Transcript Highlights:

• Prices get jacked up and stay high. And maybe COVID has something to do with it.
• No, I'm an Oregonian, but I do look at Idaho, so I'm part of this price escalation.
• Some estimates place it at 3 million homes nationwide or 8 million homes.
• price of a new home build.
• And then in 2019, over 10 years later, it had an impact on price of 3% to 7%.

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It gives you an estimate of what the fiscal cost is to the state.
• I have a screenshot of the latest REC estimate that was adopted.
• So the Revenue Estimating Committee did still estimate $900 million.
• So mechanically, when the revenue estimating conference met, So, mechanically, when the Revenue Estimating
• Of course, you know, the price of oil as a whole is important.

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But very close to forecast based on that price and production data through March in terms of the price
• Price and production data through March in terms of the price, and just a little bit above in terms of
• Price, of course, is the real wild card. We had seen prices slipping a little bit below forecast.
• You know, we had assumed a price in April and May of a North Dakota price of around $80.
• It's a price that we get from the actual tax. a market, a price that we get from a market.

Summary: The Budget Section approved the March 18 minutes and received an OMB update showing the general fund is still ahead of the budgeted starting point, but revenues through May are now about $76 million below the legislative forecast, driven mainly by individual income tax and sales tax shortfalls. OMB also reported the budget stabilization fund is above its cap, meaning a transfer to the general fund is expected, and reviewed oil price/production assumptions, noting continued volatility. Members asked about the income tax netting process, the sales tax decline, oil price discounts/premiums, natural gas taxation, and when the executive branch would present its revenue forecast. The committee then acted on several Emergency Commission requests. It approved, as a group, requests for federal mine reclamation funds for the Public Service Commission, an additional criminal investigator FTE and funding for the Attorney General’s office, and a DPI transfer for bridge software costs. It separately approved DPI request 2164 for $500,000 to support the food vendor program after debate over whether the program’s savings were known and whether the money was simply a pass-through. OMB also reported on federal grants, fiscal irregularities, tobacco settlement proceeds, budget guidelines for agencies, FTE pool usage, vacancy savings, and the DAPL settlement, noting the settlement funds had been deposited and that a deficiency appropriation may be needed later to cover remaining accrued interest. Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus presented on the primary residence credit program, saying participation has grown sharply and that the current biennium will likely need about $431 million, roughly $22 million above the appropriation. He explained how the credit interacts with homestead and disabled veteran benefits, how the 3% property tax cap works, and why county valuations and mill rates vary. The committee also received a Legacy Fund/Budget Stabilization Fund report showing strong returns, and DOT Director Ron Henke received approval for two Flex Fund highway projects on ND 49 and ND 31. Henke also explained remaining Highway 85 funding and said the department is exploring uses for leftover state dollars. Finally, the Department of Mineral Resources reported on abandoned well plugging and site restoration, noting North Dakota remains in relatively strong shape compared with other states, and DPI began a presentation on gap funding tied to the 3% levy cap, reporting 24 districts received $1.8 million in the first year and projecting higher future needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• IN THE CURRENT YEAR. 4.0% ESTIMATED FOR NEXT YEAR.
• WHAT'S HAPPENING IN PRICE IS PROBABLY EVEN MORE INTERESTING.
• WE ACTUALLY PEAKED IN FEBRUARY 2023 WHERE WE WERE 107% OF THE NATIONAL MEDIAN PRICE.
• SO PRICES IN FLORIDA ARE STEADYING AND STARTING TO COME DOWN A LITTLE BIT.
• THAT IS DRIVEN BY ESTIMATING CONFERENCE RESULTS.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you, if you're talking about a markup from the 340B price, yeah, you could have a price that's double
• So the patient's getting the good price, but not the employer.
• We still give 340B pricing to covered entities when they order it.
• So there's a little bit of a transparency problem, a pretty big price kind of price gouging problem on
• If they don't have the information, then they estimate it and they estimate it and they may get it wrong

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• But very close to forecast based on that price and production data through March in terms of the price
• Price, of course, is the real wild card. We had seen prices slipping a little bit below forecast.
• price, North Dakota price, the first year, $57 the second.
• You know, we had assumed a price in April and May of a North Dakota price of around $80.
• It's a price that we get from the actual tax. a market price that we get from a market.

Committee: Joint Budget Section

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• higher prices.
• So it reflects the North Dakota price minus the discounted North Dakota price with deducts for transportation
• That resulted in an increase in the estimated ending balance for this next biennium.
• So that is the impact on the estimated impact for the various categories listed.
• The estimated impact for these various categories listed.

Committee: Joint Government Finance Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• No contract may be let for more than 15% in excess of the estimated cost of materials or work.
• A PUD may use an alternative... ...estimated cost of materials or work rather than 15%.
• know what the price is going to be at that point.
• So in that situation, we make a calculated estimate about what we're going to have to pay.
• I mean, sometimes it isn't just about the lowest price.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on several bills related to transportation, utilities, housing permitting, and port financing. Substitute Senate Bill 6309 would give regional transit authorities, such as Sound Transit, more flexibility to apply for permits before acquiring property, exceed certain local height/setback limits when needed for rail systems, and use development agreements to vary local standards; the sponsor and Sound Transit testified that the bill would speed delivery of light rail and bus rapid transit, and an amendment was described to allow permits on property not yet owned if the transit authority remains responsible for obtaining property rights. Substitute Senate Bill 6076 would streamline procurement rules for public utility districts on clean energy, storage, transmission, and distribution projects by raising self-performance and contract thresholds, allowing limited noncompetitive procurement in certain reliability or specialized-technology situations, and extending some provisions until 2045; supporters from PUDs, labor, and industry said the changes are needed because of rising costs, long lead times, and grid reliability demands, while committee members asked about the size of the threshold increases and the scope of the bidding waivers. Substitute Senate Bill 5729 would prohibit local governments from charging applicants for third-party plan review when a licensed local staff professional of the same discipline has already reviewed the materials, while still allowing third-party review at the applicant’s cost in certain cases; the sponsor said the bill was narrowed from a broader version and was intended to prevent duplicative fees, and builders supported it as a permitting streamlining measure. Senate Bill 6132 would create a narrow debt-limit exception for the Port of Moses Lake to support a rail project and preserve federal funding eligibility; the port and economic development supporters said the project is ready to bid and needs additional borrowing capacity because of inflation, and the sponsor clarified that the bill is intended to apply only to that port. Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5374 would require tribal governments to be included in transportation planning coordination under the Growth Management Act and create a tribal traffic safety coordinator grant program; the sponsor emphasized severe pedestrian fatality disparities for Native people and said the bill is about consultation and safety, while county representatives supported the policy goal but asked for clearer cross-references to existing GMA consultation and dispute-resolution processes. The committee also took up Substitute Senate Bill 6070/6076-related testimony and, at the end of the hearing, announced that bills would be executed the next day and amendment requests should be submitted as soon as possible.

Transcript Highlights:

• The value of energy spot prices.
• The market price signals with demand.
• ><c> typically</c><00:10:07.200><c> below</c> for context, prices are typically below for context, prices
• But by that estimate, using Minnesota-specific situation, we estimate if in 2030 we meet 10% of our peak
• we estimate if in specific situation we estimate if in 2030<00:19:54.080><c> if</c><00:19:54.240><c>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Representative Craft presented House File 2986, as amended with the DE6, and asked that it be laid over for possible inclusion. He described the bill as an affordability measure centered on virtual power plants, explaining that aggregating distributed energy resources such as solar panels, batteries, EVs, smart thermostats, heat pumps, and water heaters can help utilities reduce peak demand and avoid costly generation and distribution investments. He said the bill would require utilities to reduce system peak through a virtual power plant program by 5% by the end of 2028 and 10% by the end of 2032, using an independent third-party RFP process, with plans incorporated into integrated resource planning and a savings clause if requirements prove infeasible. Testimony in support came from the Department of Commerce, Vote Solar, Solar United Neighbors, Kite Rocket, and Mincia. Supporters said virtual power plants can function like grid-scale resources, lower spot-market and peak costs, improve reliability and resilience, and make better use of existing distribution infrastructure. Commerce said the approach fits an all-of-the-above strategy and noted consumer protections in the bill, including standards for contracts, disclosures, dispatch frequency, notice, opt-out, and compensation. Several supporters cited estimates of significant savings, including a national DOE estimate of 10% to 20% of peak load by 2030 and a Minnesota-specific estimate from Solar United Neighbors of about $63.5 million in savings if 10% of peak demand were met with VPPs in 2030. Committee members raised questions about how much cheaper VPPs are than peaker plants and whether utilities, especially Xcel Energy, are already implementing similar programs. Representative Baker expressed concern that the bill could move faster than the technology or market would naturally develop and asked about the risk of forcing utilities into a mandate before the economics are fully proven. In response, a Solar United Neighbors witness pointed to a fact sheet and Brattle Group-based analysis comparing VPP costs and benefits in Xcel territory, while an Xcel representative said the company has been discussing the bill with Representative Craft for months. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion, and no final vote on the bill itself was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• prices, right?
• and the price is the price.
• , it says a pricing, it’s surveillance pricing is an action including a pricing strategy in which the
• We saw that one price, one store offered one price, another store offered another price.
• increasing prices.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:45:16.400><c> are</c> this in New Hampshire estimates are this in New Hampshire estimates are
• </c><01:24:38.159><c> Farm</c><01:24:38.800><c> drug</c> their list prices Farm drug their list prices
• </c><01:27:56.520><c> was</c> therapy per drug if their price was therapy per drug if their price was
• </c><01:28:03.960><c> that</c><01:28:04.159><c> once</c> their prices that once their prices that once
• You know, a price of zero is about as low a price as you can get, and that's what they have once these

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Price. Hetsky, Manwaring, Mitchell, Price, Bruce, Bruce, Harris, Green.
• So if his estimate of revenue is correct, and we do conformity, we’re 100%...” “...estimate of revenue
• Representative Price. Representative Harris.
• Chairman and Elaine Price? Thank you, Representative Price. Excuse me.
• Price. Bruce. Bruce. Aye. Harris. Green.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first received a briefing on the updated “green sheet” budget materials and how to read the FY 2027 columns, along with a review of several bills with fiscal impacts, including HB 503, HB 556, HB 559, and HB 578. Staff explained where the documents could be found online and answered questions about the timing and size of the bills’ fiscal effects, including the tax conformity bill and county jail reimbursement changes. The main business was the 2026 Idaho Budget Rescissions Act. Members debated whether to adopt the governor’s 3% rescission, add an additional 1% reduction, or add an additional 2% reduction. Supporters of deeper cuts argued the state needed structural balance, a larger ending balance, and a response to revenue uncertainty and the pending tax conformity bill. Opponents said across-the-board cuts were too blunt, could harm Medicaid, education, public safety, and other programs, and should be handled agency by agency. The committee first rejected the 1% and 2% substitute motions, then approved the governor’s 3% rescission motion on a due-pass recommendation. The committee then approved a transfer of $22,366,500 from the Public School Income Fund to the General Fund, with the motion passing after a roll call vote. It next took up statewide decisions, starting with ongoing base reductions for selected state agencies. After debate over whether the reductions should be 3%, 4%, or 5%, the committee rejected the higher-cut substitutes and approved the governor’s 3% base reduction recommendation. Members emphasized that the work groups would still have flexibility to adjust individual agency budgets later. Finally, the committee considered personnel benefit cost increases for FY 2027. Staff explained the proposed health insurance and other variable-rate adjustments, and members debated whether to use the governor’s recommendation or a DOGE Working Group recommendation that slightly changed the funding mix and total. The governor’s recommendation was defended as more consistent with prior employee-benefit review practice, while supporters of the DOGE proposal said it would tighten legislative control over funding. The governor’s recommendation was ultimately rejected, and the committee moved on after the roll call votes on the competing motions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've sought the person that was the cheapest price.
• Senator Price? There you go. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• I do agree with Senator Price, Chairman Price, that historically we have blanketed these, but as the
• What's the total estimated cost of the project?
• Right now, it's estimated to be about an $8 million project.

Summary: The joint Senate and House Transportation, Highways, and Public Works committees met on March 3, 2026, and first considered several requests for approval to use the construction manager at risk (CMAR) method for local projects. The first item, Caddo Parish’s proposed $9.6 million pickleball park, drew extended questioning about whether the project was truly complex, whether CMAR would save money versus public bid, the project’s location and accessibility, and whether it fit the statute’s timing and risk criteria. The House initially voted to deny the request, while the Senate had moved to approve; after discussion about the statute and CMAR policy, the House motion was reconsidered and the Caddo project was ultimately approved. The committee then approved CMAR requests for an Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office indoor shooting range, a Calcasieu drainage district pump station rehabilitation/replacement project, St. Tammany Parish Hospital District No. 2’s Slidell Memorial emergency department expansion, St. Charles Parish Hospital’s entry registration/PACU renovation, and the Port of Vinton dock project in Calcasieu Parish. Testimony on the approved projects emphasized complexity, operational continuity, and schedule concerns. The Ascension Parish shooting range was described as involving bullet protection, ventilation and lead-control systems, and multiple training configurations; the drainage district project was presented as critical infrastructure serving much of Lake Charles and requiring staged construction to maintain flood protection; the hospital projects were justified by work inside operating facilities and the need to avoid disrupting patient care; and the Port of Vinton project was tied to an LED-related deadline and the need to keep port operations running during construction. Members generally supported these projects, with motions to approve made on both sides and no objections recorded. The meeting also featured a broader policy discussion about CMAR use. Several members, especially Representative Fontenot, questioned whether the committee had been too permissive in approving CMARs for projects that did not appear especially complex, and raised concerns about public bidding, taxpayer savings, and impacts on minority contractors. Senator Price said future legislation may tighten CMAR requirements, while Senator McMath and Senator Carter noted that the statute’s listed factors are not exhaustive and cautioned against abruptly changing practice for pending projects. The committee recessed after completing the CMAR agenda and planned to hear a DOTD presentation afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the pricing kind of varies >> Correct.
• These are not, I think, final estimates.
• "And again, um, these are the highest estimates.
• to the amount you raised prices with your...
• Of you raised prices with your students and your staff.

Committee: Joint Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and therefore the highest price.
• and therefore the highest price.
• and therefore the highest price.
• and therefore the highest price.
• and therefore the highest price.

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The 2022 Scoping Plan estimated a 48% reduction, right?
• And so that is how we derive those estimates.
• So again, these are just estimates of what we would expect to collect.
• So again, these are just estimates.
• The second is through that price effect.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> funds of 20,000 for a total um estim funds of 20,000 for a total um estim ated<00:30:58.240><c>
• </c> looking at these um Revenue estimates looking at these um Revenue estimates some<00:36:55.160><c
• </c><00:58:09.880><c> could</c><00:58:10.039><c> be</c> admission prices could be admission prices could
• </c> there was some regret then in the prices there was some regret then in the prices production<01:
• </c> unfortunately that the ticket prices unfortunately that the ticket prices have<01:05:12.599><c>

Bills: HF1833 , HF148 , HF1127 , HF1227 , HF1681 , HF1974 , HF1106 , HF1016 , HF2197

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: sales tax, education funding, construction, Aitkin Public Schools, tax exemption, refundable credit, HF148, use of force training, deadly force, peace officer training, police training, law enforcement, POST Board, Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training, scenario-based training, de-escalation, defensive tactics, force-on-force training, stress management, officer wellness

Transcript Highlights:

• have a project that has estimates of have a project that has estimates of 100%<00:02:24.319><c> fedally
• </c><00:09:33.839><c> Straight</c> purchase price? Straight purchase price?
• </c> &gt;&gt; straight purchase price. &gt;&gt; straight purchase price.
• Two estimates were secured, with the low estimate of $299,754.26 from HBN Contracting LLC.
• We're looking at the strike price. >> Correct.

Keywords: Reuploaded tor restore the roll call and minutes approval 0:00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 0:00:20 Approval of Minutes 0:00:50 Information Items 0:01:39 Project Rpt from Eastern KY University 0:06:54 Lease Rpt from University of KY 0:11:33 Project Rpt from Finance and Admin Cabinet 0:18:50 Lease Rpt from Finance and Admin Cabinet 0:29:33 OFM – KY Infrastructure Authority 0:38:27 OFM – Debt Issues 0:46:27 Louisville Arena Authority 1:24:30 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the November minutes and received information items on University of Kentucky medical and research equipment purchases, five school districts reporting upcoming bond issues with no additional tax levies needed, and a School Facilities Construction Commission list of prior debt issues for fiscal year 2026. It then considered an appropriation increase for a University of Kentucky project at the Central Kentucky Regional Airport in Richmond. University officials said the project is 100% federally funded and will construct a terminal building tied to EKU’s airport operations and planned flight school. Members asked about the relationship to aviation expansion and whether the flight school would be publicly operated; the witnesses said EKU would operate it, public appropriations had already been applied, and student revenue would help offset costs. The committee approved the item by roll call vote. Next, the committee approved a University of Kentucky lease purchase for property at 415 West Sun Street in Morehead, Rowan County, for $6.4 million. UK said the property, which includes an 85,000-square-foot facility on 9.6 acres, is directly across from UK St. Clair and was offered by the Rowan County Board of Education after it moved to a new location. Members questioned why the payment schedule was structured as quarterly installments and why the price was below two appraisals; UK said the board requested the arrangement and did not want the full amount upfront, and there was no interest on the purchase price. The committee also approved this item. The deputy state budget director then reported three appropriation increases in the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet: a Ballard Wildlife Management Area pump station project, Lake Barkley State Resort Park emergency repairs, and Lake Barkley lodge wing exterior repairs. After questions, staff explained the Lake Barkley increases were mainly to cover construction contingencies because bids came in close to available funding. The committee approved the action items, then heard four no-action pool projects: HVAC upgrades at the FFA leadership training center in Hardinsburg, Kentucky School for the Blind’s McDaniel Scoggin building, KSD’s Brett Brady Hall, and a Kentucky State University Shanty Hall renovation for the School of Engineering Technology. Finally, the committee heard two real property items: a new CHFS lease in Wayne County and a Transportation Cabinet lease modification in Christian County. The Wayne County lease drew the most discussion, with members questioning the high per-square-foot cost and whether another county location could be used; CHFS said it maintains offices in every county seat, this lease would replace an existing 1977 office, and the new construction was negotiated down from a higher initial bid. The Christian County item was described as a replacement site for driver licensing space, with renovation costs partly absorbed by the lessor and the remainder amortized over the lease term.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:42.720><c> The</c> November estimates on the left. The November estimates on the left.
• ><c> the</c><00:04:58.000><c> current</c> Our revenue estimates for the current Our revenue estimates
• </c> Through January 26, individual estimated Through January 26, individual estimated tax<00:14:55.760
• </c> unchanged from previous estimates. unchanged from previous estimates.
• We estimate discretionary inflation.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: Minnesota Management and Budget officials presented the February 2026 budget and economic forecast, saying the state remains in a strong financial position but faces continued structural imbalance and significant uncertainty. Commissioner Aaron Campbell said the FY 2026-27 balance is now projected at more than $3.7 billion, up about $1.3 billion from November, and the FY 2028-29 planning period is projected to end with a $377 million positive balance. He emphasized that the improvement comes largely from higher projected revenues, especially individual income and corporate franchise taxes, but warned that the state is increasingly reliant on more volatile sources such as capital gains, interest income, and corporate profits. State Economist Dr. Anthony Becker said the national outlook improved slightly, with stronger projected GDP, consumer spending, and investment, but weaker payroll growth and ongoing trade-policy uncertainty. He noted that the forecast was complicated by missing federal data because of the federal shutdown, and that tariffs, immigration policy, equity markets, and possible AI-related shifts all present risks. Revenue projections were raised for the current biennium, including individual income tax receipts, sales tax revenue, corporate franchise tax revenue, and other revenues, while Becker stressed that federal funding threats, especially involving Medicaid and other entitlement programs, could materially alter the outlook. State Budget Director Anna Mingi said general fund spending in the current biennium is projected to be $68 million lower than previously estimated, but planning-year spending is up $152 million. The biggest spending changes came from education, where special education costs rose sharply after updated local spending data, and from human services, where a new prepayment review process for certain Medicaid benefits reduced projected spending by $133 million this biennium and $105 million in the next. She also said discretionary inflation is now estimated at $1.04 billion, up $104 million from November. Campbell closed by saying the state’s reserve remains at a record $3.8 billion and that Minnesota’s AAA bond rating and reserve policy help protect against downturns. He cautioned, however, that the long-term structural imbalance remains about $3.4 billion in the planning years, or $2.3 billion excluding discretionary inflation, and urged policymakers to offset any new spending with reductions. No votes or formal actions were taken; the meeting was a presentation and question-and-answer session on the forecast.

Transcript Highlights:

• And from 2020 to 2024, we estimated a 300 percent growth in Monterey County.
• Companies are required by regulation to give homeowners an estimating replacement-cost value estimate
• And on that renewal, it has the replacement-cost estimate.
• Norwood talked about, people are price shopping the Fair Plan now.
• It's at this price, and it has been reported oftentimes that price is substantially higher, and the consumer

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee held its first outcomes review oversight hearing on the residential fair plan clearinghouse program created by AB 3012. Chair and members focused on whether the program is actually helping depopulate the California Fair Plan and move policyholders back to the voluntary market. The Fair Plan and Department of Insurance testified that the program exists as a platform for admitted and, in some cases, non-admitted insurers to review Fair Plan policies and make offers through the broker of record, but they acknowledged limited participation and limited results. CDI said it has received no formal complaints specific to the clearinghouse, but identified obstacles including only 11 participating residential insurers, the broker-of-record requirement, compensation and appointment issues, and the lack of direct consumer contact. CDI said about 730 residential risks have moved to voluntary market coverage through the program from June 2021 through April 30, 2025, and opt-outs are under 1%. Committee members pressed witnesses on the program’s opacity, the lack of data on offers made versus policies actually moved, and whether the clearinghouse is functioning as intended. CDI and the Fair Plan said they do not have data on how many offers have been made, only on cancellations that are self-reported and marked as clearinghouse-related. Members also raised regional growth in Fair Plan enrollment, especially on the Central Coast, and concerns about underinsurance when policyholders move back to the regular market. CDI recommended more mandatory reporting, broader broker education, possible direct offers to policyholders after a period of time, and changes to commission and appointment rules to reduce barriers to insurer participation. The second panel of industry witnesses generally agreed the clearinghouse is not a stand-alone solution and said its effectiveness depends on a healthier admitted market and actuarially sound Fair Plan rates. Independent agents and brokers, admitted-market insurers, and surplus lines representatives said the current system is constrained by low rate adequacy, limited insurer appetite for high-risk properties, operational friction, and misaligned incentives. Several witnesses suggested improvements such as better data sharing, clearer depopulation procedures, stronger broker education, and more flexible appointment or compensation rules. Some supported giving the program more time under the Sustainable Insurance Strategy, while others said the Legislature should consider whether to strengthen, modify, or potentially sunset the program if it continues to produce limited results. A public witness later reported that a new carrier had recently joined the clearinghouse and was working with brokers to bring in additional capacity.