Video & Transcript Research : 'dependent coverage'
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NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate Chamber Jan 29th, 2026 at 11:10 am
New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 154, a bill enacting a new section of the New Mexico Insurance Code to require that coverage
- for loss from a wildfire include coverage for loss from related flood damage.
- And then, depending on how that goes, then I'll go back to Senator Scott for his motion.
- to read Senate Bill 189, introduced by Senator Bergman, an act relating to insurance, requiring coverage
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Eric Kim said another report he provided to the committee was the current ratings and analytical coverage
- team that is responsible for coverage team that is responsible for being<00:12:39.560>
the <00 - 45.839>
ratings <00:13:46.160>and <00:13:46.440>analytical <00:13:47.079>coverage - current ratings and analytical coverage current ratings and analytical coverage report<00:13:48.240
- So that's essentially health care for retirees and dependents.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture - 03/10/2026
Agriculture
Transcript Highlights:
- It's not something that depends on passing a farm bill to be funded. So that's also good news.
- We're finding some challenges with the Dairy Margin Coverage Program, very important for our dairy farmers
Summary:
The Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture first moved through a series of animal welfare bills, reporting all of them to the floor. The measures included bills on sentencing for aggravated cruelty to animals, additional aggravated cruelty provisions, penalties for animal abandonment, requiring owners or lessors of vacated properties to inspect for abandoned animals, and restricting surgical depopulation procedures on dogs and pets. Members generally expressed support, and each bill advanced by motion and voice vote with no noted opposition or recusals; one additional bill was held by the sponsor.
The committee then heard from Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball, who gave an update on state and federal agriculture issues. He discussed the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center, federal farm bill negotiations, specialty crops, labor and H-2A reform, dairy margin coverage concerns, possible cuts to EQIP, organic certification funding, trade and USMCA review, tariffs and input costs, and disaster concerns affecting Long Island seafood producers. He also highlighted state programs such as Nourish New York, Dairy Modernization, farm-to-school efforts, and workforce development initiatives.
Members asked questions about raw milk sales, H-2A labor, solar siting on farmland, farm-to-school expansion, tariff impacts, and support for farmers facing federal cuts and rising costs. Ball said raw milk sales remain limited to licensed on-farm sales with inspections and warnings, supported reform of H-2A and broader labor policy, urged protecting prime and actively farmed land from solar development, and emphasized the need to preserve food access programs like Nourish New York and farmers market nutrition benefits. The meeting ended after the commissioner’s testimony and member discussion, with no further formal action beyond the earlier bill reports.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband May 2nd, 2025
S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband
Transcript Highlights:
- Talk a little bit about what we aim to achieve there, the coverage of that project, and it's a pilot
- customers cut their cables and move to streaming, you'll be losing that franchise revenue that the cities depend
Keywords:
broadband, internet access, digital equity, tax reduction, government funding, rural counties, fiber-optic, state funding, infrastructure, digital divide, economic development, fiber-optic cable, excavation, utilities, civil penalties, municipal regulations, video services, regulation, public right-of-way, franchise authority
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Because rail trails depend on them to be doing the work.
- > them<02:38:15.040>
to <02:38:15.200>be <02:38:15.359>doing Real Trails depend - on them to be doing Real Trails depend on them to be doing the<02:38:15.840>
work. - Um, bicycles reduce a lot of dependence on fossil fuel emissions and they're very efficient.
- An antique vehicle, which would be a 2000 or older, depending on where it falls, can apply for a title
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 19, 2025 - 10:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- The division provides coverages to 55 entities.
- The division provides coverages to 55 entities.
- cancer coverage.
- And then any other specialized coverages the agencies might need, like road and bridge coverage or aircraft
- coverage, that type of thing, typically the agencies have to go through DMS for those coverages.
Summary:
The subcommittee heard presentations from the Department of Financial Services and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, then returned to its ongoing budget workshop with the Department of Management Services. DFS’s Division of Risk Management described its role as the state self-insurance fund, covering about 200,000 employees and 27,000 vehicles, paying roughly $150 million in claims last year, and managing a pilot ETS treatment program for veterans and first responders that had 49 patients and 804 treatments as of the latest report. The Division of State Fire Marshal outlined its fire prevention, training, emergency response, and grant programs, including hurricane deployments, the Florida State Fire College, and several capital and grant requests for roof, courtyard, memorial, and equipment needs. The Division of Rehabilitation and Liquidation explained how it handles insolvent insurers under Chapter 631, currently administering 14 estates with $1.2 billion in assets and $3.7 billion in liabilities, and said no new receiverships had been opened since February 2023. Members asked about grant backlogs, fire truck procurement delays, memorial repairs, and whether affiliate transfers were occurring in insurer liquidations.
Secretary Griffin then updated the committee on DBPR’s implementation of House Bill 1021 on community associations. He said the department had used the new authority to expand education, complaint handling, and ombudsman services, including 10 free standardized courses, a new condo website, and a four-hour board certification course that had already drawn more than 12,000 attendees. He reported that outreach to condominium communities had increased by more than 60%, that complaint filings were up 39% while jurisdictional dismissals dropped to 11%, and that about 81% to 82% of the 65 new positions had been filled. Members pressed him on whether the department had enough authority and funding, how condominium counts are determined, how self-reported structural integrity reserve study data is verified, and whether more public-facing complaint tracking and better reporting from local governments or developers would improve the system.
The committee then resumed questioning Secretary Allende of DMS about outstanding budget and operations issues. Members focused on the delayed People First contract extension required by statute, with the secretary saying the delay involved technical and contractual complexity in moving a legacy hard-coded system to the cloud. They also revisited the state data team and data catalog project, asking why a statutory 2022 deadline had not been met, how the four-person team and broader data staff were organized, how many applicants were considered for key positions, and what each role was doing. The secretary said the catalog work was being simplified into six metadata fields and supported by a broader community of practice, but no firm completion date was given during the exchange.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration (01/30/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- It seems that the ophthalmologists are doing a good job of getting increased service and coverage up
- up in the north country and and coverage up in the north country and the<00:05:57.520>
optometrist - If I was to add a dependent, you would be paying $1,444 a month for that dependent.
- $1,444 cents a month for that dependent $1,444 cents a month for that dependent if<05:04:20.360>
- <05:04:27.000>
you but if you had only one dependent you but if you had only one dependent
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 622, but after the sponsor said further research raised concerns, he asked that the bill be tabled. The committee then moved in executive session and voted unanimously to find the bill inexpedient to legislate, sending it to consent. The committee also retained House Bill 349, the ophthalmologic laser bill, after members said more time was needed for the professions involved to work out training standards and provide additional information; that motion also passed unanimously.
The committee then discussed House Bill 244, a municipal building/fire code recodification measure. Members said the bill needed more review and careful scrutiny because of its length and possible unintended effects, and they voted unanimously to retain it as well. House Bill 534 was then heard; the sponsor said the bill did not do what was intended because of a misunderstanding about current processing, and the committee voted inexpedient to legislate and placed it on consent.
The committee next considered House Bill 233, with an amendment to remove a requirement affecting the New Hampshire Vaccine Association. Supporters argued the bill would reduce an unnecessary burden and improve transparency, while opponents said the committee should not single out one private 501(c)(3) organization. The amendment was adopted 8-5, and the bill as amended then passed 7-6; a minority report was requested. Finally, the committee opened House Bill 536, a proposed 1.5% cost-of-living adjustment for certain state retirees. The sponsor and supporters argued retirees had not received adequate COLAs and that the bill would help offset inflation, while the retirement system testified that the proposal would add significant costs, including an estimated $1.5 million for the state, $6.6 million for political subdivisions, and about $100.7 million in present-value unfunded liability, with the impact reflected in future employer contribution rates.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 4/9/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- access to comprehensive health coverage access to comprehensive health coverage under<00:41:49.440
- The lives of the individuals who depend on these services are at stake.
- All of them depend on Open Arms because they are too sick to shop or cook for themselves.
- All of them depend on Open Arms because they are too sick to shop or cook for themselves.
- All of them depend on Open Arms because they are too sick to shop or cook for themselves.
Bills:
HF2434
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Closed hearings to examine the posture of United States Indo-Pacific Command and United States Forces Korea in review of the Defense Authorization Request for fiscal year 2026 and the Future Years Defense Program; to be immediately followed by an ope Apr 10th, 2025 at 07:00 am
Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel
Transcript Highlights:
- lives and this is this is you as a function of freedom. of navigation, it's a function of the world dependency
- Our deterrence depends not just on our warfighting capability, but also on the ability to sustain our
- and the democratic process is playing out but we expect an election and are there concerns that depending
- And the dependence we have on other nations hosting our forces. allowing operations from their land.
- We depend on you. We need you all to do your work well.
Keywords:
Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. military strategy, China military drills, Taiwan, Philippines, North Korea, defense budget, military modernization
Summary:
The meeting focused on significant strategic discussions regarding the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and its military posture in the region. Admiral Paparo and General Brunson were commended for their services, with the Chair noting an alarming shift in the balance of power towards China. Key topics included China's aggressive military drills near Taiwan, the increasing coercion against the Philippines, and the need for the U.S. to reaffirm its commitments to its allies in the region. Concerns were raised regarding China's military modernization and its implications for U.S. forces, alongside discussions on North Korea's threats and its burgeoning nuclear capabilities. The committee emphasized the urgent need for military and defense appropriations to counteract these growing security challenges.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nominations of Stephen Vaden, of Tennessee, to be Deputy Secretary, and Tyler Clarkson, of Virginia, to be General Counsel, both of the Department of Agriculture. Apr 8th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- So I'm depending on the Ag Committee to do this.
- To make it more affordable, both at the enterprise level and with the supplemental coverage option.
- Especially farmers and ranchers who depend on these programs and, you know, these food programs that
- I'll also note though that my farmers and ranchers depend upon certain pesticides and fertilizers and
- You said it depends on how long. They're dealing with this issue right now.
Keywords:
USDA, nominations, Judge Vaden, Tyler Clarkson, agriculture policy, rural America, tariffs, farmer advocacy
Summary:
The meeting focused on the nominations of Judge Stephen Alexander Vaden for Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and Mr. Tyler Clarkson for General Counsel at the USDA. Members expressed concerns regarding the challenges farmers and ranchers face, especially in navigating the impacts of recent tariffs imposed by the President. Significant attention was given to how these nominations could influence agriculture policy and support rural communities amidst economic uncertainty. The committee emphasized the necessity for strong leadership in the USDA to advocate for farmer needs and ensure the proper implementation of assistance programs.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- This is a bill designed to remove circumcision from Medicaid coverage in New Hampshire.
- The bill's opponents have cited a cost of $200 to $400 per dose depending on the vaccine.
- The bill's opponents have cited a cost of $200 to $400 per dose depending on the vaccine.
- The claim that any child would have any less vaccine coverage is patently false.
- The claim that any child would have any less vaccine coverage is patently false.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Banking & Insurance (3-5-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- But he talked to me too that he'd had a couple come to his agency seeking insurance coverage, and they
- could not find insurance coverage for him, which means that they can't get their dealer license, which
- But he talked to me too that he'd had a couple come to his agency seeking insurance coverage, and they
- But he talked to me too that he'd had a couple come to his agency seeking insurance coverage, and they
- But he talked to me too that he'd had a couple come to his agency seeking insurance coverage, and they
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00
Roll Call: 00:20
SB18 Discussion: 01:36
SB18 Vote: 05:07
SB24 Discussion: 06:37
SB24 Vote: 10:50
HB524 Discussion: 12:03
HB524 Vote: 13:55
HB421 Discussion: 15:13
HB421 Vote: 20:50
HB236 Discussion: 21:53
HB236 Vote: 23:34
HB210 Discussion: 25:40
HB210 Vote: 29:56, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum and took up several insurance and health-related bills, beginning with Senate Bill 18, which was presented by Senator Girdler and insurance witness Adam Sheridan. The bill was described as addressing a shortage of garage liability insurance for used auto dealers in Kentucky, which has left many small dealers with only one or two coverage options and, in some cases, unable to obtain the insurance needed for a dealer license. The committee adopted a motion and second, then passed SB 18 unanimously and reported it favorably with the recommendation that it pass on the House floor.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 24, also presented by Senator Girdler with testimony from Eric DeCampo of the National Insurance Crime Bureau. The bill was framed as an anti-fraud measure that would expand the definition of a fraudulent insurance act to cover misrepresentations about property damage and repair costs in property insurance claims. Testimony emphasized that insurance fraud raises premiums for consumers and that the bill would help deter inflated or fabricated claims. After a brief question about whether the bill created new felonies, the committee voted to pass SB 24 unanimously and report it favorably.
House Bill 524, presented by Rep. Aaron Thompson with officials from the Office of the Controller and State Risk, would extend reinsurance requirements for the state’s fire and tornado/self-insurance fund from July 1 of this year to July 1, 2030, and rename the fund the Commonwealth’s Property and Casualty Insurance Fund. The bill was moved, seconded, and passed unanimously. House Bill 421, presented by Rep. Amy Neighbors, would require full coverage of FDA-approved bowel preps without out-of-pocket cost or prior authorization issues and update colorectal cancer screening coverage rules for high-risk patients by incorporating multisociety task force guidelines. Members discussed the bill’s personal importance and its minimal fiscal impact; it passed unanimously with a committee substitute. House Bill 236, presented by Rep. Adam Moore and Commissioner Sharon Clark, would cap annual out-of-pocket costs for epinephrine at $100. Members spoke in support, including personal remarks about the importance of access to epinephrine, and the bill passed unanimously with a favorable recommendation.
Finally, House Bill 210, presented by Rep. Michael “Sarge” Pollock and Dr. Steve Robertson of the Kentucky Dental Association, addressed dental limited benefit plans and direct payment to dentists. Members asked whether the bill also affected vision/hearing arrangements or third-party administrators; the witness said it was intended for non-ERISA dental plans in Kentucky and suggested follow-up with the commissioner for further clarification. The committee adopted the committee substitute and then passed HB 210 favorably, with 15 yes votes and no votes against. The meeting then adjourned, with a reminder about the Banking and Insurance dinner later that evening.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 24, 2026 - 03:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- treat any disease, which is largely unproven. inadequate education and training and no insurance coverage
- Medically technology G technologically Sorry, dependent children by Representative Oliver.
- complex children's homes as a new family-centered residential option for medically or technologically dependent
- effects of PTSD, improving sleep, and reducing the most important part of this is reducing the dependency
- One in 27 depending on the study. And this is devastating for them.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS Senate Floor - 4 March, 2026; 10:00 AM
Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- on the age of the the child or depending on the age of the the child or or<00:56:39.880>
whatever - for biomarker testing. >> House Bill 565, health benefit plans and Medicaid required to offer coverage
- <01:17:15.120>
for Medicaid required to offer coverage for Medicaid required to offer coverage - Depending on a judge, a finding of their trafficking, and it was direct result. Okay. Thank you.
- on what's the definition of depends on what's the definition of fair.<02:18:02.320>
But <02:18
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with an invocation by Reverend Austin Warren of Alcorn State University, and then dispensed with the reading of the journal, committee reports, and bill titles. The chamber also heard a series of guest introductions, including representatives from the Council of State Governments, local visitors, students from Tupelo High School and First Presbyterian Day School, a doctor of the day, family members honoring a fallen highway patrol officer, forestry groups, and other guests in the galleries.
The Senate then took up several calendar items. It passed House Bill 1648, the budget transfer bill, after a strike-all amendment and use of the morning roll call. It also advanced House Bill 1230 on distinctive motor vehicle tags and House Bill 1330 on local option alcoholic beverage control/resort area definitions, both with strike-all amendments and morning roll call passage. House Bill 750, the SMART Act extending a tax credit program that supports research partnerships between businesses and higher education institutions, was also passed by morning roll call. Later, House Bill 1761 relating to festival wine permits was amended with a strike-all and passed, and Senate Bill 3230 was taken up under suspension of the rules and passed to authorize Greenwood Leflore Hospital’s board to seek Chapter 9 debt relief.
The chamber also adopted Senate Resolution 52 recognizing Mississippi Alpha Network/Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity on its 55th anniversary, and Senate Resolution 32 commending the Simpson Academy Lady Cougars softball team and Coach Matt Harrison for winning the MAIS 4A Division 1 State Softball Championship. Representatives of both groups addressed the Senate briefly, emphasizing service, community involvement, and the teams’ accomplishments. The Senate granted immediate release for the hospital bill and continued to pass or retain several other items on the calendar.
Near the end of the transcript, the Senate began consideration of House Bill 1577 on false child abuse reports. Senator Fillingane explained a strike-all amendment that would make knowingly false reports a misdemeanor, with penalties including fines, jail time, and restitution, while preserving protections for good-faith reporting. Senators Seymour and Hopson asked questions about the bill’s criminal classification and burden of proof, and discussion was underway when the transcript ended.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 03/12/25
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Given the outsize impact that Medicaid has on the state in terms of providing coverage for 1.2 million
- Depending on what happens, we may need to respond as a state if there are cuts to Medicaid.
- <00:21:10.799>
for <00:21:10.960>1.2 in terms of providing coverage for 1.2 in terms - of providing coverage for 1.2 million<00:21:11.840>
people <00:21:12.200>for <00:21:12.960 - because um depending on what happens<00:21:31.240>
we <00:21:31.360>may <00:21:31.480><
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- In large part, they were not funded, they were not staffed, sometimes for political reasons, depending
- on how they were stood up uh a depending on how they were stood up uh a lot<00:08:19.560>
of < - All of our meetings are open, and we often have guests at our meetings also, depending on the topic.
- The bill is cleverly crafted in that sense, where it talks about coverage for athletic events, so it
- Yeah, that's all I've got, thank you. extensive coverage starts to happen as extensive coverage starts
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Ways and Means (01/14/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- on what data was earlier depending on what data was available<00:12:11.920>
as <00:12:12.040>< - We have a very different story on inflation depending on what you're focusing on.
- We have a very different story on inflation depending on what you're focusing on.
- We have a very different story on inflation depending on what you're focusing on.
- We are a small part of the national economy, about 5 to 7%, depending on how you measure it.
Summary:
The meeting was a Ways and Means briefing opened by the vice chair, who introduced Jason Wong of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston to discuss the national and regional economy. Wong focused on inflation, asking why it had fallen from about 9% in 2022 to the 2%–3% range, and what that meant for monetary policy and the risk of an economic downturn. He said the Fed’s target is 2%, noted that recent PCE inflation was about 2.4% and core PCE about 2.7%, and described the ongoing debate over whether interest rates should stay tight or be lowered further to protect the labor market.
Wong explained that the improvement in inflation has been driven largely by goods prices, especially durable goods such as cars, appliances, and furniture, as well as non-durable goods like food. He said supply-chain disruptions during the pandemic caused major price spikes in 2022, but those pressures have eased and many goods prices are now at or below the Fed’s target. He also referenced the New York Fed’s Global Supply Chain Pressure Index, saying it showed extreme pandemic-era disruptions that have since receded.
The main remaining inflation problem, he said, is in services, especially housing. Wong broke services into rent of shelter and all other services, explaining that shelter is a large share of household budgets and that housing inflation has a lag because rent measures often reflect older lease terms rather than current market rents. He said monthly Zillow data suggest market rents have cooled and may eventually feed through to official inflation measures. Members asked several questions about the chart’s time scale, the treatment of real estate, property taxes, and utilities, and Wong clarified that housing costs are counted in services and that the slides would be shared digitally. No votes or formal actions were taken.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Aug 21st, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It threatens coverage for 3 million Californians, puts our seniors at risk, and sends rural hospitals
- How over 3 million Californians could lose their Medi-Cal coverage under the new Republican provisions
- How over 3 million Californians could lose their Medi-Cal coverage under the new Republican provisions
- that were not enough, he's also pushing to cancel mail-in ballots, silencing millions of voters who depend
- nearly a trillion dollars from Medicaid to pay for tax breaks for billionaires, putting Medi-Cal coverage
Summary:
The Assembly met after a quorum call, recess, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved into a highly procedural and contentious floor session centered on redistricting measures. Members debated a point of order raised by Assembly Member DeMaio challenging the constitutionality of SB 280, ACA 8, and AB 604; the Speaker ruled the point not well taken, and the Assembly sustained that ruling on appeal. The body also took up consent-calendar and procedural motions, including suspending rules to adopt late amendments on ACA 8 and to bring the measure up without reference to file. Several motions to re-refer or suspend rules on related measures failed, while the motion to adopt the late amendments on ACA 8 carried.
The main substantive item was ACA 8, the Assembly Constitutional Amendment related to redistricting, presented by Assembly Member Berman as a response to mid-decade redistricting efforts in other states, especially Texas. Supporters argued the measure was a temporary, voter-driven response to protect democracy, counter partisan gerrymandering, and address broader threats tied to the Trump administration, including immigration enforcement and health care cuts. Opponents argued ACA 8 would undermine California’s independent citizens redistricting commission, violate the state Constitution, and amount to partisan gerrymandering or a power grab. Members on both sides framed the issue as a defense of democracy, but disagreed sharply over whether the Legislature should act or leave redistricting to voters and the existing commission.
No final vote on ACA 8 is shown in the transcript excerpt, but the Assembly did vote on several procedural matters: the appeal of the Speaker’s ruling was sustained 58-18; the motion to adopt late amendments on ACA 8 passed 58-19; a motion to re-refer ACA 8 and SB 280 to Judiciary failed 19-58; and a motion to take up A.J.R. 21 without reference to file failed 19-58. The session remained focused on ACA 8 and related redistricting questions, with extensive floor speeches from both supporters and opponents.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Water Topics Overview Committee Jun 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It may take longer depending on the scope of the project.
- Yes, Chairman Swiontek, Representative Ruby, the preferred options, so depending on the tradeoffs and
- That depends on the data that we've used here, which is based on what's reported to us by the systems
- Net operating coverage, so whatever they're pledging that they're going to be able to Repay this has
- From there to calculate the coverage, we take that adjusted net operating revenue, divide that by the
Summary:
The Water Topics Overview Committee met to receive interim status updates on several water-related studies and Department of Water Resources projects. The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes, observed a moment of silence for the late Representative Conmy, and then heard updates on the watershed management study and the stormwater/wastewater study. Staff reported that the committee had already received the testimony contemplated in the study plans, including input from state agencies, local governments, and out-of-state entities, and that any further action would be at the committee’s discretion.
The Department of Water Resources then provided project and budget updates on NAWS and the Southwest Pipeline Project. Reese reported NAWS is expected to serve about 81,000 users, with a total projected cost of about $571 million and about $96 million remaining, while the Southwest Pipeline Project is estimated at $1.06 billion total with about $409 million remaining. Members asked about funding sources, capacity needs, and whether current and future construction is being designed for increased demand; department staff said current work is designed for ultimate capacity, but some future components may need redesign based on new requests. The committee also discussed local cost shares, Minot’s role in NAWS funding, and whether the system is adequate for peak demand.
A major portion of the meeting focused on the department’s cash management, carryover, and long-term water funding outlook. The department said Resources Trust Fund revenues are tied to oil extraction taxes and are affected by stripper well exemptions and future oil price declines. Members expressed concern about large carryover balances and whether the state is obligating more money than can realistically be spent in a biennium. The department reported about $340.6 million in remaining carryover and said it is trying to reduce that through a two-tier pre-construction/construction process and closer project vetting.
The department also summarized the Deloitte studies on regional governance and finance and on cost-share policy. Stakeholders generally favored keeping the current governance structures for NAWS and Southwest with improvements, while Red River stakeholders leaned toward a different option; the department said it will bring an implementation plan back in September. On cost share, Deloitte’s recommendations would reduce some percentages, prioritize projects differently, and use other measures to close a projected long-term funding gap. Members debated affordability, local burden, deferred maintenance, and whether statutory changes may be needed to allow the commission more flexibility in prioritizing and funding projects. No formal votes or final actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the updates.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Water Topics Overview Committee Jun 10th, 2026
Water Topics Overview Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- It may take longer depending on the scope of the project.
- What we're seeing here for a closed-loop system is very variable depending on the size and scale of the
- Yes, Chairman Swiontek, Representative Ruby, the preferred options, so depending on the tradeoffs and
- That depends on the data that we've used here is based on what's reported to us by the systems.
- Net operating coverage means whatever they're pledging that they're going to be able to repay has to
Summary:
The Water Topics Overview Committee met to review several interim studies and receive updates from the Department of Water Resources. The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes, observed a moment of silence for the late Representative Conmy, and welcomed Representative Hansen to the committee. Staff then reported that the watershed management study and the stormwater/wastewater study had both satisfied the presentation requirements in their study directives, with no further required testimony unless members wanted additional information.
The department’s main presentation focused on major water projects and agency operations. Reese Haas and staff updated members on the NAWS project, the Southwest Pipeline Project, Devils Lake outlet operations, low-head dam safety work, floodplain management repository implementation, data center water use, and the 2027 Water Development Plan. Members asked detailed questions about NAWS funding sources, remaining project costs, capacity concerns for All Seasons and other users, and whether current construction is being designed for future demand. The department said NAWS remains on track for substantial completion by October, that remaining NAWS funding will come from a mix of federal, state, and local sources, and that current construction is designed for ultimate capacity while some future components will be adjusted for increased demand.
A large portion of the meeting was devoted to the department’s cash management, Resources Trust Fund revenues, carryover balances, and the State Water Commission’s cost-share program. The department reported $340.6 million in carryover remaining, explained that much of it is already obligated to long-term projects, and noted that oil price forecasts and stripper-well exemptions will affect future revenues. Members raised concerns about large carryovers, affordability for local sponsors, and whether the state should continue obligating money multiple bienniums ahead. The department said it is working with the commission on a revised prioritization framework, including high/moderate/low project categories and a two-tier pre-construction/construction approach, to better manage obligations and affordability.
The committee also reviewed Deloitte’s finalized studies on regional governance/finance and cost-share policy. Deloitte presented options for Southwest, NAWS, and Red River governance, with stakeholders generally favoring keeping NAWS largely as is, using the current Southwest model with improvements, and pursuing a more structured governance option for Red River. On cost share, the department said Deloitte’s recommended package would cover projected needs through the 2030s, but would require policy changes such as lower percentages for some project types, a 25% replacement-project rate with a cap, and possible bonding or delayed reimbursement strategies. No votes were taken on these policy questions, and the chair indicated the committee would continue the discussion at future basin meetings and the September Water Topics meeting.