, and how the change would affect federal reimbursements and application rates. DPI said it could quickly calculate additional percentage levels, and the chair closed the hearing, directing DPI to prepare more numbers for the work session. Finally, the committee opened Senate Bill 2403, presented by Sen. Schiable, to create a short-term bridge-loan program for financially distressed hospitals, centered on Jacobson Memorial Hospital in Elgin. The bill would authorize up to $5 million per loan, with a $10 million appropriation available on a first-come, first-served basis, and would run only through June 30, 2027. Schiable said the hospital’s debt and operating problems threaten local health care, ambulance service, and the community’s economy, and that the proposal was designed narrowly with Bank of North Dakota review to avoid creating a broad precedent. Committee members asked whether the appropriation could be reduced and whether the bank would still apply commercial feasibility and repayment standards; Schiable said yes, the bank would still evaluate the loan and could reject it if it was not sound.

Transcript Highlights:

• year of that program.
• year of that program.
• And then we also support supported housing, mental Mental Health Advocacy Network supports the continuum
• And then we also support supported housing.
• We are total support of this.

Bills: HB1623

Keywords: HB 1623, North Dakota, rural health, rural health transformation program, medical facility infrastructure loan fund, medical facility infrastructure loan program, rural health loan program, Bank of North Dakota, Department of Health and Human Services, HHS, federal grant, health care infrastructure, rural hospitals, critical access hospitals, nonprofit health care providers, gap financing, loan fund, public health funding, healthcare financing, Medicaid

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1623, the appropriations bill tied to North Dakota’s Rural Health Transformation Program, which is funded through a new federal rural health care grant. Senator Bekkedahl explained the bill’s background, the interim committee process that developed it, and the federal conditions attached to the award, including spending deadlines, administrative cost limits, and restrictions on uses such as new construction, supplanting existing funding, and certain other costs. Legislative staff then walked through the seven sections of the bill, including appropriation authority, transfer authority, contingent appropriations for pass-through grants, procurement and public improvement exemptions, recipient reporting, legislative reporting, and immediate effective date. Commissioner Traynor and HHS staff described how the department plans to implement the program, emphasizing that the funding is intended to improve rural access, workforce recruitment and retention, technology and data connectivity, and community health initiatives. They said the department will rely on local applications, technical assistance, templates, listening sessions, and partnerships with providers, schools, public health units, tribal entities, and other community groups. Members asked about reimbursement timing, upfront costs, administrative expenses, sustainability after the five-year grant period, and whether CTE centers, public health units, gyms, grocery stores, and other community partners could participate; the department said yes, within program rules and with a focus on measurable outcomes and sustainability. Several supporters testified in favor. Mental Health America of North Dakota and the Mental Health Advocacy Network supported the bill and urged investment in community-based mental health, crisis response, children’s services, peer support, and mobile crisis teams. HIA Health described the grant as a chance to expand home-based and hospice care, noting that rural providers already have workable models but need funding to scale them. A cybersecurity representative also supported the bill, warning that the large amount of health data and AI-related tools will require strong data protection and professional support. The hearing was closed with no opposition testimony, and the committee announced it would return later in the day for further work on the bill and other measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• . program, a hands-on training program in that lab to prepare entry-level manufacturing workers for the
• And the program is very successful. It's modeled after a program in North Carolina.
• This is one option for TEAS to find funding for this program.
• And with that, I respectfully urge your support for this important legislation.
• With this program, we can promote economic self-sufficiency while ensuring parents get the support they

Bills: HB1654, HB1691, HB2545, HB2652, HB3799, HB4144, HB5008

Keywords: peace officers, firefighters, employment protection, worker's compensation, job security, maximum medical improvement, government employment, firefighter cancer benefits, emergency medical technicians, compensation claims, cancer exposures, firefighting hazards, workforce training, rural development, grant program, job-specific training, Texas Workforce Commission, child care, single-parent, subsidized

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I would appreciate support.
• It's kind of in the same vein as the Great Start Compensation Program.
• In support and many people against. I have had listening sessions.
• That is why there is a grant program within the bill.
• We know how important it is to support our youngest Minnesotans.

Bills: HF2436

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras

Transcript Highlights:

• Payment Program.
• Program.
• First, such things include clarifying the data privacy for Great Start Compensation Program support payments
• Program integrity.
• Inclusion and support of the Prepared Meals Grant Program in the Omnibus Bill positively impacts vulnerable

Bills: HF2436

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras

Transcript Highlights:

• everything you've heard, um, the only benefit I see is that as a body we are publicly acknowledging our support
• for rural areas and that we... support for rural areas and that we have this tool.

Bills: HB402, HB402

Keywords: rural impact, legislation, agriculture, school funding, transparency, data assessment, rural communities, land bank authority, property acquisition, tax-delinquent properties, real estate management, local government revenue, floodplain management, stormwater drainage, emergency powers, 1136, house, all

Bills: HCR35, HB440, HB515, HB543, HB614, HB1010, HB1039, HB1088, HB1122, HB1179, HB1200

Keywords: tax delinquency, property sale, rehabilitation, Louisiana State Law Institute, legislation, homestead exemption, property tax, parish governance, Louisiana Constitution, voter approval, adjudicated property, real estate, political subdivisions, property sales, government authority, residential lease, tax credit, property valuation, Louisiana constitution, disaster response

Transcript Highlights:

• This is in support. This is in support of this bill.
• And so, you know, I think this is a shameful bill, but I support it because I support women, but I am
• She strongly supports 2032.
• Does your bill support her?
• I'm here to support HB 2249.

Bills: HB2020, HB2032, HB2033, HB2249, HB2313, HB2318, HB2378, HCR2003

Keywords: interference, disruption, educational institutions, public order, conduct rules, statewide assessment, student testing, academic standards, third grade reading, reading retention, promotion and retention, school accountability, assessment window, testing window, test scores, school report cards, nontest data, graduation rates, dropout rates, education data privacy

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 18 and March 4, 2026, then took up HCR 2003, the Protect Girls in Sports in Arizona Act. Supporters, including Superintendent Tom Horne and several athletes and coaches, argued the measure would protect fairness, safety, and privacy in girls’ sports and locker rooms by requiring sports to be designated male, female, or co-ed and by limiting access to certain private spaces. Opponents, including the ACLU and Arizona Education Association, argued the resolution was discriminatory, would function as a bathroom ban, and could create enforcement and privacy problems. The committee passed HCR 2003 on a 4-3 vote, giving it a due pass recommendation. The committee then heard HB 2020, which would make certain threats or disruptions at educational institutions by minors a class 1 misdemeanor instead of a class 6 felony, and passed it 4-3. HB 2032, which shifts the statewide testing window later in the school year and changes related score deadlines, drew support from school leaders who said it would better reflect full-year learning; it passed 6-1. HB 2033, allowing school districts and charter schools to choose paper-and-pencil statewide testing by governing board vote, also passed 6-0 with one member not voting. HB 2318, establishing term limits for school district governing board members, was amended to clarify the limit applies only after two consecutive four-year terms beginning after a specified date; it passed 4-3 despite opposition from the Arizona School Board Association over impacts on rural districts. The committee next approved HB 2378, which changes eligibility rules for School Facilities Oversight Board members so certain architect and engineer members may not have school-construction business interests, passing 4-3. HB 2313, which prohibits teacher strikes or organized work stoppages and reduces school funding if a strike occurs, passed 4-3 after testimony from educators who said it was punitive and could worsen staffing shortages. Finally, the committee considered HB 2249, which expands the Parents’ Bill of Rights to require written parental consent and notification regarding school facilitation of social transitioning and creates significant civil penalties for violations. Opponents warned it was vague, punitive, and likely to chill ordinary school interactions, while supporters said it was needed to stop schools from hiding information from parents. After adopting a six-page amendment, the committee passed HB 2249 on a 4-3 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the MPU's<00:05:10.960> assessments<00:05:11.360> to<00:05:11.520> rateayers,
• ><00:05:12.320> in<00:05:12.560> my MPU's assessments to rateayers, in my MPU's assessments
• programs to lower energy burden on the... so I don't think it's any different than that.
• programs to lower energy burden on the... so I don't think it's any different than that.
• I really support it.

Bills: HF3298

Keywords: underground storage tanks, petroleum, reimbursement program, environmental regulation, pollution control, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• support again. support again.
• There are so many kinds of programs that we have supported over the years.
• have<00:47:24.280> supported<00:47:24.680> over<00:47:24.840> the programs
• that we have supported over the programs that we have supported over the years.<00:47:25.760> I
• This is a program program standards.

Bills: HF3843, HF3597, HF4003, HF3167, HF4193

Keywords: workforce development, appropriations, nonprofit organizations, employment services, state funding, paid leave, S corporations, employment law, exemptions, Minnesota Statutes, cancer, healthcare, appropriation, Rural Cancer Institute, Minnesota clinicians, pilot program, nursing, education, University of Minnesota, equity

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to make sure their agencies are supported.
• Families can't access early care and learning programs for low-income families.
• It clarifies and supports children in extended foster care.
• I guess I wish that support had shown up in your votes.
• You know, improving our kinship caregivers and supporting them up to caregiver program and supporting

Bills: HF2436, HF2929

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, HF2929, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, food assistance, nutrition assistance, public benefits, eligibility determination, income eligibility, federal poverty guidelines, poverty level, county agency, Tribal agency, human services, children and families, benefits administration

Bills: SB 462, SB 519, SB 878, SB 972, SB 1228, SB 1350, SB 1356, SB 1535

Keywords: childcare, priority, child-care workers, waiting list, legislation, Texas history, education, grant program, nonprofit, student engagement, economic development, public funding, local government, tax abatement, performance metrics, transparency, community engagement, reimbursement rates, Texas Rising Star Program, subsidized childcare

Transcript Highlights:

• enrolled in the safe at home program. enrolled in the safe at home program.
• safe at home program, you really should. safe at home program, you really should.
• Um we do have some modified program.
• And it's a good program.
• fraud committed against state programs. fraud committed against state programs.

Bills: HF3676, HF3683, HF3395

Keywords: Safe at Home, address confidentiality, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, victim privacy, survivor protection, confidential address, protected address, secret address, identity protection, residential confidentiality, program participant, nondiscrimination, court disclosure, protective order, service of process, driver's license, state ID

Summary: The committee first approved minutes from February 19 and February 26, while skipping the February 24 minutes because of a drafting error that would be corrected later. It then took up House File 3676, a Safe at Home program bill described by Rep. Nash as arising from a constituent’s dangerous identity exposure and intended to tighten protections for participants, including allowing emancipated minors to enroll. Testimony from the Secretary of State’s office explained that the bill would clarify who may apply for a minor, require proof of guardianship, strengthen court findings before a participant’s physical address can be disclosed, increase penalties for harmful disclosure, prohibit discrimination based on participation, require state agencies to designate a Safe at Home contact person, allow use of the Safe at Home card as proof of residence for certain ID purposes, and require judge training. Members raised concerns about federal compatibility, constitutionality of court-related provisions, and the need for a fiscal note on the felony penalty. Several sections were noted as being removed or modified in a later engrossment, and the committee voted to re-refer HF 3676 to the Transportation Finance and Policy Committee. The committee then heard House File 3683, which would direct the state budget forecast to include the estimated cost of fraud. Rep. Nash argued that fraud is a significant but unquantified drain on state resources and said the bill would adapt existing forecast language used for inflation to track fraud costs. Minnesota Management and Budget Deputy Commissioner Anna Mingi testified that fraud is unacceptable and that the agency works to prevent and detect it, but said the twice-yearly forecast is not the right tool for this kind of retrospective analysis. She explained that if fraud is identified, the forecast would reflect reduced spending through program integrity actions rather than a separate fraud-cost line item. The bill was moved and referred to the general register after a roll call was requested.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a program for a very similar purpose that was created to support supportive housing providers.
• support of the amendment. support of the amendment.
• For households exiting homelessness and entering supportive housing programs, access to strong, reliable
• > housing<00:47:02.640> programs,<00:47:03.599> access<00:47:04.000> to supportive
• housing programs, access to supportive housing programs, access to strong,<00:47:05.119> reliable

Bills: HF3425, HF3424, HF1385

Keywords: supportive housing, grants, housing assistance, funding, Minnesota Statutes, eviction, rent, nonpayment of rent, landlord-tenant, residential tenant, notice to quit, unlawful detainer, housing, lease violation, late fees, rental assistance, legal aid, tenant rights, Minnesota Statutes 504B.321, pre-eviction notice

Transcript Highlights:

• The JET grant program provides funding for equipment used in career and technical education programs.
• Patient programs, and it would clarify that such funds may also support technology solutions tied to
• I'm not an expert on threat assessment, so I'm keeping my comments.
• We are enthusiastically in support of House Bill 2310.
• For programs that exist in the state of Texas.

Bills: HB322, HB126, HB3062, HB1481, HB2310, HB2674, HB121, HB2243, HB3627, HB1178, HB367, HB5515, HB126, HB121

Keywords: JET Grant Program, career education, technical education, community colleges, technology solutions, high demand jobs, student athletes, name image likeness, compensation, intercollegiate athletics, representation, fentanyl prevention, drug poisoning awareness, higher education, mental health resources, substance abuse education, student policy, communication devices, school regulations, disciplinary measures

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's going to help support and uphold affordable housing.
• and into special assessment agreements with property owners to secure special assessment financing for
• expenditure program.
• A voluntary program that leverages private capital, not state general funds, to support economic development
• Importantly, it's an opt-in program.

Bills: HB2113, HB2237, HB2824, HB2926, HB2939, HB2950

Keywords: utility consumer, rate intervention, public service corporation, Arizona Revised Statutes, residential rates, consumer protection, appropriation, Apache Junction, tourism, recreation, Superstition trails, funding, infrastructure, C-PACE, capital expenditure, special assessment, property improvement, local government financing, energy efficiency, water conservation

Summary: The committee began with a presentation on the modernization of the DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales, Arizona. Testimony from the port authority chair, a county supervisor, and the Nogales mayor emphasized that the port is outdated, flood-prone, congested, and a safety concern because CBP facilities and traffic lanes sit on or near the international boundary and stormwater infrastructure. Speakers said the port is critical to local and state commerce, tourism, and tax revenue, and requested state support and letters backing federal funding efforts. Members discussed the sewer/stormwater flooding issue, the estimated $1.5 billion to $2 billion cost, and the need for federal action; the chair said a letter of support would be prepared for committee members to sign. The committee then heard and passed HB 2237, which appropriates $4.5 million for Apache Junction’s Superstition Trails and visitor gateway project, and HB 2926, the Workforce Housing Accelerator Act. HB 2926 would create expedited permitting for workforce housing, provide a single point of contact, reduce the state portion of prime contracting tax for qualifying projects, and lower the population threshold for certain industrial development authority bond actions. After an amendment, the bill passed 6-1. Testimony in support came from the sponsor and housing advocates, who said the bill would help address Arizona’s missing-middle housing shortage and reduce regulatory delays. The committee also passed HB 2113, which would require RUCO to intervene in utility rate cases when proposed residential rate increases are 100% or more. The sponsor argued RUCO should focus more on rural customers facing large percentage increases, while RUCO’s director said the office has only nine staff, a $1.9 million budget, and limited capacity, warning the bill could increase costs and delay cases. Members discussed rural ratepayer impacts, and the bill passed 5-1-1. HB 2824, authorizing local C-PACE programs for voluntary financing of commercial property improvements, also passed unanimously after testimony that it would support energy, water, and infrastructure upgrades without state general fund exposure. Finally, HB 2939, a rural investment tax credit bill tied to large qualifying investments and net new jobs, passed unanimously after Lucid Motors testified in support. The committee held HB 2950 due to time and adjourned, noting it would be heard first next week.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 2217 establishes a grant program to equip law enforcement vehicles with bullet-resistant components
• HB 2217 establishes a grant program to equip local law enforcement vehicles with bullet-resistant components
• The grant program would be administered by the Governor's Office of Public Safety, Criminal Justice Division
• Thank you to Senator Huffman for her support and help on this. I appreciate it. It’s done.

Bills: HB2217

Keywords: law enforcement, bullet-resistant, grant program, safety equipment, peace officers, 1185, senate, all

Bills: HB2217

Keywords: law enforcement, bullet-resistant, grant program, safety equipment, peace officers, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um I would um support this author's Um I would um support this author's amendment<00:02:47.680> and
• So I would appreciate support. the way that child support uh colas are the way that child support uh
• . support. support.
• support. Chair West. Thank you, Mr. support. Chair West. Thank you, Mr.
• support the amendment. support the amendment.

Bills: HF2436

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, 1183, house