Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:25:07.360> as<00:25:07.600> how<00:25:07.799> they<00:25:07.919> meet
• file<00:25:20.559> an<00:25:20.720> attorney<00:25:21.120> general<00:25
• :22.640> we<00:25:22.799> did<00:25:23.039> that<00:25:23.320> the<00:25:
• board<00:25:27.279> build<00:25:27.600> us<00:25:27.799> 4<00:25:28.320>
• take<00:25:32.840> it<00:25:33.080> if<00:25:33.200> we<00:25:33.320>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:49:46.640> our project manager for clarity project our project manager for clarity project
• > every<01:25:45.639> day<01:25:45.800> I'm<01:25:45.920> on<01:25:46.080
• ><01:25:47.440> at<01:25:47.560> the<01:25:47.760> whole<01:25:48.760> but
• > so<01:25:58.040> please<01:25:58.920> um<01:25:59.360> yeah<01:25:59.639
• <02:25:04.000> everything<02:25:04.359> they<02:25:04.520> can<02:25:04.760>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• projects of all modern time.
• The rest of the 25 percent of production will come in the next 20 to 25 years.
• So, two great projects by Continental, a project of Cord, which is the largest project.
• The construction project timeline will show a lot of major milestones on this project, either starting
• If you had appropriated the money for a project and then that project came in at less than expected,

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum and approved the March 18 minutes before hearing a series of informational updates. The Petroleum Council reported that North Dakota oil production is expected to remain relatively flat at just under 1.2 million barrels per day, with activity shifting northward in the Bakken as technology improves and three- and four-mile laterals boost well performance. The presentation also discussed oil and gas prices, gas taxation, flaring concerns, the importance of pipelines and other linear infrastructure, and enhanced oil recovery pilot projects supported by state and federal funding. Members asked questions about gas production taxes, natural gas liquids, and the outlook for drilling rigs and future production. The Office of State Tax Commissioner then reviewed the federal “big beautiful bill” and its estimated effect on North Dakota individual and business income tax collections. Staff explained that most of the individual income tax impact comes from the permanent increase in the standard deduction, while temporary provisions such as senior deductions, tip and overtime exclusions, and auto loan interest deductions have smaller or limited-term effects. They also noted that business tax changes, especially depreciation and expensing provisions, create a larger near-term cash impact, and that some FY25 collections likely reflected one-time oil field transactions that may have inflated the baseline used in earlier estimates. OMB provided updates on major capital projects and facility funding. For Capitol grounds improvements, officials described plans for 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding upgrades, public seating, lighting, tree management, and possible restroom and lobby reconfiguration, while also noting the governor’s residence security project and the discovery of human remains on the Capitol grounds. OMB and its consultants also reported on the state facility maintenance fund, including window replacement, boiler work, roof and foundation repairs, and a new facility conditions assessment covering more state buildings. Updates were also given on the new state hospital in Jamestown, the Minot state office building, and the use of federal state fiscal recovery funds, including possible future reallocations to the Department of Corrections. Finally, Legislative Council staff summarized the interim compliance report on legislative intent and trust fund activity, highlighting the status of lines of credit, Bank of North Dakota profit transfers, the statewide litigation pool, the new Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship, corrections planning, HHS program updates, and a likely future general fund request for the unemployment insurance modernization project. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes; the meeting was primarily informational, with members asking clarifying questions throughout.

Transcript Highlights:

• budget with<00:25:10.640> it<00:25:10.960> and<00:25:11.039> it<00:25:11.120>
• > it<00:25:11.360> shows<00:25:12.000> what's<00:25:12.240> the<00:25:12.480
• :13.679> projected<00:25:14.640> for<00:25:14.880> for<00:25:15.200> state
• ><00:25:15.440> fiscal lapse projected for for state fiscal lapse projected for for state fiscal
• <01:25:35.679> is<01:25:35.920> a<01:25:36.159> human<01:25:36.400> right.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including roll call and approval of the prior meeting minutes, with one member abstaining because of absence and one member opposing. The main informational items were a Department of Health and Human Services update on the rural health transformation grant and a public health briefing on vaccines, followed by a quarterly budget and staffing update and an annual report from the Permanent Subcommittee on Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Related Dementias. Commissioner Lori Weaver reported that the department submitted the rural health transformation grant application on November 4, described it as reflecting input from communities and providers statewide, and said CMS review and budget negotiations would follow before final approval on December 31. She said the grant could support hiring as long as administrative costs stay within the 10% cap, and that the governor’s office will oversee administration with HHS. Ian Watt then testified that New Hampshire remains committed to vaccine access, including through the universal purchase program and annual respiratory virus guidance for flu, RSV, and COVID-19. He said the state continues to use evidence-based review for vaccine policy, noted the CDC’s change regarding the combined MMRV vaccine for the first dose in young children, and said New Hampshire’s school vaccine mandates remain at nine for schoolchildren and 10 for child care, with statutory exemptions still in place. Department staff also said there have been no supply or funding problems affecting childhood vaccine access. Nathan White, the department’s CFO, reviewed the DHHS budget and vacancy trends. He said DHHS makes up a large share of the state budget, that about 31% of its budget is general funds subject to lapse, and that lapse projections are difficult because much of the budget is driven by utilization rather than personnel. He reported current projected general fund lapse of just under $20 million, compared with about $39 million in the statewide surplus statement, and explained that only about a third of DHHS general funds can actually lapse because of statutory restrictions. He also said the department has about 400 unfunded positions, contributing to roughly a $30 million general fund reduction across the biennium, and that the hiring freeze has pushed vacancy trends upward while critical direct-care positions are being prioritized. The Alzheimer’s subcommittee reported six meetings this year, presentations on state services, silver alerts, brain health awareness, and palliative/hospice care, and work toward a new state Alzheimer’s plan. The subcommittee is developing a needs-assessment survey for people living with dementia, caregivers, and service providers, with the goal of using the results and other data sources to inform the plan. Its recommendations focus on integrating Alzheimer’s and dementia materials into chronic disease and aging outreach, embedding brain health into systems of care, adding cognitive health measures to BRFSS, and continuing partnerships with statewide organizations. Members also discussed recent research and prevention efforts, and the committee noted that a separate bill is being pursued to include Alzheimer’s and dementia in existing public health awareness campaigns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Honestly, we had a bunch of different projections there.
• During 24-25, we have been coming out of the public health emergency and we are projecting Medicaid caseloads
• Chip caseloads are projected to increase by 34% in 26 and 4.5%.
• This is why the projection projected utilization.
• So looking at the projected utilization.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first<00:25:18.000> is<00:25:18.320> for<00:25:18.960> relief<00:25:19.559><
• <00:25:24.960> These<00:25:25.200> fund<00:25:25.679> um<00:25:25.840> tree
• They tested<01:25:01.280> keys<01:25:01.760> using<01:25:02.159> a<01:25:02.480>
• think<01:25:09.920> the<01:25:10.159> department<01:25:10.480> thinks<01:25
• :25:18.000> keys<01:25:18.480> the<01:25:19.040> the<01:25:19.440> plating

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:16.320> house<00:25:16.720> and<00:25:16.960> it<00:25:17.200> will
• that<00:25:18.159> that<00:25:18.480> gap<00:25:18.799> for<00:25:18.960> us
• Bottom >> and<00:25:25.440> the<00:25:25.760> third<00:25:26.720> is<00:25
• It is a $75,000<00:25:37.679> grant<00:25:38.080> that<00:25:38.320> will<00:25:
• <00:25:51.679> Yes,<00:25:52.159> that's<00:25:52.400> that's<00:25:52.720><

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > that<00:25:34.080> they<00:25:34.240> put<00:25:34.400> in<00:25:34.799
• > and<00:25:35.120> 25%<00:25:35.840> of investment that they put in and 25% of
• > appreciated<00:25:37.120> value<00:25:37.279> of<00:25:37.440> the<00:25
• This<00:25:47.760> ensures<00:25:48.159> the<00:25:48.320> housing<00:25:48.640>
• Affordable<00:25:51.200> home<00:25:51.360> ownership<00:25:51.840> fuels<00:25:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <03:25:04.319> to<03:25:04.479> get<03:25:04.600> money<03:25:04.920> to<
• <03:25:06.120> core<03:25:06.920> uh<03:25:07.040> I<03:25:07.120> spoke<
• <03:25:08.560> to<03:25:08.680> save<03:25:08.960> him<03:25:09.560> over
• c><03:25:12.120> in<03:25:12.279> motor<03:25:12.560> oal<03:25:12.800> fees<
• :25:16.160> that's<03:25:16.319> that's<03:25:16.439> why<03:25:16.560> the

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up HB 713, which would require mile markers on Route 112, the Kancamagus Highway. The sponsor and DOT testimony described the road as a heavily traveled but isolated corridor with little or no cell or radio service, frequent accidents and breakdowns, and serious public-safety problems when emergency responders cannot quickly locate incidents. Members discussed where markers should be placed, how frequently they should appear, whether both sides of the road should be marked, and the potential cost; DOT said the project could be done with federal funds and might be combined with other work to reduce mobilization costs. The committee agreed the bill was straightforward and voted OTP 18-0, with discussion that a friendly amendment might be offered later to refine the language. The committee then heard HB 563, concerning calculation of adequate education grants. Testimony explained that the bill would add fiscal capacity disparity aid in FY 27 and increase the special education differentiated aid factor, while also reducing extraordinary needs grants so the overall fiscal impact would be net neutral. Members noted the changes were limited to the second year because of the budget process and school district ballot timing. Supporters argued the fiscal capacity aid would help property-poor towns and should be expanded, while others emphasized the bill’s budget-neutral structure. The committee voted to retain HB 563 for further consideration in the budget process. Finally, the committee opened HB 675, which would limit the authority of school districts to make certain appropriations. A Derry resident and former local official testified in favor, arguing that property taxes are too high, that school spending has outpaced town-side tax caps, and that local voters should have more control over school budgets. Committee members questioned whether the issue should instead be handled locally through existing processes or broader governance changes, and one member noted the state’s constitutional obligation to provide an adequate education. The discussion continued, but no final action on HB 675 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• to<00:25:04.320> live<00:25:04.480> their<00:25:04.720> lives<00:25:05.039>
• So,<00:25:07.120> thank<00:25:07.360> you,<00:25:07.520> Chair<00:25:07.760>
• So, thanks<00:25:30.799> for<00:25:30.960> everybody's<00:25:31.360> work<00:25:
• > I<00:25:36.159> have<00:25:36.320> a<00:25:36.480> great<00:25:36.720><
• :25:43.679> or<00:25:44.159> red<00:25:44.559> on<00:25:44.960> a<00:25:45.279

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Uh<00:25:00.159> it<00:25:00.320> it<00:25:00.640> is<00:25:00.799>
• <00:25:09.360> 72<00:25:10.000> hours<00:25:10.400> of<00:25:11.039> no
• There<00:25:20.640> was<00:25:20.799> a<00:25:20.880> there<00:25:21.039> was
• :25:26.960> that<00:25:27.520> is<00:25:28.159> assumed<00:25:28.640> that
• turn<00:25:32.400> back<00:25:32.640> on<00:25:33.200> and<00:25:33.440>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the<01:25:11.840> opposite<01:25:12.480> where<01:25:13.239> they<01:25:
• 25:17.760> out<01:25:18.159> now<01:25:18.480> but<01:25:18.600> we<01:25
• :25:21.800> know<01:25:21.920> a<01:25:22.000> fair<01:25:22.360> plan<01
• /c><01:25:28.040> not<01:25:28.280> yet<01:25:29.199> um<01:25:29.800> but
• and<01:25:30.440> even<01:25:30.800> even<01:25:31.040> if<01:25:31.280>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means and Commerce and Consumer Protection heard the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs present its biennium budget request for fiscal years 2025 to 2027. Director Nainoa Ando said the department’s requests were primarily special-fund ceiling increases to meet operational needs. Major items included an additional $12 million to complete the King Kamehameha V Post Office building roof project after hidden deterioration and water intrusion were discovered, plus funding related to fringe benefits and central services assessments. The department also outlined requests for a new medical compact implementation cost, an auditor position, an engineer position, and a captive insurance IT modernization project. A significant portion of the discussion focused on the Office of Consumer Protection’s landlord-tenant call line and public service access. Senators raised concerns that callers often reach voicemail, are told to leave a message, and sometimes are referred to look up the law themselves. DCCA said the Oʻahu line is staffed by one full-time employee backed by two to three investigators, with one investigator each on Maui and Hawaiʻi Island, and that calls are tracked in a case management system. The department said it plans to add one more Oʻahu staff position through a transfer from another division and that a new call-center/web system with time tracking is expected to go live in the summer. Members also discussed a possible bill related to Pearson VUE nursing certification testing, with one senator describing the burden on neighbor-island nursing graduates who must travel to Honolulu for a one-hour test. The senator said she intended to introduce legislation after receiving no response to repeated outreach. DCCA did not take action on that proposal during the hearing. For the PUC-related requests, the department explained a one-time $1 million request for outside consulting tied to Maui wildfire-related filings, including wildfire safety mitigation and hazard mitigation plans, and a separate $900,000 request through the Consumer Advocacy Division to hire consultants for review and analysis. The committee also discussed a captive insurance IT modernization request, which DCCA said would replace manual and spreadsheet-based processes with a cloud-based system to better handle filings, payments, and workflow; no vote or final action was taken on the budget items during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:20.320> falls<00:25:21.280> and<00:25:21.480> the<00:25:21.600> wind
• When<00:25:31.000> you<00:25:31.160> live<00:25:31.400> in<00:25:31.560> the<
• Earth,<00:25:36.840> air,<00:25:37.760> fire,<00:25:38.840> and<00:25:39.120>
• , when<00:25:48.600> the<00:25:48.720> curtain<00:25:49.360> swells<00:25:50.440
• Without<00:25:53.640> the<00:25:53.760> storms,<00:25:55.080> the<00:25:55.240><

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > to<00:25:04.679> so<00:25:05.679> if<00:25:05.760> it<00:25:05.880> is<
• is intended to<00:25:06.600> mirror<00:25:07.320> then<00:25:07.440> you<00:25:
• :25:09.399> uh<00:25:09.520> Senator<00:25:09.840> Nelson<00:25:10.520> Mr
• c><00:25:11.399> to<00:25:11.640> that<00:25:11.840> then<00:25:12.000> I
• <00:25:12.080> would<00:25:12.279> like<00:25:12.559> to<00:25:13.240> uh

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:03.080> by<00:25:03.279> the<00:25:03.640> district<00:25:04.640>
• 00:25:13.000> the<00:25:13.120> other<00:25:13.320> issue<00:25:13.679> that<
• <00:25:24.520> that's<00:25:24.960> huge<00:25:25.640> and<00:25:25.760> our<
• meet up with<00:25:34.799> buses<00:25:36.039> they<00:25:37.039> they're<00:25:
• we<00:25:39.720> use<00:25:39.960> to<00:25:40.080> try<00:25:40.240> to<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a 300-unit project.
• <00:08:31.919> do area of $150,000 a unit per project do area of $150,000 a unit per project
• concern we don't see these projects concern we don't see these projects really<00:13:00.680>
• developer who's doing a lot of projects developer who's doing a lot of projects some<00:13:37.680
• priorities and preferences for projects priorities and preferences for projects utilizing<00:19:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a series of housing measures focused on streamlining approvals, reshaping financing programs, and expanding affordability requirements. SB 27 would exempt state-financed housing developments from County Council approval; SB 38 would bar county legislative bodies from changing housing proposals in ways that increase project costs; SB 25 would let counties reduce housing capacity in one area only if they offset it elsewhere with no net loss; and SB 379 would require perpetual affordability covenants for HHFDC projects and prohibit affordable housing in special flood hazard areas. SB 378 would create an HHFDC working group to identify mixed-use Maui properties for possible acquisition, SB 414 would authorize condemnation proceedings for a new Lānaʻi access road tied to disaster recovery, and SB 13 would eliminate the state income tax mortgage interest deduction for second homes. Testimony was mixed across the bills, with state agencies and housing advocates generally supporting faster permitting and more production, while county planners, NAIOP, Catholic Charities, and others raised concerns about local control, marketability, financing feasibility, and long-term affordability enforcement. A major portion of the hearing centered on the rental housing revolving fund. SB 70 would limit eligible applicants to government agencies or organizations that reinvest all surplus into additional housing; HHFDC said most developers would not object in principle but questioned how the surplus requirement would be enforced, while NAIOP and Catholic Charities opposed it as too restrictive and difficult to monitor. SB 71 would amend the fund’s preference criteria and eligibility rules, and SB 163 would require HHFDC to prioritize projects with the shortest repayment terms and highest unit production per dollar per year. HHFDC and some advocates supported the goal of faster recycling of funds, but NAIOP and Catholic Charities warned that shorter loan terms and narrowed preferences could burden developers and disincentivize projects, especially for lower-income tenants. The chair indicated SB 163 would be deferred and its concerns folded into amendments to SB 71. In decision-making, the committee voted to pass SB 27, SB 38, SB 70, and SB 71 with amendments, and SB 25 unamended. The chair said SB 27 would be amended to include projects with a state financing commitment and a report note that such projects still undergo 21-38 review; SB 38 would receive technical changes and language preventing county bodies from imposing cost-increasing conditions; SB 70 would add language addressing enforcement of the surplus requirement and a preamble citing the need to recycle taxpayer-financed housing value; and SB 71 would be amended to incorporate concerns raised in SB 163, including a broader preamble and revised priority criteria. SB 163 was deferred, while the other measures on the agenda were heard but no final action was described in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um<00:25:06.480> obviously<00:25:07.279> things<00:25:07.600> have<00:25:07.760>
• a little<00:25:08.480> bit<00:25:08.880> uh<00:25:09.039> since<00:25:09.360>
• <00:25:10.240> Uh<00:25:10.640> but<00:25:11.200> the<00:25:11.600> one
• > and<00:25:24.159> the<00:25:24.240> election<00:25:24.640> Herald<00:25
• We also have the largest infrastructure project in Madisonville's history, with a $25 million sewer upgrade

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:11 Discussion of County Clerks’ Land Records Update 00:02:42 Discussion of Area Development Districts 00:22:48 Discussion of Legislative Measures 00:50:09 Discussion of Local Taxing Sources 01:02:33 Adjournment 01:29:16, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up an update from the Kentucky County Clerks Association on the transition to electronic recording and land records modernization. Testimony explained that legislation from the 2021 task force created funding and deadlines for counties to provide online search portals and complete a 30-year property record search, with a later move to a 60-year standard. Speakers said the money has been awarded to counties, but much of the work is still in progress because records must be scanned, indexed, and manually verified. They said only a handful of counties are fully compliant with electronic recording so far, while many are still working through staffing and vendor issues. They also noted that the 60-year standard may ultimately be easier and more efficient to complete than the 30-year standard, and that compliance is expected to improve by next summer. The clerks’ representatives also raised related issues, including deed fraud, the county document storage fee, and KDLA digitization grants. They said online recording can make deed fraud easier to attempt, so they expect to seek legislation next session to address it. They described an existing notification service available in many counties that alerts property owners when a document is recorded, which can help detect suspicious activity quickly. They also said the storage fee and separate county account structure has generally worked well, but that two recent KDLA grant cycles have not released money for clerks, limiting support for digitization work. Another topic was whether, once records are fully digitized and verified, some permanent records should remain publicly accessible or be moved to a safer archive under KDLA control. Members asked about the balance in the KDLA fund, what the General Assembly could do to help lagging counties, and how much of the $25 million modernization funding had been spent. Witnesses said they did not have the current fund balance but would try to get it, that the main obstacle now appears to be staffing rather than additional money, and that the funds have been awarded but not fully expended because work is still ongoing. They emphasized that counties are helping one another and asked members to alert association leadership if any county is struggling. The committee then heard a presentation from Dan London, executive director of the Lincoln Trail Area Development District, who described area development districts as regional staff extensions and technical resources for cities and counties, and highlighted their role in coordinating regional services and partnerships across county lines.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:29.519> the<00:09:29.680> peas projects the peas projects the peas projects<00:09
• and the scope of projects that they deal with, if that $25 million causes any delays or barriers to
• and the scope of projects that they deal with, if that $25 million causes any delays or barriers to
• and the scope of projects that they deal with, if that $25 million causes any delays or barriers to
• <00:20:41.320> that projects and the scope of projects that projects and the scope of projects

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Capital Project Overview Committee held an organizational meeting. Members elected Rep. Miltz as chair and later nominated Sen. Mark McConkey as vice chair, but that appointment was carried over because he was not present to accept it. Mike Edgar was nominated and accepted as clerk. The committee also adopted its procedures and guidelines, which set deadlines for agencies to submit capital project materials and establish reporting thresholds intended to keep small projects out of the quarterly report. The main discussion centered on the Department of Administrative Services’ quarterly capital budget project report for the quarter ending December 31, 2024. Staff explained that the report compiles statewide capital projects under the committee’s guidelines and includes new projects plus large DOT projects. Several members raised concerns about projects listed as on hold or lacking updates, including the Big E agricultural building rebid, a prison woodworking facility, Pease pier projects, the General Sullivan Bridge removal, Sunapee State Beach parking lot work, and a closed-loop referral contract. Members asked for better status updates, especially on projects with no agency response, and the chair said agencies could be asked to appear before the committee if needed. Members also discussed the governor’s proposal in HB 2 to change the report from quarterly to annual. Several members opposed the change, saying quarterly reporting is more useful for oversight, and suggested the committee ask Finance to remove that section or consider raising the reporting threshold instead. There was also discussion of toll credits, with staff explaining that any other use of toll credits requires committee approval, and of the Department of Corrections’ prison planning funds, including $50 million currently available for site feasibility and design work. The committee agreed to schedule its next meeting for April 14, with June 23 to be revisited later, and then adjourned by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:25:01.600> does<00:25:02.320> um<00:25:02.520> I<00:25:02.600> want
• > weigh<00:25:06.360> in<00:25:06.679> but<00:25:07.200> as<00:25:07.399>
• 25:10.440> routinely<00:25:11.159> will<00:25:11.600> require<00:25:12.600> the
• a huge impact<01:25:01.719> um<01:25:02.000> those<01:25:02.199> dollars<01:25:
• :25:07.760> had happened<01:25:13.400> go<01:25:13.520> to<01:25:13.639> the<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The $8 billion projected ending balance for the 24-25 biennium is robust, but it differs in meaningful
• Projected ending balance in this BRE has a different makeup.
• showing in 24-25 and so the increase funding from 24, 25 to 26, 27 that is shown, it would have been.
• Is that because of projections of potential enrollment?
• Some of the projects have been funded by ARPA.

Keywords: budget, House Bill 1, public education, healthcare, border security, federal funding, spending limits

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on reviewing the proposed budget for the upcoming biennium, with substantial discussions around House Bill 1 and its implications for public education, healthcare, and border security. The Comptroller presented a revenue overview indicating a total of $194.6 billion available for general purpose spending, which reflects a slight decrease compared to previous years due to fluctuating economic conditions. Members raised questions regarding spending limits and the impact of federal funding on state programs, highlighting concerns about the sustainability of funding in light of potential changes at the federal level.