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

Summary: The committee took up six House bills for public hearing, with staff explaining each measure and sponsors describing their purposes. ESHB 2238 on statewide food security was presented as a broad strategy for WSDA to coordinate food access, agricultural viability, and supply chain resilience, including annual data monitoring and reporting on regulatory costs; supporters from agriculture, food banks, school nutrition, counties, and advocacy groups said it would improve coordination and strengthen the food system, while some asked for broader representation in the advisory process. HB 2199 would expand the derelict vessel removal program by broadening the definition of derelict vessel and allowing earlier intervention on unregistered or hazardous vessels; ports, local officials, and environmental advocates supported it as a way to reduce pollution, safety risks, and cleanup costs. HB 2104 would remove the sunset from the Aviation Assurance Funding Program for wildland fire response, and the sponsor and fire officials said the program has been effective at enabling rapid initial attack and preventing more expensive state mobilization. HB 2554 would repeal statutory language from Initiative 456 relating to treaty fishing rights; the sponsor, Attorney General’s Office, and Department of Fish and Wildlife supported repeal as removing unconstitutional and unenforceable provisions and correcting a historical wrong. HB 2619 would create a legislative task force to review regulatory stressors in agriculture and recommend changes, with the sponsor tying it to agricultural mental health and suicide prevention; no public testimony was offered. HB 2343 would require permits and water-quality controls for publicly owned game farms, with staff noting it appears to apply to a Fish and Wildlife facility and that the fiscal note estimates about $13,000 annually for compliance. Public testimony was overwhelmingly supportive on the bills that drew testimony, and the chair announced all six bills would be listed for possible executive session at the committee’s next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• One was an FTE for an exhibition preparator position, and then the other one was for an FTE tribal liaison
• You'll also see $390,000 for compliance with NAGPRA.
• But as we move forward, on line 19, page 2, the repatriation compliance costs of $100,000—those are $100,000
• 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.

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

Summary: The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held its final meeting of the 2026 session, first briefing several bills before taking executive action on most of them. Staff summarized House Bill 2104 on aviation assurances for wildland fire response, Substitute House Bill 2199 on derelict vessels, House Bill 2223 on irrigation district director spouse employment, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2238 on statewide food security, Substitute House Bill 2343 on water quality and game farms, House Bill 2348 on timber sales efficiencies, House Bill 2554 on treaty reserve fishing rights, and House Bill 2619 creating a task force on reducing regulatory stress in agriculture. The committee also noted fiscal impacts where applicable and that several bills had passed the House with strong bipartisan support. No amendments were offered on most of the bills, though HB 2223 had a proposed amendment limiting the exemption to smaller irrigation districts. In executive session, the committee voted to advance HB 2104 to Ways and Means, SHB 2199 to Rules, ESHB 2238 to Ways and Means, HB 2348 to Rules, HB 2554 to Rules, and HB 2619 to Rules. The committee took no action on HB 2223 or SHB 2343. Members briefly thanked committee staff and acknowledged the contributions of Senators Shewmake and Saldaña as they concluded their service on the committee. The committee then held a work session with the Washington State Department of Agriculture on the local farms, workers, and food grant proviso. WSDA described its one-time overtime reimbursement grant for eligible vegetable farms, saying 24 farms received about $213,000 total and that the agency used targeted outreach, cross-agency coordination, and a simplified application process to administer the program. Members asked about lessons learned and whether the approach could inform future grant programs; WSDA said the experience reinforced the value of targeted outreach, clearer eligibility data, and streamlined administration. The meeting ended with adjournment for the 2026 session.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:39.280><c> governments</c> actually allows for tribal governments actually allows for tribal
• </c><00:05:15.600><c> and</c> tribal governments and um and tribal governments and um and development
• We do have tribal there as well.
• </c><00:07:11.840><c> um</c><00:07:12.000><c> tribal</c> projects to um tribal um tribal projects to
• um tribal um tribal governments<00:07:13.120><c> as</c><00:07:13.440><c> a</c><00:07:13.599><c> part<

Bills: HF3884, HF3881, HF3882, HF3883, HF3363, HF3362

Keywords: tribal governments, Metropolitan Council, grant programs, funding, local government, small business, contracting, veteran-owned businesses, compliance, government contracts, housing finance, reporting requirements, regional development, city programs, elected officials, campaign access, multiple unit dwellings, residential access, voter registration, 1183

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a very important bill for the welfare of our tribal nations. Thank you.
• This is a very important bill for the welfare of our tribal nations. Thank you. Our tribal nation.
• We need more tribal liaisons. So thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• We need more tribal liaisons. So thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• affiliation, our tribal department that's there within CYFD.

Bills: SB201, SB226, SB242, SB249

Keywords: rural libraries, education, cultural funding, library services, community resources, contaminated sites, environmental cleanup, uranium mining, state funding, abandoned sites, tribal affairs, Indian Child Welfare Act, appropriation, children, youth, compliance, field liaison, Indigenous rights, missing persons, law enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• Welfare Act was set into law in 1978, and it addressed the placement of Indian children into non-tribal
• communities, our tribal DFS, and other workers.
• </c><00:03:44.480><c> family</c> potentially outside of a tribal family potentially outside of a tribal
• I'm the tribal liaison to the Eastern Shoshone tribe out of Governor Mark Gordon's office.
• Also, this was a topic in our state tribal relations committee meeting.

Bills: SF0058, SF0061, SF0095, SF0107

Keywords: Indian child welfare, tribal relations, sunset repeal, Wyoming law, child custody, sales tax, motor vehicle, family transfer, tax exemption, Wyoming legislation, driver's license, motor vehicle services, third-party providers, Wyoming, regulatory compliance, registration, license plate, electronic system, State Department of Transportation, county treasurers

Bills: SF0058, SF0061, SF0095, SF0107

Keywords: Indian child welfare, tribal relations, sunset repeal, Wyoming law, child custody, sales tax, motor vehicle, family transfer, tax exemption, Wyoming legislation, driver's license, motor vehicle services, third-party providers, Wyoming, regulatory compliance, registration, license plate, electronic system, State Department of Transportation, county treasurers

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><00:05:01.160><c> with</c><00:05:01.479><c> procurement</c> uh compliance with procurement uh compliance
• </c> bayum for more staff uh for compliance bayum for more staff uh for compliance um<00:28:07.399><c
• </c> wants two more FTE just for compliance wants two more FTE just for compliance and<00:28:12.440><
• 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

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:

• So it's just pre-funding those non-tribal expenses.
• Is that the fund that also supports local municipalities as well as tribal government?

Bills: SB152, SB145, SB190, HB247

Keywords: telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion, rural internet, broadband infrastructure, eligible telecommunications carrier, ETC, tribal consent

Transcript Highlights:

• Another... let me ask you some questions on page 32, line 5, tribal consent.
• So if someone does... ...are you required to have tribal consent before you give them a Starlink?
• So, Chairman and Senator, mostly that's correct for the federal compliance piece.
• That's all part of the federal compliance laws. It's all here.
• Anything over a million dollars has to be audited for federal compliance.

Bills: SB152, SB145, SB190, HB247

Keywords: telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion, rural internet, broadband infrastructure, eligible telecommunications carrier, ETC, tribal consent

Transcript Highlights:

• Otherwise, the section addresses reciprocity of tribal medical patients in current law.
• </c> also incorporates Reciprocity for tribal also incorporates Reciprocity for tribal medical<00:03:
• </c> section addresses reciprocity of tribal section addresses reciprocity of tribal medical<00:04:34.400
• </c> incorporates Reciprocity for tribal incorporates Reciprocity for tribal medical<00:12:03.240><c>
• </c> board both state lies and uh tribal board both state lies and uh tribal operators<00:42:07.839><

Bills: HF1672, HF1877, HF1735, HF1734, HF1271, HF1634, HF1615

Keywords: medical cannabis, medical marijuana, cannabis, cannabinoids, hemp, marijuana registry, patient registry, visiting patient, Tribal cannabis, Tribal medical cannabis program, Tribal sovereignty, Office of Cannabis Management, designated caregiver, home cultivation, adult-use cannabis, cannabis flower, cannabis products, dispensary, cannabis retail endorsement, patient protections

Transcript Highlights:

• In Section 7, this is where we did incorporate Senator Shendo's concerns in relation to tribal child
• care centers, and more specifically focused on ensuring that tribal child care centers retain their ability
• department for services, because tribal departments also receive federal dollars to provide services
• refer at-risk children, home visiting, and family infant toddler programs of the department and of tribal
• these intervention services, they're eligible for both if they happen to be a child care provider on tribal

Bills: SB241, SB145

Keywords: child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Transcript Highlights:

• the Chair or the sponsor about amendments, but I'd like to have that conversation with regard to tribal
• And after that, department or tribally based entity facility or premise that is registered with the New
• Next paragraph, number 4, at the end of that sentence, or of a tribal department, we need line 16 on
• , or for tribal entities in intergovernment agreements, you know, in education, so forth.
• You are binding every single tribal entity who participates to all of this.

Bills: SB241, SB145

Keywords: child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

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
• </c> religious school or a tribally religious school or a tribally affiliated<01:06:24.319><c> school
• However, we have an managing compliance.

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:

• </c><00:21:34.400><c> So,</c> That the business is in compliance.
• , and that we can get a report on what kind of compliance checks they're doing.
• And so these age verifications or age compliance checks are just like what we would do for tobacco or
• , and that we can get a report on what kind of compliance checks they're doing.
• These age verifications or age compliance checks are just like what we would do for tobacco or alcohol

Bills: HF4348, HF4186, HF4202, HF4455, HF3884, HF3883, HF3882, HF3881, HF2688, HF3295, HF3862, HF3362, HF4242, HF3798

Keywords: HF4186, Minnesota local government finance, housing and redevelopment authority, HRA, public investment authority, qualifying government, State Board of Investment, SBI, index mutual fund, multifamily housing development, long-term equity investment, investment-grade fixed income, federally insured securities, government-sponsored entities, municipal investing, local government investments, housing finance, public funds, investment policy, risk of loss

Transcript Highlights:

• More specifically, it will help address those cleanup needs on or near tribal lands, which help improve
• These abandoned sites have affected so many lives across rural and tribal communities.
• Act and the Indian Family Protection Act, which requires active efforts and culturally appropriate tribal-based
• Act in the Indian Family Protection Act, which requires active efforts and culturally appropriate tribal-based
• payments to qualified land grants, which are political subdivisions of the state, if they're in compliance

Bills: SB241, SB145, HB2

Keywords: child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Transcript Highlights:

• So there's enormous amount of time and money that goes into compliance.
• Obviously I would seek counsel to make sure that I'm in compliance with my statutory obligations.
• Does the current compliance regime that was implemented make sense?
• nations, including establishing the Treasury Tribal Advisory Committee and the Tribal Affairs Office
• 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