Transcript Highlights:

• Federal transit funding programs require local match, and maintaining stable local funding sources is
• The local mill levy funds make up the largest portion of our local funding, which is used to match our
• The local portion is $107,856.
• This is a local service.
• I think local property tax payers and local cities should be paying their share.

Summary: The committee met as a study subcommittee on fixed-route public transportation and first approved the December 11 minutes. It then heard detailed presentations from transit leaders in Grand Forks, Bismarck/Mandan, and Fargo about their systems, including route structures, paratransit service, ridership trends, fare changes, funding sources, fleet replacement needs, and operational challenges. Grand Forks described Cities Area Transit’s 17 routes, university shuttle service, expanded paratransit coverage, a 2025 fare increase, and rising costs for labor, fuel, parts, and new buses. Bismarck/Mandan’s Bisman Transit outlined its fixed-route and paratransit operations, recent service expansions approved for April 1, fare structure, ridership recovery since COVID, and major funding streams including mill levies, federal grants, and new local sales tax revenue. Fargo’s MATBUS representative emphasized the importance of continued state support for urban fixed-route transit. Members asked extensive questions about cost per ride, fare increases, school transportation, veteran service partnerships, app-based ticketing, local funding formulas, and whether ride-share or microtransit could replace fixed routes. Transit officials said fixed-route service remains essential because it provides reliable capacity, supports jobs and access to services, and preserves federal funding tied to public transit operations. They also said paratransit is costly but necessary for riders with disabilities, and that vehicle and maintenance costs have risen sharply. Minot’s transit superintendent added context on the state’s existing transit aid formula, explaining that it is weighted more toward rural and paratransit providers and that urban fixed-route systems are seeking a separate, dedicated funding source rather than changes to the current formula. The committee also heard public testimony from North Dakota Protection & Advocacy supporting both fixed-route and paratransit service for disabled riders, and from Minot staff on refurbished buses, CDL driver recruitment, and why the agency is not pursuing full electric buses. Near the end, members discussed whether to recommend additional state funding for the four urban fixed-route systems. A motion passed to have Legislative Council prepare a summary of the subcommittee’s activities for inclusion in the Government Finance Committee’s report to Legislative Management. Members then continued discussing possible recommendations, including a separate funding source for urban fixed-route transit and whether the four urban systems should meet to develop a proposed amount.

Transcript Highlights:

• The entity has the ability to, and this is our finding number five, The entity has the ability to, and
• Just in regards to the entities not doing or following through or not, you know, To the entities not
• bank account used for local cash and check deposits.
• Those are local decisions that are made at a local level by a school board or a school district.
• We've got 21 different categories of local governments.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Local Agency Technical Assistance Program, or LADA, is the one I want to highlight today. where we
• And these projects really are for public entities, local government, tribes, and non-profits to put projects
• What's really important here is that the type of entities that are connecting to the middle mile are
• It includes 18 public entities, seven tribes, and a number of new entrants. Next slide, please.
• We have also secured partnerships and contracts with tribal entities, local governments, and private

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The other one that came up Recently, a local solar access grant came up again.
• Any entities that need help in GIS mapping and others. The third is accounting.
• We recognize that a lot of these entities, it's a change.
• The local solar access Mr.
• more permanent fix to the local state match formula.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First, I want to emphasize that these entities are public entities.
• Their governing boards consist of local elected officials.
• And when I talk about taxpayer dollars funding these local entities, I want to note for the members that
• First and foremost, we are not a public entity.
• you meet the local standard.

Bills: HB2510, HB3589, HB4611, HB4655, HB4665, HB4666, HB4670, HB4700, HB4730, HB4798, HB4838, HB5136, HB5243, HB5302, HB5539

Keywords: assisted living, healthcare, licensing, criminal offense, personal assistance, group home, regulation, health and safety, inspections, resident care, criminal background checks, adoption, parental rights, registry, vital statistics, disclosure, counseling, foster care, independent living, financial literacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Across the Minnesota state government, there are several entities responsible for investigating fraud
• So, my focus is it at the local level.
• Well, of course, I'm local, so primarily, so it really didn't intersect with the stuff that we do.
• in local government, if you see a problem, you are likely required to report it.
• > so Because private entities work so Because private entities work so differently,<00:08:08.480

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: State Auditor Julie Blaha discussed fraud in Minnesota, emphasizing that recent attention on fraud during COVID-19 should be separated from broader, ongoing fraud risks. She explained that the Office of the State Auditor oversees about $60 billion in local government activity, including school districts, cities, townships, counties, special districts, and port authorities, and works both to prevent fraud through audits and to investigate cases when they arise. Blaha said the biggest current challenge is workforce shortages in accounting and accountability fields, which makes it harder to provide oversight even as public demand for accountability increases. She urged legislators to involve her office early when drafting bills so the right oversight tool can be matched to the risk, rather than simply adding an audit requirement by default. She also said a proposed Office of the Inspector General would be a useful accountability discussion, but stressed that internal audit structures are often more effective than relying only on external audits. Blaha said the public plays a major role in detecting fraud because tips are the most common way fraud, waste, and abuse are uncovered. She encouraged public employees and local officials to report concerns, especially around unusual spending or misuse of purchasing cards, and noted that reporting can be confidential and is often required for certain public employees. In her closing remarks, she warned that COVID-era fraud often involved private-sector actors and said outsourcing government work requires careful risk analysis and added oversight. The segment ended with a reminder that allegations of state government fraud can be submitted to the Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor online, by phone, or by mail.

Transcript Highlights:

• see more of, and I know Assemblymember Stephanie has a bill on this, is more technical support for local
• governments to actually implement. a bill on this is more technical support for local governments to
• It provides financial incentives to entities at a 10-to-1 ratio cost share.
• So for item 10, we have PUC and State Operations and Local Assistance, California Lifeline.
• There are also entities like rail and transportation as well.

Summary: The hearing was an informational budget session on energy agency proposals, with no votes taken. Early discussion focused on Proposition 4 climate bond implementation, including funding for demand-side grid support, offshore wind development, and transmission financing. The Department of Finance said the budget includes allocations for demand-side grid support and offshore wind, but not yet for the $325 million transmission financing piece pending a required study. The Legislative Analyst’s Office urged the Legislature to consider whether to wait on offshore wind funding, whether to keep shifting funds into demand-side grid support, and how to direct future transmission financing. Members also raised concerns about local technical assistance for offshore wind, Salton Sea priorities, and the need for more information before final decisions. The California Energy Commission and CPUC then reviewed the broader energy package. The CEC highlighted the demand-side grid support program’s growth, distributed energy backup assets, long-duration storage, hydrogen grants, and the SIRP clean energy reliability program. CPUC testimony emphasized affordability, wildfire mitigation costs, rooftop solar cost shifts, and efforts to reduce rates while maintaining reliability and clean energy goals. Members questioned CPUC staffing, delays in proceedings, coordination with the CEC and CAISO, and the impact of rate increases on customers. The agencies also discussed the AB 3264 transmission financing study, with CPUC saying work on the study had already begun and was on track for the July 1 deadline. Several trailer bill and implementation items were also discussed. The committee reviewed a proposal to extend the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program surcharge, with members split over whether it should be handled in budget trailer bill language or policy legislation; the administration said the surcharge supports a critical program serving about three-quarters of a million Californians. The committee also heard a CPUC data-sharing proposal to allow nondisclosure agreements for transmission and reliability data, which members generally supported as a technical fix. DWR explained a proposal to clarify language for the Electricity Supply Strategic Reliability Reserve so it can potentially sell three gas-fired units it owns, and the CEC presented a federal transmission grant proposal tied to grid-enhancing technologies and ratepayer cost recovery. Finally, the committee discussed California Lifeline and possible broadband pilot reforms in light of uncertainty around federal Universal Service Fund support, with CPUC saying it is exploring a statewide standalone broadband option for eligible customers.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also requires FDOT to consult with rail operators, local governments, and safety experts to ensure
• Currently, courts have an opportunity to determine how much control a state entity or a government entity
• or a government entity has over a contractor to determine how much control and oversight they have and
• And are you representing yourself or a particular entity? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Essentially, they are their own sovereign entity.

Bills: S0828, S1274, S1310, S1378, S1562

Keywords: sovereign immunity, public transit, contractors, liability, state agents, transportation, traffic signal modernization, seaports, commercial space launch, micromobility, automated license plate recognition, railroad crossing safety, railroad crossings, grade crossing, public railroad-highway grade crossing, rail safety, crossing technology, advanced detection systems, monitoring systems, sensors

Summary: The Transportation Committee took up several measures and adopted amendments on multiple bills. SB 1274, as amended, removed a number of provisions from the original bill and added items including local authority to lower residential street speed limits, clarification on obscured license plates, FDOT funding for certain rural airport aviation projects, limits on yellow-light timing changes tied to red-light cameras, changes to private use of license plate readers, and other transportation-related revisions. After brief questions and supportive testimony, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also approved SB 1310, which was converted into a study bill directing FDOT to study advanced detection and monitoring systems at public railroad crossings and report findings and policy options to the governor and legislature. Railroad industry testimony supported the study but raised concerns about interoperability with train safety systems and suggested the study consider additional safety tools such as red-light cameras and wayside horns. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. SB 828, as amended, would extend sovereign immunity protections to private contractors providing public transit services on behalf of governments, with supporters saying it would reduce costs and provide certainty for transit providers, while opponents warned it was an overbroad expansion of sovereign immunity and could conflict with railroad employee protections under federal law. The committee reported that bill favorably as well. The committee then passed SB 1378, which strengthens traffic enforcement by clarifying when vehicles may be treated as abandoned, adding penalties for unlawfully attached plates or stickers, and allowing forfeiture of vehicles used to flee law enforcement even without an immediate arrest. It also approved SB 1562, which aims to prevent manufacturers from concentrating sales of certain vehicle brands through a single dealer group and instead promote competition among independent dealers. In addition, the committee unanimously confirmed a slate of appointees, and members later recorded additional affirmative votes on several bills before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• It mandate weakens our local control.
• Senate Bill 41 restricts a local district's ability to manage these rising costs at the local level.
• Senate Bill 41 restricts a local district's ability to manage these rising costs at the local level.
• 19:53.919> taxing is doesn't need it to the local taxing is doesn't need it to the local taxing
• ,<00:23:18.400> is one, not even government entities, is one, not even government entities

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:10 SB 11 Discussion 00:01:20 SB 11 Vote 00:05:00 SB 41 Discussion 00:5:43 SB 41 Vote 00:15:03 SB 59 Discussion 00:20:30 SB 59 Vote 00:28:15 SB 57 Discussion 00:29:40 SB 57 Vote 00:40:00 SB 125 Discussion 00:42:43 SB 125 Vote 00:50:53 SB 191 Discussion 00:53:19 SB 191 Vote 00:59:38, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 11, a proposal to create a matching-grant program for neighborhood storm shelters in rural Kentucky. Sponsor Steve Meredith and supporters from the Kentucky League of Cities and the City of Morgantown said the idea was to use FEMA-style funding to help residents who live far from community shelters, noting that in some rural counties it can take 30 to 45 minutes to reach a shelter during severe weather. The committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill 11-0, with no nay votes. The committee then considered Senate Bill 41, which would require a ballot referendum whenever a taxing entity raises property taxes more than 4 percent, rather than relying on the current petition process. Sponsor Gary Boswell said the bill would give taxpayers more direct control and argued that local governments should simply avoid raising taxes above the threshold. Superintendents from Rockcastle and Casey counties opposed the bill, saying it would weaken local control, add election costs, delay budgets, and make it harder for school districts to keep up with inflation, insurance, transportation, and construction costs. After debate, the committee passed the bill 7-3 with favorable expression. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 59, which would add criminal penalties to KRS 65.013, the law barring public funds from being used to advocate for or against ballot questions. Sponsor Steve Rawlings said the measure was prompted by reports of school officials using public resources to oppose a 2024 ballot issue and argued the law needs real enforcement to protect taxpayers and election integrity. Members raised concerns about First Amendment issues and the bill’s gray areas, especially for public employees speaking on their own time; Rawlings said the substitute removed volunteer references, allowed balanced issue debates, and clarified that employees acting on their own time and resources would not be prohibited. The committee passed the bill 8-3 with favorable expression. The committee also began hearing Senate Bill 57, as substituted, from Senator Danny Carroll. The bill would create a nuclear-ready site readiness pilot program under the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority, with up to three projects receiving up to $25 million each to help cover early site permitting and related licensing costs. Carroll, along with witnesses from the UK Center for Applied Energy Research and the Public Service Commission, said the goal is to build a nuclear energy ecosystem in Kentucky, with safeguards including surety bonds, deadlines, and cost-recovery provisions. The discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are not for profit entities. We're designated that by the IRS.
• And we are also governed by a locally elected board of directors.
• Um, to support our, our local citizens.
• to control the locals.
• Then in the in the standard of local control.

Transcript Highlights:

• tax but we don't know what the local tax but we don't know what the local education<01:03:18.279
• stated use and this would if a local stated use and this would if a local governing<01:42:05.199
• ability to talk with local ability to talk with local municipalities<01:49:09.119> and<01
• I've represented dozens of entities, both municipal entities as well as religious entities, charitable
• I lead our local welfare project.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• California is a local control state.
• So when you pass large reforms like local control funding formula, the local control and accountability
• Local school district.
• Because we know in a local context, we all have a lot of clarity about what it means to be a local superintendent
• Again, we're in a local control state.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You're saying that 75 cents on the dollar comes from local businesses. Yes, sir.
• We call them LEAFERS, or local funding requests.
• Most of the committee's work involves oversight of local governments.
• Most of the committee's work involves oversight of local governments.
• Florida law requires the Auditor General to review audit reports submitted by local governmental entities—counties

Summary: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee met to consider several audit requests and enforcement items involving local governments and special districts. The committee approved operational audits of the City of Miami Beach, the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority, and the City of Daytona Beach. In each case, the requesting member described concerns about transparency, financial management, or internal controls, while local officials or representatives generally said they were willing to cooperate and, in Delray Beach’s case, noted that an internal audit had already been completed and that some issues were being corrected. The committee also received a presentation on the statewide review of neighborhood improvement districts. The reviewers reported that 15 of 21 districts were active and six inactive, with common findings including outdated or missing performance plans, weak web presence, inadequate meeting notices, and limited management mechanisms. They said staffing levels often correlated with the ability to meet statutory requirements, and they recommended updates to district governance and transparency practices. On enforcement, staff reviewed local governments and special districts that had failed to file required financial reports or had submitted audit reports missing required information. The committee approved staff recommendations to proceed under the statutory enforcement process for the noncompliant entities, with flexibility for the chair and vice chair to delay action if additional information is provided in good faith. The committee also voted to send a letter to the Union County Legislative Delegation encouraging a local bill to dissolve the Town of Rayford, based on staff’s view that the town lacked employees, services, debt, and a clear reason to continue existing as an incorporated municipality.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 458 by Senator McMath is an act in Title 33 relative to local ethics entities to provide
• Relative to local ethics entities to provide for the use of taxes imposed for the local ethics entities
• It is a local bill.
• training requirements for certain local government officials.
• This bill is strictly a local bill for Golden Meadow.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• et al. relating to certain prohibited transactions and logistical support between a governmental entity
• and an abortion assistance entity to State Affairs.
• Senate Bill 1875 by Perry relating to the repeal of the requirement that certain entities subject to
• Senate Bill 1883 by Bettencourt relating to the approval of land use assumptions to Local Government.
• Senate Bill 1890 by Perry relating to workers' compensation insurance coverage to Local Government.

Transcript Highlights:

• We respond to a number of local and state crisis lines, including local 911 diversion partnerships and
• It allows a certain flexibility for local communities.
• But we did a lot of work with our local health plans.
• We need to utilize local grassroots funds and local grassroots organizations, community, tribal, or nonprofits
• to 22 tribal entities.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We perform inspections of regulated. entities, which regulated entities in the state of Texas are either
• We are adding new regulated entities. annually.
• Local governments and local non-profits funded directly from the federal government is the vast... vast
• And then there are local issuers, every HFC and PFC.
• So that is really something that would fall on the local entity. There's better, right?

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . entity. entity.
• government entity.
• . as a local obligations and duties. as a local government<00:03:34.000> entity.
• government entity. government entity.
• entity even for those kind of requests. entity even for those kind of requests.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• What will it remove from the local revenue there?
• I worry about local government. I worry about school boards.
• But, you know, I also have a great concern for taxpayers because they have received, these local entities
• the voters of every taxing entity seem to be okay with...
• If the voters of every taxing entity seem to be okay with the fact that those entities are not doing

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It should be handled locally. Mr.
• approximately 95% of eligible entities.
• But local economic development, communities, local government, local schools, all of that for the community
• We have the authority in law right now to provide cybersecurity assessments for local government entities
• Well, we work with local government... ...services to help implement those at local government 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.