Bills: HB1455

Keywords: tribal consultation, Indian Affairs Commission, tribal governments, tribal sovereignty, state-tribal relations, Native American, tribal nations, consultation requirement, legislative process, jurisdiction, sovereignty, North Dakota tribes, government-to-government consultation, tribal chairpersons, 908, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up House Bill 1489, and Victoria Christian from Legislative Council reviewed the latest 3003 version. She explained that the bill was revised to clarify language about individuals who are or were in a dating relationship, to incorporate provisions from related Senate bills, and to narrow confidentiality and hearing provisions to domestic violence and sexual assault protection order cases. She also noted a clarification on page 12 regarding certification of certain individuals under Supreme Court rules rather than by the Supreme Court itself. Members discussed the consolidation of multiple related bills into one measure. Senator Myrdal moved Amendment 3.03 to engross House Bill 1489, and the motion passed. Senator Myrdal then moved a do pass recommendation on House Bill 1489 as amended, seconded by Senator Luick. The committee voted in favor of the amended bill by roll call, with all members present voting yes, and the motion carried. Chair Larson then asked for a member to carry the bill to the floor, and it was agreed that the bill would be carried. The committee also discussed its remaining workload and planned to clear the rest of its calendar the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• At its core, this bill is about tribal consultation.
• Tribal consultation is more than just a procedural step.
• Tribal consultation is more than just a procedural step.
• and tribal neighbors. ...can inadvertently harm or exclude our tribal members and tribal neighbors.
• This could include how tribal lands are managed, policies affecting health care access for tribal members

Bills: HB1455

Keywords: tribal consultation, Indian Affairs Commission, tribal governments, tribal sovereignty, state-tribal relations, Native American, tribal nations, consultation requirement, legislative process, jurisdiction, sovereignty, North Dakota tribes, government-to-government consultation, tribal chairpersons, 908, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first heard House Bill 1455, which would require the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission to review introduced legislation for tribal implications and conduct consultation with affected tribes. Rep. Collette Brown said the bill was intended to formalize and strengthen tribal consultation, and Standing Rock Sioux Tribe representative Ross Bell testified in support. Brad Hawk, executive director of the Indian Affairs Commission, testified neutrally, saying the office already does much of this work but that the bill would add structure; several senators raised concerns about duplication, possible future staffing costs, and whether the bill was necessary. The committee amended the bill to replace “each measure” with “all legislation,” then passed a do-not-pass recommendation on HB 1455 by recorded vote, with Sen. Luick designated as carrier. The committee then took up House Bill 1032, dealing with municipal courts, appeals, and judge qualifications. Legislative Council and court staff walked through proposed amendments, including making municipal courts courts of record on a delayed effective date, clarifying appeal procedures, and adding standards for municipal judges. Members discussed whether to use the term “ethical standards” or “judicial conduct”; after questions about definitions and enforcement, the committee settled on replacing the language with “judicial conduct” in the amended bill. The committee adopted the amendments and then passed HB 1032 as amended on a do-pass vote, with Sen. Cory to carry. Later, the committee heard House Bill 1263, which would make it easier for people with criminal records to seek sealing after a denial by allowing an appeal and reducing the waiting period for a new petition from three years to one year. Rep. Nels Christensen, Christopher Davis, Travis Fink, and Brad Peterson all supported the bill’s goal of giving people a better path to rehabilitation and employment. The main point of disagreement was whether to keep the statutory presumption that the benefit to the petitioner must outweigh the presumption of openness of criminal records; several witnesses urged removing that language, while others said it was part of the compromise that created the current law. The committee closed the hearing without taking final action and said it would review the House discussion before deciding later.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:03:11.039><c> governments</c><01:03:11.359><c> that</c><01:03:11.440><c> share</c> The tribal
• It just adds to this other list of entities that have to consult with tribal entities.
• It just adds to this other list of entities that have to consult with tribal entities.
• </c> that um uh have to consult with tribal that um uh have to consult with tribal entities<01:04:11.440
• governments and brings it in line tribal governments and brings it in line with<01:08:52.799><c> every

Bills: HF1470, HF1310, HF1837

Keywords: opioids, substance use, addiction recovery, mental health, state cabinet, HF1310, Office of Cannabis Management, cannabis, marijuana, tribal consultation, government-to-government relationship, Minnesota tribes, Tribal governments, state government, consultation, rulemaking, Indian affairs, cannabis regulation, tribal sovereignty, state-tribal relations

Transcript Highlights:

• Eventually, state and tribal leaders struck a more cooperative tone and began working together on the
• I'm the Director of Tribal Affairs for Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
• I'm also a tribal citizen. The department has signed pro on this bill.
• previously proposed this legislation along with Representative Lekinoff to repeal the unenforceable anti-tribal
• Farms' support of this bill, as it offers a multi-tiered benefit for food producers, particularly tribal

Bills: HB2104, HB2554, HB2619

Keywords: aviation, wildland fires, funding, disaster relief, emergency response, tribal rights, fishing rights, salmon management, state-tribal agreements, natural resources, agriculture, regulations, farming, compliance, economic impact, 904, all

Bills: HB2104, HB2223, HB2348, HB2554, HB2619

Keywords: aviation, wildland fires, funding, disaster relief, emergency response, irrigation, district director, contracts, beneficial interests, agriculture, timber sales, land sales, process efficiency, legislation, department language, tribal rights, fishing rights, salmon management, state-tribal agreements, natural resources

Transcript Highlights:

• :31.759><c> schools,</c><00:05:32.000><c> including</c> ...schools, non-public schools, including tribal
• </c><00:10:08.240><c> contract</c> serving students, tribal contract serving students, tribal contract
• Whether<00:34:35.359><c> it's</c><00:34:35.599><c> on</c><00:34:35.839><c> tribal</c><00:34:36.320><c
• lands or it's a Whether it's on tribal lands or it's a cooperative<00:34:38.240><c> between</c><00:34
• </c> religious school or a tribally religious school or a tribally affiliated<01:06:24.319><c> school

Bills: HF3492, HF3493, HF3494, HF3495, HF3602

Keywords: school safety, grants, education funding, Northern Lights Express, security improvements, rural schools, safe schools, charter schools, nonpublic schools, Tribal education, funding increase, safe schools aid, school security, mental health support, Tribal schools, cybersecurity, funding, mental health, evidence-based plans, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• One was an FTE for an exhibition preparator position, and then the other one was for an FTE tribal liaison
• Again, the other one was the tribal liaison. That's meant to work with NAGPRA.

Bills: HB1603

Keywords: Native American, grave protection, repatriation, cultural heritage, tribal compliance, 908, all

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met with a quorum and announced it would begin meeting at 8 a.m. for the rest of the week to work through a growing bill list. The committee first approved House Bill 1603, a companion to the Historical Society budget dealing with NAGPRA, including a $500,000 matching grant to be divided among North Dakota’s five tribes and a committee to address repatriation of human remains and cultural items. The vote was unanimous, 15-0. The committee then considered House Bill 1225, which would increase penalties for reckless endangerment involving a firearm and create a mandatory prison term. After debate over public safety concerns versus the bill’s fiscal note and prison costs, the committee adopted a do not pass recommendation by a 9-6-1 vote. Members also discussed House Bill 1018, the State Historical Society budget, and approved an amendment that adjusted one-time funding items, including NAGPRA compliance, museum exhibits, military gallery funding, local historic grants, and line-of-credit repayment. The amended bill then received a due pass recommendation by a 14-2 vote. The committee next approved House Bill 1468, a behavioral health facility grant for St. Hayes, which supporters said would expand in-state access to acute and adolescent behavioral health care and reduce the need to send patients out of state. The bill passed 14-1. It then amended and passed House Bill 1485, increasing the personal needs allowance for certain Medicaid recipients by $15 and indexing it to inflation; the amendment and the bill as amended both passed 14-2. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 1016, the Adjutant General/National Guard budget, after adopting an amendment that funded disaster relief, response equipment, IT and website costs, and staffing changes for the watch center; the amended bill passed 14-2. The committee adjourned after completing six bills and planned to resume the next morning at 8 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• tribal treaty obligations, is that accurate?
• Chairperson, Vice Chairperson Morgan, members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify
• Tribal communities send our children Tribal communities are tightly linked with our trust beneficiaries
• And I honored them as much as any non-tribal member could.
• And I honored them as much as any non-tribal member could.

Bills: HB2117, HB2199, HB2327, HB2516, HB2554

Keywords: tribal member, board of natural resources, indigenous representation, natural resource management, local governance, derelict vessels, marine environment, coastal management, environmental protection, maritime economy, audit, county, forest management, transparency, public lands, rodenticide, rodenticides, anticoagulant rodenticide, bromethalin, pesticide

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held public hearings on several bills related to tribal representation, rodenticide regulation, treaty fishing rights, and county forest trust lands. On HB 2117, the committee heard testimony on adding a tribal representative to the Board of Natural Resources. The prime sponsor, DNR officials, tribal leaders, and county representatives discussed whether the new seat would improve government-to-government relations and bring tribal expertise to board decisions, while county witnesses emphasized the board’s fiduciary duties to trust beneficiaries and asked for stakeholder input. Testimony was split, and the committee recorded 192 pro, 124 con, and no other sign-ins before closing the hearing on that bill. On HB 2516, which would impose a moratorium on certain anticoagulant rodenticides and bromethalin while requiring a state report and an Academy of Sciences study, the prime sponsor argued the bill was needed to reduce harm to children, pets, wildlife, and waterways while preserving emergency-use exceptions. Supporters included wildlife veterinarians, bird conservation advocates, the Stillaguamish Tribe, and other tribal and environmental witnesses who described secondary poisoning in raptors and other wildlife and pointed to non-toxic alternatives such as CO2 burrow treatment and rodent birth control. Opponents from the pest management industry and product associations warned the bill would remove effective tools for controlling rodent infestations, especially in low-income and manufactured-home communities, and argued the state should wait for more data and EPA action. The committee later recorded 754 pro, 176 con, and five other sign-ins. The committee also heard HB 2554, which would repeal Initiative 456 and remove statutory language limiting recognition of tribal treaty fishing rights. The prime sponsor and agency witnesses from the Attorney General’s Office and Department of Fish and Wildlife said the initiative is unconstitutional and inconsistent with federal treaty law, and that repeal would align state law with court rulings and existing state-tribal cooperation. Finally, on HB 2327, the committee began hearing a bill directing JLARC to audit the county forest land trust and DNR’s management of county transfer lands. The prime sponsor, former Rep. Jim Buck, said the bill is intended to examine whether the trust is operating as originally intended and whether counties’ beneficiary rights are being protected; testimony on that bill had just begun when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• nations, including establishing the Treasury Tribal Advisory Committee and the Tribal Affairs Office
• This has benefited tribal nations, and it is also very to Minnesota and I think it's also helped the
• Senator, I was the Treasury point of contact for tribal consultations in the first Trump administration
• I in fact attended a tribal event in Minnesota and I was present at the initial meeting of the Treasury
• I think it's important that that Office of Tribal Affairs stays in place.

Keywords: nomination, Deputy Secretary of Treasury, economic policy, inflation, tariffs, tribal nations, government relations

Summary: The meeting convened to consider the nomination of Mike Falkender for the position of Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. During the session, multiple members voiced concerns regarding current economic policies under the Trump administration, particularly around inflation, tariffs, and the impact on small businesses. Discussions frequently centered on the administration's approach to tariffs and taxation, and how these factors contribute to the rising cost of living and potential job losses. Additionally, the importance of bolstering government-to-government relationships with tribal nations was emphasized, highlighting the need for specialized offices focused on tribal affairs within the Treasury Department.

Bills: SB240

Keywords: capital outlay, capital projects, severance tax bonds, general fund appropriations, supplemental severance tax bonds, UNM School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, infrastructure, state buildings, courts, schools, higher education, road improvements, water and wastewater, tribal infrastructure, tribal projects, public safety, housing, emergency services, bonding

Transcript Highlights:

• These are projects that would benefit tribal communities, low income homes where it is hard to keep the
• And that's something that we did, in fact, learn my first year as Chairperson of this committee when
• Chairpersons, we've been in maintenance mode in New Mexico for a long time.

Bills: SB240

Keywords: capital outlay, capital projects, severance tax bonds, general fund appropriations, supplemental severance tax bonds, UNM School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, infrastructure, state buildings, courts, schools, higher education, road improvements, water and wastewater, tribal infrastructure, tribal projects, public safety, housing, emergency services, bonding

Transcript Highlights:

• tribal nations, they are very essence of who they are.
• This bill ensures direct participation by tribal leadership.
• Although it says a tribal chair sitting there, the tribal chair has his own sovereign right to bring
• I am a Squawkson Island tribal member and currently the Squawkson Island Tribal Council secretary.
• natural resources in the context of tribal fishing rights.

Bills: HB2598, HB2620, HB2104, HB2348, HB2544, HB2554, HJM4009

Keywords: anadromous fish, environmental conservation, state coordination, wildlife recovery, fisheries management, forest management, natural resources, collaboration, forest practices, sustainability, aviation, wildland fires, funding, disaster relief, emergency response, timber sales, land sales, process efficiency, legislation, department language

Summary: The committee held public hearings on House Bill 2598, which would create a Salmon Advisory Commission to coordinate salmon and steelhead recovery efforts among tribes, state agencies, legislators, and local governments. The prime sponsor argued the commission would improve coordination, elevate tribal co-management, and address fragmented recovery efforts. Supporters emphasized salmon’s cultural and treaty importance and the need for a formal statewide forum, while the lone public testifier from Washington Policy Center opposed adding another statewide body and urged more local control. The bill drew strong opposition in sign-in sheets, with 10 in favor, 886 opposed, and one other. The committee then heard House Bill 2620, which would repeal the recently adopted non-fish-bearing stream buffer rule and change how future riparian buffer rules are evaluated. The ranking member said the bill was intended to restore collaboration and ensure stakeholders were heard. Testimony split sharply: tribal, Ecology, DNR, conservation, and environmental witnesses defended the rule as science-based, necessary for water quality, and consistent with the Forest and Fish adaptive management process; timber, small forest landowner, and county representatives said the process broke down, the rule was too burdensome, and economic impacts on rural communities were not adequately considered. Committee members questioned witnesses extensively about consensus, Ecology’s role in concurrence, economic analysis, and the history of the rulemaking. Sign-in sheets showed 592 in favor, 489 opposed, and one other. In executive session, the committee first passed House Bill 2104, which removes the sunset from the Aviation Assurance Funding Program, by an 11-0 vote. It also passed House Bill 2348, a Department of Natural Resources request bill making changes to land and material sale advertising procedures, by 11-0. House Joint Memorial 4009, urging federal action on wildfire management of national forest lands, also passed 11-0. House Bill 2554, which repeals Initiative 456 concerning state declarations on tribal natural resource management and fishing rights, passed 7-4 after a roll call vote, with several members voting no without recommendation. The committee then moved on to House Bill 2544, but the transcript cuts off before that vote was completed.

Bills: HB2325, HB2521, HB2720, HB1960, HB2073, HB2675, HB2681

Keywords: tourism, tourism promotion, Washington Tourism Marketing Authority, assessment, self-supported assessment, visitor economy, destination marketing, statewide marketing, lodging, hotels, restaurants, travel services, attractions, recreation, retail, beverage producers, arts and culture, tribal nations, tribal businesses, rural communities

Bills: HB2325, HB2521, HB2720, HB1960, HB2073, HB2675, HB2681

Keywords: tourism, tourism promotion, Washington Tourism Marketing Authority, assessment, self-supported assessment, visitor economy, destination marketing, statewide marketing, lodging, hotels, restaurants, travel services, attractions, recreation, retail, beverage producers, arts and culture, tribal nations, tribal businesses, rural communities

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, approved the previous day’s minutes, and heard a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. The chamber also moved several bills through routine orders, including placing House Bill 273 on health carrier surpluses and House Bill 2681 on cannabis license fees on the second reading calendar, and welcoming guests and honored families to the gallery. The main floor action centered on three bills. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2325, establishing a tourism self-support program, was amended with a technical clarification and passed 84-5. Supporters said the industry should fund a statewide tourism marketing effort to attract visitors year-round and compete with other states. Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 1960, on renewable energy, was amended to address local tax treatment of wind, solar, and battery storage projects and passed 74-15; proponents said it would replace a shifting property-tax burden with a more stable excise tax so host communities receive lasting benefits. House Bill 2521, concerning firearms background checks, drew the most debate. Amendments to raise the fee cap and to set the fee at zero were both rejected, with opponents arguing the bill would burden constitutional rights and supporters saying the fee should cover the State Patrol’s costs. The bill then passed 53-36. House Bill 2675, the annual accounts bill, passed unanimously 89-0 after brief support from both parties. The House then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Action has immediate consequences for tribal citizens and tribal communities that receive life-saving
• , and protection of tribal-specific program offices are essential for supporting tribal economic growth
• It is important to mention that tribally owned entities under the umbrella of the tribal government are
• in tribal?
• There's no bonafide tribal desk.

Keywords: tribal sovereignty, healthcare, education, public safety, Economic Development, Tax Parity Act, PROTECT Act, trust obligations, bipartisan support, Indian Health Services

Summary: The committee meeting focused on crucial issues facing tribal nations, particularly emphasizing the federal government's trust and treaty obligations. The discussions highlighted ongoing challenges such as disparities in healthcare, education, and public safety within Native communities. Chair Murkowski underscored the importance of listening to Native leaders and aligning congressional efforts with community needs, advocating for legislative actions that support tribal sovereignty and economic development. Various initiatives, including the Tax Parity Act and the PROTECT Act, aimed at addressing jurisdictional and financial disparities, were discussed in detail. A call for bipartisan support to alleviate the funding shortages affecting Indian Health Services was made several times during the meeting. Testimonies from tribal leaders and representatives emphasized the dire need for legislative support to enhance infrastructure, healthcare access, and public safety initiatives in tribal communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Public, non-public, charter, tribal. All the schools are covered, every student is covered.
• charter as well as tribal schools.
• Public, Public, Public, non-public,<00:03:01.520><c> charter,</c><00:03:02.600><c> tribal.
• </c> non-public, charter, tribal. non-public, charter, tribal.
• </c> tribal charter as well as tribal tribal charter as well as tribal schools. schools. schools.

Bills: HF3493, HF4114

Keywords: safe schools, charter schools, nonpublic schools, Tribal education, funding increase, special education, funding, education finance, appropriations, budget, cross subsidy, 1183, house

Bills: SB216, SB225, SB248

Keywords: Native American, language certification, cultural education, appropriation, education funding, tribal liaison, voter education, electoral access, translation services, Indian Affairs, communication, consultation, New Mexico, tribes, federal government, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• engagement with all of our partners, whether they are our American Indian Child Welfare Initiative tribal
• engagement with all of our partners, whether they are our American Indian Child Welfare Initiative tribal
• engagement with all of our partners, whether they are our American Indian Child Welfare Initiative tribal
• engagement with all of our partners, whether they are our American Indian Child Welfare Initiative tribal

Bills: HF1169, HF1916

Keywords: child protection, child welfare, paperwork reduction, social services information system, SSIS, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, foster care, children in placement, county social services, Tribal governments, private child placing agencies, case management, administrative burden, information technology, human services, welfare administration, Minnesota tribes, child care assistance, CCAP, program integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> member of the Minnesota Tribal member of the Minnesota Tribal Collaborative,<00:32:28.960><c> a<
• The staff of the Minnesota Tribal Collaborative will assist tribal staff in reporting and ensure that
• The staff of the Minnesota Tribal Collaborative will assist tribal staff in reporting and ensure that
• will assist tribal staff collaborative will assist tribal staff and<00:35:16.880><c> reporting</c><00
• </c> and have had a presence on tribal lands. and have had a presence on tribal lands.

Bills: HF3403, HF3410, HF3424

Keywords: HF3403, emergency rental assistance, rental aid, homelessness prevention, housing crisis, imminent risk of homelessness, eviction prevention, county aid, Tribal governments, local government aids, general fund appropriation, Minnesota revenue commissioner, poverty level, low-income housing, housing stability, family homeless prevention and assistance, emergency housing assistance, eviction, rent, redemption

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 11 is the Tribal College Supplemental Assistance Grants.
• Line 40 is the Director for Tribal Relations, which is $286,000 in each biennium and remains at the base
• On page 36, Section 16 affects tribal college supplemental grant assistance.
• This expands the program to provide financial assistance to tribal colleges based on beneficiary students
• a public state university, just under $1,500 for a community college student, and only $851 for a tribal

Bills: HF2312

Keywords: higher education, college finance, student aid, financial aid, state grants, North Star Promise, scholarships, tuition relief, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, Office of Higher Education, work-study, child care grants, Indian scholarships, tribal colleges, Hunger-Free Campus, student parents, pregnant students, parenting students, sexual misconduct