Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and paragraph 4 in 742 talks about it as an open warrant to the source of funds for payment under
• Um, and paragraph 4 in 742 talks about it as an open warrant to the source of funds for payment under
• Um, and paragraph 4 in 742 talks about it as an open warrant to the source of funds for payment under
• The sending district is responsible for 25% of that payment, and then the state is responsible for 75%
• is responsible for 25% of that payment is responsible for 25% of that payment and<01:29:35.520><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 292, which would authorize a governor’s warrant to cover special education aid shortfalls from the education trust fund, and from the general fund if needed, so local school districts would not have to absorb prorated costs or raise local property taxes. Senator Lang said the bill was prompted by a prior $15 million special education funding shortfall caused by higher-than-expected catastrophic aid claims, including more qualifying students and the recent increase in the special education age limit to 22. He emphasized that the bill is intended to ensure the state meets its funding commitment and avoid shifting costs to towns. Members asked about how the bill interacts with House Bill 742 and House Bill 773, including whether the language should be merged or whether the state should fund 100% versus an 80% floor. Lang said he was open to improving the bill and to adding a study committee or performance audit on special education costs, but maintained that the state should not push costs to local taxpayers when it has available funds. The hearing on SB 292 was then closed, with no vote taken. The committee then opened Senate Bill 98, which would extend for five more years a tax credit program for donations to regional career and technical education centers. Senator Waters said the program has been successful in building partnerships between CTE centers and employers, especially through equipment donations that support training and apprenticeships. He cited examples including automotive, marine trades, and advanced manufacturing programs, and said the five-year extension would let lawmakers continue to review whether the incentive is working as intended. Several members questioned whether the credit is effectively a 100% subsidy and how the cap works. Waters and another member explained that the underlying program has an aggregate cap of $500,000 and that credits are prorated if requests exceed that amount; they also said the donations are primarily equipment, not cash. Some members raised concerns about whether businesses could also claim other tax deductions or credits, but the sponsor said the existing structure has been in place for years and has been revisited periodically. No vote was taken during the hearing excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a process of teaching, a method There is a process of teaching, a method of<00:10:41.920
• But there is a vast body of evidence that shows the problems with this three queuing method.
• But there is a vast body of evidence that shows the problems with this three queuing method.
• But there is a vast body of evidence that shows the problems with this three queuing method.
• a Story about the three queuing method. a Story about the three queuing method.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, are we assured and comfortable that all the payments under the Tyler settlement will have been made
• So are you, are we assured and comfortable that all the payments under the Tyler settlement will have
• So are you, are we assured and comfortable that all the payments under the Tyler settlement will have
• So are you, are we assured and comfortable that all the payments under the Tyler settlement will have
• Uh, that was just a way, a calendaring method for us to get the additional payment in early because of

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Alternate outdoor sustainable land and building practices that emphasize nonchemical methods of pest
• Alternate outdoor sustainable land and building practices that emphasize nonchemical methods of pest
• , be allowed when if poisons are the preferred method, several effects of all alternatives exist that
• We need to manage the rat problem with safe, proven methods that only use poison as a last resort.
• Additionally, these methods allow alternate humane methods to stop SGARs from being transmitted from

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a hybrid hearing on a large slate of bills focused on pesticides, pollinators, rodenticides, mosquito control, invasive species, and local authority over pesticide regulation. Chair Becca Rausch set strict two-minute testimony limits due to the very large number of speakers. Early testimony from Senator Moore and Representative Hawkins strongly supported a bill to restrict second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, citing harms to wildlife, pets, and public health, and noting that California has already adopted a similar model. Testimony also supported a Lowell home rule petition to allow the city to prohibit or restrict these rodenticides, with local officials describing documented raptor poisonings and municipal efforts to phase out use on city property. A major portion of the hearing focused on pollinator protection and neonicotinoid-treated seeds. Witnesses from environmental groups, conservation organizations, academics, and beekeepers argued that neonics harm bees and other beneficial insects, contaminate soil and water, and provide little or no economic benefit in most corn and soybean fields. Several speakers pointed to New York, Vermont, and Quebec as models for restricting treated seeds, and one panel cited research showing only a small percentage of fields benefit economically from the treatments. Support was also voiced for a bill establishing an ecologically based mosquito management program, with advocates criticizing aerial and truck spraying and urging non-chemical, locally tailored approaches. Other testimony supported bills to reform the pesticide board and pesticide regulation process, to give vulnerable municipalities more local control over pesticide use, to protect schoolchildren from pesticides on school grounds, and to respond to invasive species through a centralized state office, coordinator, strategic plan, and trust fund. Many speakers, including representatives from Mass Audubon, MSPCA, the Xerces Society, the Sierra Club, watershed groups, and local wildlife rehabilitators, described impacts on hawks, owls, pets, fish, and broader ecosystems. No votes were taken during the hearing, and committee members generally asked few questions, with the hearing remaining in testimony mode throughout.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are they getting sort of double payment, or is it just the 90% of the formula from the high school to
• Are they getting sort of double payment, or is it just the 90% of the formula from the high school to
• getting<00:58:58.120> sort<00:58:58.360> of<00:58:58.480> double<00:58:58.760> payment
• c><00:58:59.600> or<00:58:59.920> is<00:59:00.120> it getting sort of double payment
• , or is it getting sort of double payment, or is it just<00:59:00.520> the just the just the 90%

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• phones or tablets, offer a practical alternative method that allows students to still participate in
• These only serve as a one-time use, whereas alternative methods can be reused year after year resulting
• It's for a certain software for certain types of alternative methods.
• Studies show that students who use animal-free methods perform as well as and oftentimes better than
• For the past 10 years, LAUSD has been the only school district authorized to utilize this method.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result of our additional testing, we didn't identify any improper payments.
• It appears that it was more of a lack of documentation. ...improper payments.
• Chairman, we looked at the support that the Department of Transportation had for how they made the payments
• Debt is a moving target in any school district based on payments that are made and meal charges that
• Maintaining this financial position requires ongoing alignment between claim payments, premium levels

Summary: The committee convened, approved the prior meeting minutes, and received a memo summarizing major audit items. The State Auditor’s office and outside auditors then presented a series of audits, many of which were clean with unmodified opinions and no findings, including the Bank of North Dakota, the Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Quality, Lake Region State College, and the Office of the Governor. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association audit was also clean overall, but it repeated findings about limited segregation of duties and auditor assistance in preparing financial statements, which the auditor said were expected to continue because of the organization’s small size. Committee members asked about out-of-state board addresses, and the association explained those members were North Dakota residents using South Dakota mailing addresses. Several audits did include findings. The Council on the Arts audit identified two issues: payroll charged to federal awards without supporting time records, and $12,825 in Cultural Endowment Fund spending that was not allowable under state law, including staff training, retreats, and executive director candidate travel. The Department of Public Instruction audit found unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, but additional testing confirmed the funds were credited properly and students completed required school district work, so no improper payments were identified. The University of North Dakota audit found a lack of documentation and transparency in School of Law admissions decisions; the auditor said the law school used a holistic process but did not keep notes or evaluation tools to show why applicants were admitted, waitlisted, or denied. UND leadership said the school is in good standing with the American Bar Association and agreed better documentation is needed, and the auditor said the issue was the missing documentation, not ABA accreditation itself. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which found four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating cap, grant conditions not being met, improper breeder fund awards, and improper procurement. The auditor said promotion fund spending exceeded the cap by $327,447 and the fund balance dropped sharply over the audit period. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson said the agency had become complacent, that grant requests were treated as routine, and that controls and documentation need to be tightened. He also explained that the breeder fund overpayments involved two horses whose ownership transfers were not properly documented before racing, and that the procurement issue stemmed from an advertising contract that proceeded without proper written procurement procedures after a misunderstanding with the State Procurement Office. The auditor said the Racing Commission will now be audited every two years because of the findings. The committee also received updates on Dakota College at Bottineau’s bank reconciliations, which Minot State University said had been brought current after an 18-month backlog, with only one account still needing cleanup; members asked for a written report on the corrective actions. The North Dakota Fair Foundation was reported to have dissolved, with remaining funds transferred to another nonprofit account for continued support of the state fair. Finally, the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, revising the earlier estimate to about $1.1 million based on incomplete district survey responses, and said the Anti-Lunch Shaming law likely increased meal debt because schools must feed students regardless of account balance. Members discussed the need for a more accurate year-end debt figure and possible future reporting at a later committee meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result of our additional testing, we didn't identify any improper payments.
• Chairman, we looked at the support that the Department of Transportation had for how they made the payments
• The Department of Transportation had support for how they made the payments.
• Debt is a moving target in any school district based on payments that are made and meal charges that
• Maintaining this financial position requires ongoing alignment between claim payments, premium levels

Summary: The committee was called to order, the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer were offered, and the minutes from the previous meeting were approved. Members then received a memo summarizing major audit items and began hearing audit presentations from the State Auditor’s Office and private auditors on a range of state agencies and organizations. Several audits were reported as clean, including the Bank of North Dakota, the North Dakota Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the Office of the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation’s flexible transportation fund, Lake Region State College, and the Department of Environmental Quality. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association also received an unmodified opinion, though repeat findings were noted for limited segregation of duties and financial statement preparation due to its small staff. The Council on the Arts audit found two findings: payroll charged to federal awards without adequate timekeeping records, and unallowable expenditures from a restricted cultural endowment fund. The Department of Public Instruction audit identified unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, though additional testing showed the funds were used for their intended purpose. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which identified four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating limit, grant conditions not being met, improper Breeders Fund awards, and improper procurement for advertising services. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson acknowledged complacency and weak controls, said the agency would tighten procedures, and explained that the commission had since worked with procurement and would follow the rules more closely. Auditors also explained that the commission would now be audited every two years because of the findings. Another major discussion involved the University of North Dakota School of Law, where auditors found a lack of documentation supporting admissions decisions for post-baccalaureate programs. UND officials said they remain in good standing with the American Bar Association but agreed better documentation and tools are needed; the committee pressed for more transparency and follow-up on admissions criteria. The committee also received an update on Dakota College at Bottineau, where Minot State University reported that bank reconciliations had been brought current after a significant backlog and would now be maintained through shared services. Members requested a written follow-up report on the issues and corrective actions. Finally, the North Dakota Fair Association explained that its foundation has been dissolved and remaining funds were transferred to another nonprofit for continued support of the state fair, and the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, saying the reported amount was about $1.1 million from a partial district survey and that debt remains a local issue, though it could be revisited if school meal funding changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• And before a municipal utility is required to connect a property, they must receive full payment or other
• These payments often involve a third-party processor that charges a convenience fee for its services.
• Instead, they threaten to eliminate the very payment options that consumers prefer, the options that
• It clearly establishes that convenience fees for electronic payments in connection with retail installment
• methods.

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of retained bills and several new measures, with most receiving favorable reports after amendments. Major debate centered on CS/SB 706, which preempts airport naming to the state and designates Palm Beach International Airport as the Donald J. Trump International Airport subject to FAA and trademark-related conditions. Senator Jones offered amendments to avoid private royalty benefits, but both failed. Senators Berman, Osgood, Jones, and Pizzo spoke against the bill, raising concerns about naming an airport after a sitting president, lack of local input, and ethical issues; Senator Mayfield defended the bill as cost-free to the airport and noted the naming agreement. The committee ultimately voted the bill favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 546 on conservation land notice requirements and CS/SB 1014 on municipal utility service to properties outside city limits, both with amendments and some opposition from the Florida League of Cities on the utility bill. Several other bills were heard and reported favorably with little controversy. CS/SB 1500 would streamline uncontested probate proceedings; SB 962 would exclude farms and farm operations from certain zoning definitions tied to affordable housing preemption; CS/SB 820 would strengthen reporting for problem-solving courts; SB 840 would revise portions of last year’s hurricane-related land-use law to narrow its scope and sunset temporary restrictions; and SB 856 would require online property listings to show estimated ad valorem taxes, with an amendment excluding social media platforms and broadening liability protections. SB 110 would clarify homestead exemption eligibility for 98-year or longer residential leases. SB 394 would exempt certain underwriting managers handling limited facultative reinsurance from licensure requirements, and SB 434 would prevent wind-hardening improvements from increasing assessed value for residential property tax purposes. The committee also advanced several public-safety and transparency measures. CS/CS/SB 658 and 608, a combined water-safety bill, would require safety features for rental properties with pools or nearby water bodies and authorize DBPR enforcement; supporters framed it as a response to Florida’s high child-drowning rates, and Airbnb waived in support. SB 748 would place constitutional language on restoration of voting rights on sentencing score sheets, with broad support from voting-rights and civil-rights groups. CS/SB 824 would require annual reporting of unimproved school-district land inventories, and CS/SB 848 would create a framework for off-site stormwater treatment and related credits, with support from builders and mitigation bankers. The committee also heard CS/SB 1036 on school counselors, which clarifies certification requirements and performance criteria after a delete-all amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, I think the EPA test methods are maybe good for 40 to 70 of those.
• Right now, I think the EPA test methods are maybe good for 40 to 70 of those.
• Right now, I think the EPA test methods are maybe good for 40 to 70 of those.
• Right now, I think the EPA test methods are maybe good for 40 to 70 of those.
• Right now, I think the EPA test methods are maybe good for 40 to 70 of those.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing of the Committees on Public Safety and Military Affairs and Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs considered two resolutions related to Red Hill and PFAS contamination. HCR 186 urged the U.S. Department of Defense and Defense Health Agency to extend the renewal period for secretarial designee health care authorization for people affected by the Red Hill water contamination crisis and to improve access to care. Testimony from Moira Flanary and Board of Water Supply’s Ernie Lau supported the measure, emphasizing lasting health impacts, the need for continuity of care, and National Academies recommendations for continued eligibility and access to treatment. The second measure, HCR 200, urged the U.S. Department of Defense to reassess prior determinations and closure decisions under CERCLA in light of evolving scientific understanding of PFAS and recent federal hazardous substance designations. Mr. Lau testified in support, arguing that military investigations should not rely only on old records or AFFF documentation and should instead use current testing methods to identify contamination. He said PFAS is persistent, mobile in groundwater, and likely to require long-term remediation, and he also answered questions about cleanup challenges and the Board of Water Supply’s ongoing litigation against the Navy over Red Hill-related costs. At the end of the hearing, the committees voted to pass both HCR 186 and HCR 200 unamended. The Public Safety and Military Affairs Committee adopted the chair’s recommendations on both measures. The Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee did not have quorum, so its votes were deferred until April 21 at 2:00 p.m. in Conference Room 225.

Transcript Highlights:

• Subdivision 8, Methods to Protect, Restore Land, Water, and Habitat, includes $12.188 million for 19
• These projects aim to innovate the methods used to protect and restore our natural resources.
• <00:14:43.199> to efficiencies subdivision 8 methods to efficiencies subdivision 8 methods
• And I think that's the purpose of studies, is to make sure you're using the most effective method to
• <00:48:37.440> this know I don't know that this method this know I don't know that this method

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• my issue is that I haven't even fired up my still for the very first time because I don't have a method
• my issue is that I haven't even fired up my still for the very first time because I don't have a method
• my issue is that I haven't even fired up my still for the very first time because I don't have a method
• don't need liability because you're poor, you're injured, you can barely pay your health insurance payments
• payments and your groceries,<04:04:29.120> we<04:04:29.359> are<04:04:29.520> not

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• there would be no greater certainty, obviously, for a nursing home than to receive a provisional payment
• uh for a pending provisional payment uh for a pending Medicaid<00:09:48.080> application.
• And now with DD as well, we have a CMS-approved method of collecting costs and setting the rate.
• And now with DD as well, we have a CMS-approved method of collecting costs and setting the rate.
• And now with DD as well, we have a CMS-approved method of collecting costs and setting the rate.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is on active duty or deployed, is it that that member would have access always to a telephone or methods
• duty or for the military as a whole, my thought would be that that member of the... a telephone or methods
• of communication a telephone or methods of communication in<00:15:26.639> real<00:15:26.959><
• ><01:49:01.119> to<01:49:01.360> offer<01:49:01.760> grant<01:49:02.080> payments
• <01:49:02.719> to be refusing to offer grant payments to be refusing to offer grant payments

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, this just cleans up the method to override the local tax cap.
• Instead of mandating that all communities with a tax cap use this method, it should respect the will
• tax<00:48:46.400> cap<00:48:46.800> use<00:48:47.240> this<00:48:47.680> method
• > of<04:09:34.040> cost<04:09:34.399> fall<04:09:34.760> zones state payments
• of cost fall zones state payments of cost fall zones Regional<04:09:36.239> notification<04:09

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that'll reduce the state defrayal payments by 3.9, or almost $4 million, in fiscal year 2028, and
• our uh Benchmark defrayal pay payment our uh Benchmark plan<01:25:02.719> was<01:25:02.920>
• by condition treated, so members can see which conditions generated the payments.
• by condition treated, so members can see which conditions generated the payments.
• by condition treated, so members can see which conditions generated the payments.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• to put the names of their members, the date their term started, the date their term expires, and a method
• <00:04:46.720> a the date their term expires, and a the date their term expires, and a method
• <00:04:48.240> So,<00:04:48.800> as<00:04:49.040> we method of contacting them
• So, as we method of contacting them.
• For deciding exactly how to implement that and make sure that they have an unbiased method for selecting

Keywords: HB 66 – discussion began at 00:03:37, 958, all

Summary: The House State Government Committee met and established a quorum after opening with the Pledge of Allegiance and introductions of several guests and interns. Representatives introduced their interns and other visitors, who were welcomed by the chair before the committee turned to its only agenda item, House Bill 66, sponsored by Representative Hodgson. The committee adopted a committee substitute for HB 66. Hodgson explained that the bill concerns the use of video meetings by public agencies, boards, and commissions. The substitute would require agencies to post members’ names, term dates, and contact information; allow routine, informational, or advisory meetings to be conducted entirely by video conference to reduce travel costs; require a physical quorum for meetings involving policy, taxation, regulation, or large grants; and require agencies to adopt procedures for remote participation. He emphasized that the bill would not affect legislative committee meetings. Members asked whether the bill would apply to local boards, whether board members are compensated for attendance and travel, and whether it would affect legislative committees. Hodgson said it would apply broadly to public agencies, including local boards such as library boards, but not to legislative committees. He also said compensation for attendance would remain unchanged, while travel expenses would not be paid when no travel occurs. The committee then voted HB 66 favorably with 18 yes votes and one pass, and later adopted a title amendment by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are making the annual State House payment in the budget.
• <00:18:50.480> We million payment we had to consider.
• We million payment we had to consider.
• We are making the annual State House payment in the budget.
• We are making the annual State House payment in the budget.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:14.480> um<00:10:15.480> make<00:10:15.680> that<00:10:15.800> payment
• ><00:10:16.079> in<00:10:16.240> July<00:10:16.880> so RFA loan um make that payment
• in July so RFA loan um make that payment in July so we<00:10:17.720> worked<00:10:17.959>
• This graph is just showing the depredation claim payments per year, along with the number of claims.
• The graph is just showing the depredation claim payments per year, along with the number of claims.

Bills: HF601, HF271, HF1101, HF979

Keywords: agriculture, depredation compensation, livestock, crop damage, elk, wolves, wildlife management, skills path program, career and technical education, CTE, dual credit, postsecondary options enrollment, apprenticeship, apprenticeship readiness, dual training, work-based learning, career pathways, skilled trades, workforce development, high school to career

Transcript Highlights:

• today to testify are Joe Lewis from McGuire and Hester Construction Company and Garrett Francis from Payment
• our traffic safety response to change motorist behavior where our traditionally effective calming methods

Keywords: 988, house, all