Transcript Highlights:

• We do have two chairs that are still empty. Um, um, two and a half, I guess.
• including uh all funds uh for the two including uh all funds uh for the two agencies.<00:03:52.640
• <00:05:18.000> 28 coordinators and then um on line 28 coordinators and then um on line 28
• Beneath those lines, you'll see beginning on line 26 that the House bill does not include direct grants
• It'll begin on number two.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Fifty-two miles from our converter station up to where we are today in Center, 345-kV AC line, and then
• The dashed red line is a 345 line that is currently under construction, and the dashed blue lines are
• the two Tandy... 45 line that is currently under construction and the dashed blue lines are the two
• Tandy-Welco two Saskatchewan lines that we are going to be going to the PSC here in late March on, so
• Um, um, yeah, testing one, two, check one, two. Testing one, two, check one, two. Thank you.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Energy Development and Transmission Committee met in interim session and approved the November 6 minutes. Chair Novak outlined the committee’s study agenda, including large energy users such as data centers, geothermal, landowner relations, wind and solar, and other energy topics across the state. The meeting was framed as informational only, with no bills or formal legislative action taken beyond the minutes approval. Testimony focused first on landowner relations. Oliver County Commissioner Dave Berger described the county’s energy history and local support for coal and related development. North Dakota Farmers Union President Matt Perdue emphasized proactive, face-to-face communication with landowners, respect for property rights, and the need for developers to be transparent about tradeoffs; he also discussed insurance and liability concerns tied to easements. Committee members asked about eminent domain, local versus state authority, and how communities can better understand the revenue and infrastructure implications of energy development. Department of Agriculture Deputy Commissioner Tom Bodine then described the department’s ombudsman programs for pipeline restoration and reclamation, wind restoration, and royalty oversight. He said the programs provide confidential, third-party assistance on reclamation and royalty disputes, but do not provide legal advice. Senators raised concerns about post-production deductions in royalty leases and whether the ombudsman can explain them; Bodine said the program can clarify statements and deductions but cannot resolve legal disputes. He also said the department has not received requests related to fiber lines. Representatives from Grid United and One Oak described their project development and landowner engagement practices. Grid United’s Brent Johnson discussed the North Plains Connector transmission project, its route selection process, voluntary acquisition approach, and efforts to avoid eminent domain by working closely with regulators, counties, townships, and landowners. One Oak’s Danette Welsh and Tom Giltner described the company’s midstream operations, extensive North Dakota footprint, and emphasis on direct landowner communication, consistent local regulation, careful construction practices, and post-construction reclamation. Members asked about setbacks, zoning consistency, invasive species prevention, outside advocacy groups, and eminent domain use; One Oak said it has not used eminent domain on its North Dakota projects, largely because most gathering lines are negotiated easements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, it's just more of a cleanup than anything. >> That's on page two, line five. >> And the party status
• Uh, it's just more of a cleanup than anything. >> That's on page two, line five. >> I think they love
• Uh, it's just more of a cleanup than anything. >> That's on page two, line five. >> And the party status
• Uh, it's just more of a cleanup than anything. >> That's on page two, line five. >> And the party status
• Line 19 removes ambiguity for when rulemaking begins because there's actually two different triggers

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > two<00:16:49.440> with<00:16:49.600> the<00:16:49.759> following line 49
• on page two with the following line 49 on page two with the following of<00:16:50.480> eligible
• Members, replace lines 49 through 51 on page two with the following: appropriations made by and at the
• 49 through 51 on page two. replace lines 49 through 51 on page two. uh<00:25:42.400> with<00:
• Uh replace line 53 on page two with the Uh replace line 53 on page two with the following<00:25:

Bills: HB589, HB591, HB609, HB614, SB57, SB280, SB332, HB589, HB591, HB609, HB614, SB57, SB280, SB332, HB627

Keywords: Jefferson County, building regulations, zoning, public health, building commissioner, permits, construction, land use, county tax, lodging tax, Henry County, transient accommodations, hospitality industry, local act, sheriff, sheriff's office, task force, abandoned property, stolen property, unclaimed property

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 67? Can I...
• Representative Brown concluded, “So we’re leveraging two of the line items with a significant federal
• leveraging two of the line<01:51:43.560> items<01:51:44.560> with<01:51:44.760> a
• We're just going to start on page one of the capital budget compare report and start with line two, the
• Yeah, where is this part of the line? Is this any particular line?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing and work session on House Bill 25A, the capital improvements appropriations bill, which Representative David Mills said was based on Governor Ayotte’s budget and included appropriations for capital improvements and extensions of prior appropriation lapses. The hearing drew testimony on several requested additions to the bill, with the chair noting the unusually large turnout and moving quickly through speakers. No questions were taken on the initial bill presentation, and the public hearing on HB 25A was later closed. The Community College System of New Hampshire asked for an additional $2.6 million, including $800,000 for IT infrastructure, $1.3 million for critical maintenance, and $500,000 for energy management systems. The witness said the money would address cybersecurity and online learning needs, replace failing boilers and a roof at several campuses, and prevent costly damage such as frozen pipes. The New Hampshire Veterans Home requested $1.5 million for ADA compliance and safety improvements, including floor replacement and wider doors, citing an upcoming VA inspection and the importance of preserving federal funding. Testimony also focused on career and technical education and airport funding. Milford CTE sought to keep $9.9 million in the budget for renovations after a local vote fell short, explaining the project had been scaled down from an earlier $60 million concept and that the school board wanted another chance to seek voter approval. On aviation, Concord, the New Hampshire Municipal Association, and Department of Transportation representatives urged restoring state matching funds for FAA airport grants, saying roughly $3.6 million in state money would leverage about $62 million to $65 million in federal funds for safety and infrastructure projects at public airports. Committee members asked about project selection, matching requirements, and the airport priority process, and witnesses said the program is driven by FAA-approved capital improvement plans and safety needs rather than business-return rankings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Article one, section two, beginning<00:43:12.160> on<00:43:12.400> line<00:43:12.720>
• Article 3, section 5 begins on line line line 23.10.<00:54:04.240> Uh<00:54:04.559> this
• On line line line 25.14,<00:55:42.559> this<00:55:42.880> is<00:55:43.119> a<00:
• beginning<01:03:24.559> on<01:03:24.720> line beginning section two beginning on
• line beginning section two beginning on line 41.2<01:03:25.920> 2.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• With those lateral lengths, you can see the green line that is actually decreasing is two-mile laterals
• With those lateral links, you can see the green line that is actually decreasing is two-mile laterals
• The total number of completions is the black line, and if you divide those two out, you come up with
• There's two sides of that.
• So those two taking place.

Summary: The committee met as the Regulatory Division budget section and first reviewed the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency’s budget and program update. Legislative Council outlined the agency’s base budget and historical funding, and Housing Finance staff reported on homeownership lending, housing incentive fund (HIF) awards, and homeless grant spending. Agency officials said the five new FTEs approved last session are mostly filled, with one homeless program manager still open. They described strong demand for HIF, noting that September 2025 multifamily requests exceeded $73 million while only $25 million was available, and that single-family and homeless programs are also heavily subscribed. Members discussed the agency’s local loan servicing workload, interest-rate benefits, down payment assistance, and the need to coordinate housing discussions with Commerce and site-preparation efforts. The agency asked that HIF, single-family, and homeless funding be maintained or increased, and committee members emphasized accountability and statewide access for homeless prevention and rapid rehousing funds. The Department of Mineral Resources then presented its budget and agency initiatives. Staff reported that the department is on track financially, that most of the five new reclamation-related FTEs are hired, and that litigation costs tied to oil and gas matters are expected to continue appearing late in the biennium. The director reviewed ongoing modernization and organizational efforts, including the North Star IT project, succession planning, training, and rulemaking for oil and gas and critical minerals. Members asked about longer laterals, spacing, and production trends; the department said operators are increasingly drilling three-, four-, and even an initial five-mile lateral, which is helping keep North Dakota oil production relatively flat even as rig counts ease. The director also discussed oil price volatility tied to Middle East conflict, hedging practices among producers, gas capture remaining around 95%, and the likelihood that current production levels will stay near flat unless prices or geopolitical conditions change significantly. An update on the enhanced oil recovery grant program followed. The Industrial Commission’s grant administrator said the full $25 million appropriation was allocated in the fall to six projects, and because the oil and gas research fund also had carryover and biennial tax revenue, total awards reached about $45.1 million. The projects are expected to run two to four years, with meaningful results not likely until mid-2026 or later. Members questioned whether the public would have access to the research findings and how accountability would be maintained; staff said the grants are reimbursement-based, require regular status reports, and will culminate in public final reports. The committee also heard from the North Dakota Pipeline Authority, which updated members on natural gas transmission projects, especially WBI Energy’s proposed Bakken East pipeline. The authority said the project has advanced through a nonbinding and then binding open season, with WBI now securing survey permissions and moving through regulatory and landowner processes, while other related gas transmission projects near Minot and Epping are also in development.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we've got those two line items there segregated. And I'll come back to it in the end.
• FY27 is year two. And then you see a two-year biennium, FY28 and 29.
• Year two is $3 million. And then for the two years is a minus six. Next two years is minus six.
• Year two is three million. And then for the two years is a minus six. Next two years is minus six.
• So one or the other on those two.

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum and approved the March 18 minutes before hearing a series of informational updates. The Petroleum Council reported that North Dakota oil production is expected to remain relatively flat at just under 1.2 million barrels per day, with activity shifting northward in the Bakken as technology improves and three- and four-mile laterals boost well performance. The presentation also discussed oil and gas prices, gas taxation, flaring concerns, the importance of pipelines and other linear infrastructure, and enhanced oil recovery pilot projects supported by state and federal funding. Members asked questions about gas production taxes, natural gas liquids, and the outlook for drilling rigs and future production. The Office of State Tax Commissioner then reviewed the federal “big beautiful bill” and its estimated effect on North Dakota individual and business income tax collections. Staff explained that most of the individual income tax impact comes from the permanent increase in the standard deduction, while temporary provisions such as senior deductions, tip and overtime exclusions, and auto loan interest deductions have smaller or limited-term effects. They also noted that business tax changes, especially depreciation and expensing provisions, create a larger near-term cash impact, and that some FY25 collections likely reflected one-time oil field transactions that may have inflated the baseline used in earlier estimates. OMB provided updates on major capital projects and facility funding. For Capitol grounds improvements, officials described plans for 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding upgrades, public seating, lighting, tree management, and possible restroom and lobby reconfiguration, while also noting the governor’s residence security project and the discovery of human remains on the Capitol grounds. OMB and its consultants also reported on the state facility maintenance fund, including window replacement, boiler work, roof and foundation repairs, and a new facility conditions assessment covering more state buildings. Updates were also given on the new state hospital in Jamestown, the Minot state office building, and the use of federal state fiscal recovery funds, including possible future reallocations to the Department of Corrections. Finally, Legislative Council staff summarized the interim compliance report on legislative intent and trust fund activity, highlighting the status of lines of credit, Bank of North Dakota profit transfers, the statewide litigation pool, the new Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship, corrections planning, HHS program updates, and a likely future general fund request for the unemployment insurance modernization project. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes; the meeting was primarily informational, with members asking clarifying questions throughout.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the net total for the general fund on line two shows an $8.649 million increase over base in fiscal
• The<00:10:42.880> next<00:10:43.040> two<00:10:43.279> lines<00:10:43.600> for
• <00:10:43.839> Mung<00:10:44.160> American The next two lines for Mung American The
• The next two lines are another extension for Ramsey County Pathway Program.
• The next two lines are another extension for Ramsey County Pathway Program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then, Chair and members, one change or state grant parameter changes, starting on line 79, line 81
• Moving on to page two, the third... moving to starting on line uh 55, which moving to starting on line
• <00:04:20.720> 79,<00:04:21.600> line changes, um, starting on line 79, line changes
• ,<00:05:35.199> the<00:05:35.520> third Moving on to page two, the third line down,
• day or two ago. Thank you, Mr. Chair. day or two ago. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• He gave us two reasons.
• We are here for two reasons.
• I have two eyes. I have two ears and I have a brain.
• Two weeks is enough.
• This is not just about lines on a map that were supposedly drawn by one person over the last two weeks

Summary: The Senate convened in special session and took up Senate Bill 8D / House Bill 1D, which would establish Florida’s congressional districts. The sponsor, Sen. Gates, explained that the Governor had transmitted a redistricting plan two days earlier and argued that mid-decade redistricting is legally permissible, citing population growth and the Governor’s view that race-based districting is unconstitutional. Much of the floor time was spent in extended questioning about the process, the lack of public hearings compared with prior redistricting cycles, the use of population estimates from the Census/EDR/ACS, compactness scores, and whether the Governor’s office used partisan data or outside consultants. Gates repeatedly said he was relaying the Governor’s proposal and legal theory rather than offering his own legal opinion, and he said any constitutional challenge would be for the courts. A major portion of the debate focused on the U.S. Supreme Court’s newly issued Calais decision and its implications for the Fair Districts Amendment and the Voting Rights Act. Senators questioned whether the decision struck down Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, whether it affected Florida’s constitutional ban on partisan gerrymandering, and whether the Legislature should postpone action to review the ruling. A motion to temporarily postpone the bill failed by voice vote and then by recorded vote, 12 yeas to 23 nays. Senators also raised concerns that the proposed map cracked minority communities, including Latino and Black populations in Central Florida and Tampa Bay, and that it would produce a heavily Republican-leaning map despite the state’s voter registration mix. After debate on the Senate bill, the chamber substituted the identical House companion bill, read it a third time, and proceeded to final debate. Opponents argued the map was an illegal partisan gerrymander, was based on assumptions rather than verified data, and would likely lead to litigation. Supporters maintained that the Governor had authority to propose a congressional map, that the plan was race-neutral, and that the Legislature could accept, reject, or amend it. The transcript ends during continued debate on House Bill 1D, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have two two questions. Mr. Chairman. I have two two questions.
• It's, we're looking at line 12, line 19, and line 26, right?
• It's, we're looking at line 12, line 19, and line 26, right?
• It's, we're looking at line 12, line 19, and line 26, right?
• /c><02:07:41.920> the uh starting on line 11 of page two, the uh starting on line 11 of page two

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Page one, line one, strike follows.
• We have two basic goals, members.
• We have two basic goals forward.
• transferred to them two years ago. transferred to them two years ago.
• seven, lines 12 through 17 has a lines seven, lines 12 through 17 has a $100,000<00:16:29.519> cap

Bills: HF2438

Keywords: transportation finance, transportation policy, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Metropolitan Council, highway funding, trunk highway fund, county state-aid highway fund, municipal state-aid street fund, state aid roads, local roads, bridge funding, road construction, transit funding, passenger rail, freight rail, aviation, airport development, safe routes to school

Transcript Highlights:

• On line 543, there is $17.6 million for safety net providers, and then the other two lines are administrative
• On line 543, there is $17.6 million for safety net providers, and then the other two lines are administrative
• <00:36:32.800> lines<00:36:33.800> are<00:36:33.960> administrative other two
• lines are administrative other two lines are administrative funding.
• On line 694, there are two proposals at MMB.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Two of the specific lines of funding, the agency exhausted for supportive services and for congregate
• I'd also like to point out to the committee that there are two line items that are both labeled false
• I'd also like to point out to the committee that there are two line items that are both labeled false
• The appropriation that's listed on line two is for payments for foster care placements of children who
• So the two lines above it, Medicaid expansion, medical services, prescription drugs, and then medical

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So on line 15, the governing body shall hold two public hearings.
• So on line 15, the governing body shall hold two public hearings.
• So on line 15, the governing body shall hold two public hearings.
• 15 the governing body shall uh on line 15 the governing body shall hold<01:39:17.840> two<01:
• I'm waiting for Jess to catch up with us on line 4. Change it 90 to 45 on line 19.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One is impacts from two bills.
• , Moving down to line uh, Moving down to line uh, 50,<00:03:29.840> there<00:03:30.000>
• and lines 26, the then at lines 23 and lines 26, the impersonation<00:04:19.519> of<00:04:19.640
• A judicial security unit that's two FTE positions on line eight of $312,000 per year.
• That brings us to the top of page two. That brings us to the top of page two.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Conference Committee on Senate File 3432 met on May 15, 2026, and first approved a motion to continue meeting past midnight. Members then reviewed the public safety and judiciary budget agreement, including funding for non-fatal shooting clearance grants, a domestic violence task force, services for released adults and juveniles, trafficking prevention for youth, corrections bed impacts from assault and theft-related provisions, increased Philando Castile training reimbursements, and transfers into the Victims of Crime Account. The committee also noted that some items were removed because they had already passed as stand-alone bills, including impersonation of a peace officer and the grooming penalty, and that the first responder uniform ID task force would not be funded in this bill. Policy provisions discussed for the public safety side included a domestic violence response task force, trafficking and sexual exploitation prevention grants, juvenile re-entry services, the Minnesota clearance grant program, the Philando Castile Memorial Training Fund, confidentiality for victim statements to the Clemency Review Commission, the fourth-degree assault amendment for hospital or clinic security guards, the enhanced penalty for theft from a vulnerable adult, child sexual abuse material venue and evidence provisions, and revised language on prediction markets and the Attorney General’s administrative subpoena authority. The chair also said the committee had to make late fixes to some stakeholder-requested changes and expressed frustration about the timing. The committee then reviewed the safety and security budget agreement, which included funding for judicial security, a judicial security unit, security threat response, safe and secure courthouse grants, appeals court and district court security, state patrol deficiency funding, capital security screening and enhancements, legislative protective services, BCA threat assessment and investigation, a security services task force, legislative security reimbursements, and security for constitutional officers. The agreement also included technical court reallocation adjustments and DNR carry-forward authority for certain non-budgeted public safety costs incurred in 2026. After no public testimony was offered, the committee adopted both the public safety budget agreement and the safety and security budget agreement, directed non-partisan staff to prepare the conference committee report with technical and conforming changes, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the existing line of credit.
• This is kind of an indication of the green line shows you the two-mile laterals and the three-mile laterals
• There's a line that goes from Tauga to Minot, a lot. There's a line that goes from Tauga to Minot.
• They want that line to go north.
• start being formed off this line.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee received a compliance and status update on Industrial Commission programs and the Bank of North Dakota. Staff reviewed appropriations and spending for several Industrial Commission funds and grant programs, including lignite research, oil and gas research, clean sustainable energy, grid resiliency, salt cavern analysis, and the new NDSU research and technology park grant. Members discussed the timing of reimbursements, uncommitted balances, and the structure of the pipeline capacity and enhanced oil recovery funding. The Industrial Commission also reported on its administrative budget, grant management system project, and recent leadership transitions across several agencies. Karen Tyler of the Industrial Commission described active grant rounds and the status of major projects. She said the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority approved three projects in its sixth round, with remaining uncommitted cash and loan capacity still available, though no new funding was appropriated this session. She also said the Oil and Gas Research Council approved six enhanced oil recovery projects and expects additional funding after a federal Department of Energy award replaces one project’s state funding. For grid resiliency grants, she said some projects have been funded, some commitments were returned or reallocated, and some DOE funds remain pending. She also updated the committee on the salt cavern business case study, which replaced an earlier larger development proposal, and on the NDSU research park grant, where the nonmatching portion was paid and the matching portion has moved slowly because the match must be in cash. Ron Ness then gave an extended presentation on enhanced oil recovery and North Dakota oil and gas trends. He said production remains steady, but future growth depends on infrastructure, especially gas takeaway and projects like the Bakken East pipeline. He argued that enhanced oil recovery using CO2, natural gas, surfactants, and other methods could extend Bakken production for decades, but that the state needs more CO2 supply, better storage, and updated tax and regulatory incentives. Members asked about lateral lengths, CO2 availability, pipeline impacts, and the role of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and Ness emphasized that the projects are intended to share technical learning across operators and attract follow-on investment. The Bank of North Dakota then presented its compliance report and strategic update. President Don Morgan said the bank’s mission remains to support North Dakota agriculture, commerce, and industry while cooperating with the state’s financial sector. He reviewed the bank’s main business lines: participation lending with community institutions, student loans, disaster lending, mission-based programs, and a new fintech-focused effort. Morgan said deposits are flattening, so the bank is managing balance sheet growth carefully, while still reporting improved net income and strong efficiency. He also introduced Rough Rider Coin as a bank-to-bank payment rail, not a public cryptocurrency, intended to speed and modernize payments within North Dakota’s banking and credit union system. Committee members asked about student loan eligibility, disaster program use, and how credit lines and liquidity would be affected if deposits shrink.

Transcript Highlights:

• Line two shows uh the Northern bill.
• Line two shows uh the Northern Lights<00:04:40.800> Express<00:04:41.199> Passenger<00:
• can see that section On line three, you can see that section two<00:04:45.520> of<00:04:45.680
• So where was the amount of money taken out on line two? Where is that shown on the spreadsheet?
• Where is that shown on the on line two? Where is that shown on the spreadsheet?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I experienced losing two brother police officers in the line of duty.
• I experienced losing two brother police officers in the line of duty.
• Thankfully, he survived for several years. who took two bullets in the line of duty, but thankfully survived
• But thankfully, survived for several years. who took two bullets in a line of duty, but thankfully survived
• all four subway lines.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hybrid hearing on 31 bills covering driver privacy and data, distinctive license plates, public awareness signage, railroad safety, superload permitting, TNC/delivery data reporting, and MBTA safety measures. Chairs Jim Arciero and Brendan Crighton outlined the hearing process, and the committee heard testimony from state officials, advocates, family members of fallen officers and firefighters, transportation industry representatives, civil liberties groups, and others. No votes were taken during the hearing itself, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn. Several speakers supported bills creating a Blue Star Family license plate to honor families of fallen law enforcement officers, and a separate motorcycle plate for fallen firefighters. Colonel Jeffrey Noble and others from the Healey-Driscoll Administration and law enforcement groups said the plates would complement existing memorial practices and provide a lasting public tribute. Family members of officers killed in the line of duty gave emotional testimony in support, and Representative Steve Ultrino and Paul Jakes backed the firefighter memorial motorcycle plate as revenue-neutral, with proceeds supporting the fallen firefighter memorial. The committee also heard testimony on transportation policy and safety bills. Industry witnesses urged modernization of Massachusetts superload permitting rules, saying current requirements are slower and more expensive than neighboring states and delay public projects. Advocates supported a human trafficking awareness bill requiring hotline signage in transit facilities, a driver privacy bill limiting automatic license plate reader data retention and sharing, and a bill requiring two-person crews on freight trains and other railroad safety measures such as hotbox detectors and transportation for railroad employees. Senator John Keenan also testified for expanded naloxone availability in MBTA stations and said the MBTA had not fully complied with prior legislative directives.