Transcript Highlights:

• reduction to that original appropriation reduction to that original appropriation of<00:08:47.120
• appropriation but just the eligibility. appropriation but just the eligibility.
• <00:12:31.600> $4 original 4 million appropriate $4 original 4 million appropriate $4 million
• <00:12:32.399> appropriation.
• appropriates appropriates $250,000<00:18:14.320> higher<00:18:14.720> each<00:18:15.120

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then direct appropriations in the number of 136 valued at a larger sum, $268 million.
• the top and striking the appropriate the top and striking the appropriate balance<00:03:26.879><
• He noted that DEED has 136 directed appropriations from the legislature, totaling $268 million.
• <00:45:59.200> and applies to direct Appropriations and applies to direct Appropriations and
• <00:50:10.400> so competitive and direct Appropriations so competitive and direct Appropriations

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• At the commission meeting and documented appropriately.
• What is the ROI for North Dakota state appropriations to NDUS?
• We certainly know how much the legislature is appropriating.
• Would it be the appropriations committee?
• And I feel that that's the appropriate way to go.

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:

• That's it for the appropriations.
• <00:15:51.519> um law that's it for the Appropriations um law that's it for the Appropriations
• <00:19:43.919> um projects that were still appropriated um projects that were still appropriated
• did receive a $150,000 appropriation.
• did receive a $150,000 appropriation.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On AB 1332 Aarons the motion is due passed to the Committee on Appropriations. Berman? Aye.
• On AB 671 Wicks the motion is due passed to the Committee on Appropriations. Berman? Aye.
• To the Committee on Appropriations. Berman? Aye. Flora? Aarons? Aye. Alanis? Baines?
• On AB 714, Fong, the motion was due passed to the committee on appropriateness.
• On AB 1271 Bonta, the motion was do pass as amended to the Committee on Appropriations.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The roof for Lake Region, the House put in appropriated $3.2 million for the roof.
• House Appropriations gave it a do not pass and did not include an appropriation for that issue.
• I thought there wasn't appropriation on there. Yeah, we didn't take it off.
• Chairman, no, there's no appropriation in that bill.
• So full House Appropriations did not adopt an amendment, is my understanding.

Bills: SB2003

Keywords: higher education, student loans, scholarships, capital projects, workforce development, funding, North Dakota university system, 908, all

Summary: The committee met to work through the higher education budget, beginning with a conflict-of-interest request from Representative Martinson, who was excused from voting because of a partnership that leases office space to Bismarck State College. Members then reviewed the higher education institution budget sheets, covering ongoing and one-time funding items for campuses and system projects such as BSC housing, Lake Region roof repairs, UND’s STEM and National Security Crossroads projects, the UND allied health facility, NDSU projects including New Horizons, DSU deferred maintenance and campus security, Mayville’s Old Main, Minot projects, and the regional health institutes. Members also discussed student financial assistance, the professional student exchange program, IT security funding, and workforce/education innovation grants. Several amendments and policy questions were debated. The committee adopted an amendment to make workforce education innovation grants competitive rather than automatically distributed, and then voted to remove language prohibiting those funds from being used to duplicate academic programs. Members also removed similar anti-duplication language from the New Horizons section. They agreed to extend the UND hyperbaric chamber transfer authority to 2027 and clarified language around UND land-sale proceeds. A proposed amendment to add $5.6 million for the Wahpeton State School of Science building purchase failed for lack of a second, and a proposal to restore fetal alcohol spectrum disorder funding to UND was left for conference. The committee also discussed, but did not add, a tuition cap change, a study on the Praxis exam, and several governance-related provisions. The committee spent significant time on broader higher education policy items, including a $3 million enterprise resource planning request for the university system, a $2 million grant program for students who are pregnant, recently gave birth, or are caring for young children, and a $1.1 million request for library age-verification software tied to the Odin system. Members also discussed dual-credit authority for UND and NDSU, a goal for the UND medical school to increase North Dakota resident enrollment, and intent language regarding the commissioner/chancellor model and presidential search authority. At the end of the meeting, the committee approved the amendments and then gave the higher education budget a do-pass recommendation as amended, with Representative Sanford designated as the carrier. The Forest Service budget was also approved, including two additional FTEs, and the committee adjourned after noting it would continue with other budgets the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Appropriation bills, big bills, all kinds of legislation, and he was one of the individuals that could
• Cooper has testified, we have the highest quality, highest qualified workforce assigned appropriately
• Even though the money has been appropriated.
• Do you think it's ever appropriate to fire an employee, let's say, providing expert service at the VA
• ... ...then they will be appropriately reviewed and the president will have an opportunity to make a

Keywords: nominations, Scott Cooper, Eric Ulan, federal workforce, Office of Personnel Management, Office of Management and Budget, accountability, collective bargaining

Summary: The committee convened to discuss the nominations of Scott Cooper for Director of the Office of Personnel Management and Eric Ulan for Deputy Director at the Office of Management and Budget. This meeting highlighted the critical roles both positions play in managing the federal workforce, which comprises over two million civilian employees. Concerns were raised regarding the current administration's approach to federal employment, citing issues like mass firings and the undermining of collective bargaining rights. Members expressed the need for better accountability and transparency within the federal system, emphasizing the importance of attracting talented public servants.

Transcript Highlights:

• Item six relates to the agency's appropriation out of the opioid abatement account.
• , not including GR appropriations.
• , but again, I'll get my staff to give you that exact number that y'all have to appropriate.
• I think y'all may have appropriated about 10% of that.
• Senator Paxton: Well, and I think also the proper equipment would be very appropriate.

Bills: SB 1, SB1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• President, a basic overview of the General Appropriations Act.
• This budget also includes a $7.5 million non-recurring appropriation. $7.5 million non-recurring appropriation
• We have $27.8 million appropriated for the KidCare/FHK premium stabilization.
• , you know, a decision on a specific appropriation every year.
• Thank you to all the appropriation staff for answering my questions.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved to the conference report on House Bill 501E, the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026-27. Budget chairs presented the major spending areas, describing a $114.5 billion overall budget that they said was fiscally responsible and below the prior year’s spending. Highlights included pay increases and retirement adjustments for public safety employees, education funding for K-12, higher education, health and human services, criminal justice, transportation, environmental programs, and agriculture/regulatory agencies. Members then questioned chairs on several items. In education, senators discussed K-12 declining enrollment funding, teacher salary set-asides, private school scholarship spending, mental health funding, preeminence funding for universities, the Hamilton Center at UF, and charter school PICO funding. In health and human services, questions focused on the iBudget waiver waitlist, provider rates, ADAP/HIV funding and the return of Biktarvy to the formulary, KidCare, rural health funding, SNAP-related IT and error reduction efforts, and the IDD managed care program. In criminal justice, senators asked about correctional officer pay, prison staffing and infrastructure, air conditioning in prisons, juvenile justice facilities, law enforcement recruitment, and court system funding. Environmental and transportation questions covered Florida Forever, water quality, state parks, water projects, housing, elections funding, and emergency management. Several specific actions and explanations were given during debate: the budget includes $8.8 million for state attorney competitive area differentials but no funding for public defender CAD requests; assistant state attorneys will start at $70,000 and assistant public defenders at $65,000; the battery disposal issue was described as a temporary study/preemption approach; and the Senate said the budget does not fund Medicaid expansion, preeminence funding, or the SunBucks Summer EBT state share. Senators also noted that some proposals discussed in committee did not make it into the final budget. The transcript ends with debate statements from members praising the budget process and Chair Hooper, while also expressing concerns about public schools, health care access, affordability, and the lack of funding for certain priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• appropriate committees. appropriate committees.
• Refer to appropriations. appropriations. appropriations.
• And um are until the appropriate time.
• We're going to start with appropriations. appropriations. appropriations.
• 1 p.m. in the Appropriations meeting at 1 p.m. in the Appropriations Hearing<00:29:17.360> Room

Keywords: House streaming session for Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 130 members present, approved the previous day’s journal, and read several groups of introductory House bills and a bond initiative, referring them to the appropriate committees. Senate bills were also introduced in the House and assigned to committees. The chamber then took up House Bill 1, concerning limits on cost recovery for investor-owned electric and gas utilities, with debate focused on whether the bill would reduce ratepayer costs or interfere with utility compensation and grid reliability. Two amendments to HB 1 were debated and both failed by roll call after floor leaders argued they would undermine the bill’s purpose of protecting ratepayers. One amendment would have allowed utilities to seek approval from the Public Service Commission to exceed pay or bonus limits for vital workers; supporters said it would preserve flexibility to retain critical employees and maintain reliability, while opponents said any extra compensation should come from shareholders, not ratepayers. A second amendment sought to exempt frontline workers involved in system reliability, emergency response, and storm restoration; supporters said it would protect the grid and allow quick response in emergencies, while opponents again said it would shift costs back onto ratepayers. The House also heard extended questioning about utility rates, PSC approval, and broader energy costs, including references to Empower charges and infrastructure expenses. After the amendment debate, the House voted to special order HB 1 for a later time, allowing additional amendment opportunities, and the bill was set aside. The session then moved to committee announcements, including briefings and bill hearings for Appropriations, Economic Matters, Environment and Transportation, Government, Labor, and Elections, Health, Judiciary, and Ways and Means, along with several subcommittee meetings later in the day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tracy Secretary by appropriate 2506 act related to natural resources by appropriation.
• The Secretary, SB 2500, an act related to appropriation by the Committee on Appropriations, as 2500,
• General Appropriations Act.
• General Appropriations Act.
• Cantella, Secretary, by Appropriations and Appropriations Committee on Pre-K 12 Education CS for Senate

Bills: HJR 99, HB 1399, HB 1400, HB 1094, HB 365, HB 1109, HB 647, HCR 35, SB 14, HB 12, HB 1522, HB 422, HB 675, HB 204, HB 748, HB 912, HJR 99, HB 1399, HB 1400, HB 1094, HB 365, HB 1109, HB 647, HCR 35, HCR 123, HCR 124, HR 57, HR 87, HR 111, HR 228, HR 230, HR 322, HR 624, HR 625, HR 626, HR 627, HR 628, HR 630, HR 631, HR 634, HR 635, HR 636, HR 637, HR 638, HR 639, HR 640, HR 645, HR 646, HR 648, HR 649, HR 651, HR 652, HR 653, HR 654, HR 664, HR 665, HR 668, HR 675, HR 676, HR 678, HR 679, HR 680, HR 683, HR 686, HR 688, HR 689, HR 694, HR 695, HR 697, HR 698, HR 699, HR 472, HR 622, HR 632, HR 633, HR 643, HR 655, HR 657, HR 660, HR 661, HR 662, HR 663, HR 667, HR 670, HR 674, HR 681, HR 682, HR 696

Keywords: animal feed, tax exemption, ad valorem taxation, retail, constitutional amendment, retail sale, tangible personal property, Texas tax code, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption, regulation, deceased transportation, HB 365

Transcript Highlights:

• Appropriate notice will be posted.
• will post appropriate will post appropriate notice<01:25:50.360> and<01:25:51.080> uh<
• permit so this this appropriation permit so this this appropriation specifically<01:28:56.480>
• which is attached prior Appropriations which is attached prior Appropriations have<01:29:05.600>
• <01:30:26.719> we're right now um the appropriation we're right now um the appropriation we're

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Energy and Environmental Protection heard several measures focused on water quality, waste management, aquifer protection, wastewater, and climate-related funding. SB 984 on water pollution drew opposition from DLNR and the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, with the latter arguing the bill could unfairly blame landowners for runoff caused by terrain and storm events; the chair noted there were also supporters and commenters submitted in writing. SB 639 on underground storage tanks received support from the Department of Health, the Board of Water Supply, and the Sierra Club, with testimony emphasizing environmental restoration standards after jet fuel releases; no opposition was noted in the live testimony. SB 946 on wastewater management was presented as clarifying that the ban on discharging wastewater or raw sewage into state waters applies to treatment plants, and it drew support from the County of Maui, DOH, and Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition, with no questions or opposition raised in the hearing. The committee also heard SB 438 on waste disposal facilities near significant aquifers. DOH and the Water Commission offered comments, while the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services opposed the bill because of a provision affecting ash recycling; the Board of Water Supply and Sierra Club supported the measure, and the Makakilo-Kapolei-Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board and Energy Justice Network raised concerns about fly ash and bottom ash recycling, landfill capacity, and potential contamination of aquifers. Testimony reflected a split between environmental protection concerns and arguments that the bill could block beneficial reuse of ash. The committee then took up HB 1395 on state funds, which would direct interest from the Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund to the general fund when the reserve exceeds the state’s target. The Governor’s office, emergency management, the State Energy Office, the Hawaiʻi Green Infrastructure Authority, the Nature Conservancy, and several other groups supported the bill’s climate-resilience intent, while the Tax Foundation and committee discussion raised concerns that the measure functioned mainly as a revenue transfer without a dedicated spending mechanism. Members discussed whether a special fund or legislative appropriation process would better ensure the money was used for climate mitigation and related projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Ways and Means, to whom was referred the Senate bill making appropriations for fiscal
• Total appropriation: $536,832,564.
• certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects, Senate No. 2540.
• certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects, Senate No. 2540.
• appropriations and for certain other activities and projects, Senate No. 2540, as amended, comes from

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House met in joint session, suspended Joint Rule 12 for several petitions, and then took up a series of local bills reported by the Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling. Those bills included authorizing the town of Avon to appoint a town clerk, allowing the City of Revere to pay a sum to Denise Manatra, widow of school committee member Anthony Manatra, and validating the results of a special election in Hardwick. The House suspended Rule 7A, gave the bills second readings, ordered them to a third reading, and later passed House No. 972, authorizing the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to supply water to the Linfield Center Water District, to be engrossed. The major substantive action was on Senate No. 2540, a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill. The Committee on Ways and Means recommended passage with a full substitute amendment contained in House Document No. 4265, totaling $536,832,564. The House adopted the amendment, ordered the bill to a third reading, and then passed it to be engrossed as amended. When the Senate returned the bill with notice that it had nonconcurred in the House amendment and appointed a conference committee, the House voted to insist on its amendment and also appointed its own conference committee members: Mr. Mike Woods of Boston, Ms. Ferrante of Gloucester, and Mr. Smola of Warren. The House then adopted an order to adjourn until Wednesday at 11 a.m., with notice of a Democratic caucus at noon and roll calls at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• appropriations, but— The Appropriations Committee does not The Appropriations Committee does not always
• The 25-26 biennium appropriations, I would say, are an outlier of your historical appropriations.
• That was appropriate. appropriate. appropriate.
• This is the appropriate place to do it in the appropriate topic.
• This is the appropriate place to do it in the appropriate topic.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee on Appropriations for now, code orderly should please call the roll. >> Chair Hooper here
• We're going to go next to Spb 7, 0, 2, 4, by appropriations relating to state planning and budgeting.
• expenditure reporting back to us back to the appropriations committees and this will happen.
• We're gonna have to pay appropriate salaries to hire the right people.
• I missed somebody who's worked in the AG and natural resources, appropriations space.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, House File 821 is a bill to continue appropriations that will help supply safe drinking water to
• So with me today is Jay Ides from MCEA to speak more about the proposal. file 821 would appropriate $
• due to clean water fund Appropriations due to clean water fund Appropriations to<00:03:43.080>
• <00:04:01.959> just uh so this bill would appropriate just uh so this bill would appropriate
• second part of that appropriation second part of that appropriation language<00:09:24.120> directed

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• it just seems like an appropriate it just seems like an appropriate benefit. benefit. benefit.
• appropriation, no longer necessary<04:06:01.760> or<04:06:02.000> appropriate.
• <04:06:02.479> Footnote necessary or appropriate. Footnote necessary or appropriate.
• , appropriation, appropriation, >> please?
• are an additional appropriation. are an additional appropriation.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's known as an estimated appropriation, an E appropriation.
• Do they have to have this appropriation with that staying appropriated language?
• I think also part of it is looking at legislation on what is appropriate and not appropriate for drones
• Well, that's obviously a new technology. ...on what is appropriate and not appropriate for drones.
• But we, I mean, we're appropriating.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:17:06.079> This appropriated to which agency. This appropriated to which agency.
• <00:17:09.679> The the appropriations process. The the appropriations process.
• defer or withhold appropriated funds. defer or withhold appropriated funds.
• It's an appropriations law.
• <00:57:03.520> And already uh uh appropriated?" And already uh uh appropriated?"

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing on the rule of law with U.S. Representative Ed Case. Chair Carl Rhodes opened by explaining the purpose of the briefing, noting it was being livestreamed and that public testimony would not be taken in the usual way. He described the rule of law as central to democracy and introduced Case, who was invited to discuss the concept and its relevance to recent federal actions affecting Hawaii. Case framed the rule of law as a durable system grounded in the Constitution, federal laws, separation of powers, and checks and balances, with each branch of government and the public itself playing a role. He emphasized that Congress makes the laws, the president executes them, and the courts decide whether the Constitution and laws are being followed. He also stressed that elected officials swear to uphold this structure and that the rule of law is distinct from ordinary policy disagreements. Case then argued that the Trump administration has undermined the rule of law through actions such as dismantling or weakening agencies created and funded by law, withholding appropriated funds, removing inspectors general and other independent officials, ignoring or challenging court orders, weakening the independence of agencies like the Department of Justice and the Federal Reserve, and intimidating dissenting voices, the press, and other opponents. He said these actions have harmed Hawaii and reflect a coordinated effort to concentrate power in the executive branch. He noted that Congress has not been serving as an effective check, while federal courts have been the main remaining check through more than 46 lawsuits, and he identified voters as the ultimate check and balance, briefly correcting the timing of the next midterm election to 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• So u safe and protect us appropriately.
• <00:16:05.360> you appropriation you you mentioned you appropriation you you mentioned you
• for three years after the appropriation for three years after the appropriation is<00:20:06.760>
• amount that was asked to be appropriated amount that was asked to be appropriated for<00:41:53.839
• And then it doesn't appropriation.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on proposed improvements to the New Hampshire State Police gun range and training facility. Commissioner Robert Quinn and Major Brendan Davy said the range is used for realistic, scenario-based training that cannot be replicated at a standard static range, including movement, use of cover, vehicle-based drills, elevation, and training under elevated heart rates and stress. They said the facility is important not only for state troopers but also for local and federal partners, and that it is used regularly for qualifications, requalification, and special unit training. Members asked about specific limitations and costs. Major Davy said the PSTC range is handgun-caliber only because the backstop is not rifle-rated, and local law enforcement can use the State Police range for qualification. Representative Kazinski questioned the size and cost of the project, and Public Works Director Theodore Copper then explained the estimate: $1.5 million for building and site work, plus soft costs, utilities, design, and inflation, bringing the total to $2.3 million. He said the proposed facility would include office space, two classrooms, restrooms, and heating and air conditioning, and that the estimate was reasonable. The committee also heard from Milford School District Superintendent Christy Misho in support of CTE funding. She said Milford has been working for years to secure support for an applied technology center renovation, that prior local bond efforts fell short of the required threshold, and that the district now plans a CTE-only local bond of about $4 million while seeking $10 million from the state. She argued the investment is needed to modernize outdated equipment and support workforce training, and said the district remains committed to the project. In work session action, the committee corrected a prior vote on the Pease Development Authority warehouse removal and replacement project, increasing the amount by $353,300 to $1,973,300 and raising the agency subtotal to $4,155,300. The committee also approved adding two Community College System items: $500,000 for an energy management system and $1.3 million for critical maintenance, for a total addition of $1.8 million. No objections were raised to these motions.