Transcript Highlights:

• So we have used up most all of the service life in our payments, in our bridges, and you can see that
• If you just drive around a little bit and look at the payments at all or some of the structures at all
• It doesn't include that; it is just preservation, but it does include payments, bridges, and all the
• We set up payment plans. We try to encourage them to pay. Some are willing. Some are not.
• They also arrange payment plans. For next steps, they lumped in some additional items.

Summary: The committee received a detailed staff presentation on Washington State Ferries’ capital needs, current fleet status, and long-range funding outlook. Staff described the current service pattern, ridership recovery since the pandemic, the aging fleet, and the state’s plan to add three new hybrid-electric Olympic-class vessels under the 2025 budget, with delivery expected around 2030-2032. Members also heard that the fleet is operating with no reserve vessel, that preservation time is below the desired level, and that terminal electrification and vessel conversion plans face timing, cost, and procurement risks. Questions focused on ridership trends, biofuel supply, design-risk allocation in vessel contracts, sequencing of terminal electrification with new vessel delivery, and the cost and feasibility of restoring international Sidney service, which would require a SOLAS-certified vessel. Staff then outlined ferry capital funding, saying recent spending and programmed needs are far above regular ferry-specific revenues and that the system relies on a mix of dedicated accounts, transportation package money, federal grants, and transfers. They said the near-term budget is balanced through 2027-29, but the longer-term capital outlook shows a shortfall of roughly $250 million to $300 million per biennium, with broader unmet needs much higher. The presentation estimated costs for future vessels, life extensions, terminal electrification, and additional Jumbo Mark II conversions, and noted that the current enacted plan does not fully fund fleet replacement, full electrification, or life extension of older vessels. Members asked for follow-up information on terminal seismic/environmental issues, contract options for additional vessels, and the timing and cost of alternative vessel designs. The committee then shifted to WSDOT maintenance and preservation. Pascoe Focktich described maintenance operations, including winter response, guardrail repair, facilities, equipment, and the effects of underfunding and inflation. He said most of the maintenance budget is fixed cost and labor, that material prices have risen sharply, and that many facilities are in poor condition with asbestos issues and deferred upkeep. He also noted growing guardrail damage, increasing pavement claims, and the burden of maintaining aging bridges and facilities. Members asked about prior planning for these needs, the role of asbestos, and whether more proactive sequencing could help budget decisions. Troy Suing then presented the highway preservation program, saying WSDOT is in the early stages of critical failure and has stretched preservation dollars as far as possible. He explained the distinction between pavement, bridge, and other highway asset preservation, said the department is largely reactive, and estimated that delaying work can make it three to five times more expensive later. He said about 40% of roadways are currently due or overdue for preservation, bridge conditions are nearing the federal poor-bridge threshold, and the department’s 10-year preservation need is about $8 billion. Members asked about the cost of deferring work, whether the department could do more if funded, how priorities are set, and whether other states face similar problems. Finally, Evan Grimm and Mike Fay briefed the committee on bridge strikes by overheight vehicles. They described recent incidents on I-90 near Cle Elum and SR 410 near White River, the damage and closures caused, and possible countermeasures such as public outreach, improved trip-planning tools, and a pilot warning system with sensors and flashing beacons. Fay explained the state’s financial recovery process for third-party damage, saying WSDOT recovers roughly $20 million per biennium and about 78% to 80% of billed damages, with money going to the motor vehicle fund. Members asked about prevention, insurance recovery, and whether the state uses claim data to inform future design or safety changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes a significant increase from other revenues, such as payments for Medicaid, Medicare, and
• one of the first big changes. that you'll see on slide nine are the changes to the state-directed payments
• Medicaid program, matched it with Medicaid revenue, and sent it back out in the form of a directed payment
• 26 that we're projecting hospitals are going to get, they're going to phase down these directed payments
• So, this just gives you an idea of the state-directed payments to hospitals and nursing facilities when

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll explain how meal programs work and how the payment mechanisms work, highlight the various organizations
• model through the prospective payment system, allowing us to cover costs that may not be traditionally
• This rolls into the prospective payment system, which has allowed us to do some great things.
• In those cases, the reality is that MCO's insurance companies profit from delaying payments.
• So, in CCBHC, that's kind of the federal model; the way the prospective payment rate is based on your

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The National Housing Coalition says 30% of what you make should be your house payment.
• Down payment assistance; Housing New Mexico has DPA.
• It's something that allows for affordability, right, to bring those monthly payments down.
• It's the cheapest option for folks to get qualified, with the lowest down payment and the lowest closing
• Back in the day, I think you needed actually a $20,000 down payment to qualify for the federal loans,

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Why is there a difference in the payment rate between the... care unit is attached to a nursing home
• find out that I was actually right about this one what why why is there a difference in the in the payment
• rate between the In the payment rate between this population and the usual basic care rate, Mr.
• Part of that was that when you do federal research, there's an F&E that you get back, a payment that
• And this is really a huge part of our per-pupil payment. Very, very important.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 2271, which would formally place adult residential facilities in code and rebase their Medicaid reimbursement rates. Sponsor Chairman Ruby and HHS staff explained that these facilities, often serving people with dementia or acquired brain injury, are reimbursed at a much lower rate than skilled nursing care and help reduce bottlenecks in higher-level facilities. Members questioned how the program differs from basic care and nursing facility memory care, and the bill was referred to the HR section for deeper review before possible action on Monday. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2396, as amended, which would authorize an independent third-party performance audit of the Department of Commerce and the North Dakota Development Fund, with findings shared with the state auditor. Sponsors said the proposal was prompted by concerns raised in testimony and that a private audit could begin faster than a state audit. The committee adopted an amendment adding an emergency clause and directing the report to the Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee, then passed the bill 20-0 with 3 absent. Next, Representative Clemine presented Senate Bills 2226, 2036, and 2037. SB 2226 would presume an incarcerated person indigent at initial appearance so counsel can be provided at that critical stage; the commission said the appropriation would fund contract attorney hours, and the bill was sent to HR for further review. SB 2036 would create procedures for determining juvenile fitness to proceed in delinquency cases, with a $500,000 appropriation for mental health evaluations, and SB 2037 would begin a juvenile criminal code framework and include a $300,000 appropriation for fitness-to-proceed evaluations; both were also referred to HR, with some concern raised about staffing and overlapping functions. After a short break, the committee heard education-related appropriations bills. SB 2234 would replace expired ESSER funding for Choice Ready grants, but members noted the program was not included in the K-12 budget and sent it to E&E for comparison with existing appropriations. SB 2286, a University of North Dakota request for a new nursing school facility, drew extensive discussion about the age and condition of the current building and the size and scope of the project; the committee ultimately adopted a do-not-pass motion 22-0. SB 2213, the “science of mathematics” bill modeled on the science of reading initiative, would fund math professional development and implementation; it was also referred to E&E for further review. The committee then briefly passed the Racing Commission budget, SB 2023, and began discussion of the Trust Lands budget, SB 2013, including a proposed retention increase for investment-related positions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, key differences are that they negotiate the terms, payment, scope of each contract and job.
• Um, key differences are that they negotiate the terms, payment, scope of each contract and job.
• Um, key differences are that they negotiate the terms, payment, scope of each contract and job.
• Um key differences are that they negotiate the terms, payment, scope of each contract and job.
• Um, key differences are that they negotiate the terms, payment, scope of each contract and job.

Committee: Senate Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• He added that claims bills do not direct payments from a respondent's insurer because the relationship
• liens, provides that a waiver or release of lien form include specific language for progressive payments
• or final payment. ...release of lien form include specific language for progressive payments or final
• payment.
• It clarifies that a waiver or release is authorized on receipt of funds rather than a payment by check

Summary: The committee first took up CS for Senate Bill 304, which would address child protective investigations involving children with certain genetic or medical conditions that can mimic signs of abuse. Senator Sharif and several family members and advocates described cases in which children were removed after injuries were initially misread as abuse, and argued the bill would give parents more opportunity to obtain qualified medical opinions. The committee adopted a substitute amendment that removed language imposing analysis duties on certain medical professionals, then passed the bill favorably after testimony in support from the Florida chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and several affected families. The committee then considered SB 1430 on post-judgment execution proceedings for terrorism victims, SB 96 on relief for Jacob Rogers, SB 382 on affordable housing rent agreements, SB 4 and SB 6 on claims bills for Patricia Armini and Jose Correa, SB 1142 on release of conservation easements, SB 658 on waiver or release of liens, SB 28 and SB 30 on claims involving South Broward Hospital District and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, SB 24 on relief for Mandy Penny Lemon, SB 72 on campaign funds for child care expenses, and SB 1622 on recreational customary use of beaches. Most of these bills were explained by their sponsors as narrow relief or technical measures, and the committee heard a mix of support and opposition from claimants, local governments, industry groups, and advocacy organizations. Several bills drew substantive debate. On SB 382, members discussed rent stability and whether the bill should better address lease language and future rent increases; the amendment and bill were both reported favorably. On SB 1142, members raised concerns about environmental and drainage impacts and whether releases of conservation easements should be mandatory or discretionary, but the bill still passed favorably. On SB 72, members questioned the scope of allowable campaign child care expenses and the need for stronger guardrails against abuse; the bill nevertheless passed favorably. On SB 1622, testimony sharply divided between supporters of restoring public beach access and opponents defending private property rights; debate continued when the transcript ended, so no final vote on that bill is reflected here.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 97, cash payment governmental entities. Sponsor, Senator Ide. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Senate File 97 is referred to as cash payments governmental entities.
• </c> cash payment governmental entities. cash payment governmental entities.
• </c> as payment as payment as<00:09:20.880><c> a</c><00:09:20.960><c> payment</c><00:09:21.400><c> option
• Lottery tickets acceptance of debit card payments.

Transcript Highlights:

• The per-student payment comes out of the Common Schools Trust Fund today.
• And then $522,000 a year payment.
• We've worked through different payment programs and stuff like that.
• We've worked through different payment programs and stuff like that.
• This is simply shifting the source of payment to the state. Further discussion?

Bills: HB1623

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 1624, the “Universal Lunch Bill,” from Rep. Mike Nathie. He argued the proposal should be placed in Century Code rather than the Constitution so future legislatures can adjust it if state finances tighten, and said the bill would start the program a year earlier with a $65 million appropriation for one school year. DPI testified that the estimate did not include nonpublic schools that do not participate, and members questioned the impact on Title I, free-and-reduced applications, private-school accountability, breakfast mandates for schools that do not currently serve breakfast, and whether the funding could come from the DPI budget or other sources. Supporters, including North Dakota United, the North Dakota Catholic Conference, a pediatrician, and the American Heart Association, said universal meals improve student health and learning, reduce family costs, and are better handled in statute than by constitutional amendment. No opposition testimony was offered, and the chair closed the hearing for later work-session action. The committee then took up House Bill 1627, introduced by Rep. Tye Dressler, which would raise the income threshold for the state-funded school lunch program from 225% to 300% of poverty, with an estimated cost of about $7 million for 2026-27. Dressler said the bill is intended as a targeted, budget-friendly alternative to the ballot measure and emphasized that the state should maximize federal meal dollars while improving participation in the current program. Members questioned whether raising the threshold would actually increase utilization, whether a dollar amount would be clearer than a percentage, and how the change would affect federal reimbursements and application rates. DPI said it could quickly calculate additional percentage levels, and the chair closed the hearing, directing DPI to prepare more numbers for the work session. Finally, the committee opened Senate Bill 2403, presented by Sen. Schiable, to create a short-term bridge-loan program for financially distressed hospitals, centered on Jacobson Memorial Hospital in Elgin. The bill would authorize up to $5 million per loan, with a $10 million appropriation available on a first-come, first-served basis, and would run only through June 30, 2027. Schiable said the hospital’s debt and operating problems threaten local health care, ambulance service, and the community’s economy, and that the proposal was designed narrowly with Bank of North Dakota review to avoid creating a broad precedent. Committee members asked whether the appropriation could be reduced and whether the bank would still apply commercial feasibility and repayment standards; Schiable said yes, the bank would still evaluate the loan and could reject it if it was not sound.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um, line 154 adjusts nursing facility total care related payment rate limit.
• So, um, line 154 adjusts nursing facility total care related payment rate limit.
• So this proposal includes the payment-driven, uh, payment model casemix class systems classification
• It also repeals automatic annual alternative payment system property rate inflation.
• this in proposal includes um the payment driven<00:52:02.960><c> uh</c><00:52:03.119><c> payment</c>

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• a temporary fund for the seven existing children's residential facilities, to be used as a bridge payment
• on the 1st of each month, and on several occasions I helped her call to try to understand why her payments
• on the 1st of each month, and on several occasions I helped her call to try to understand why her payments
• on the 1st of each month, and on several occasions I helped her call to try to understand why her payments
• on the 1st of each month, and on several occasions I helped her call to try to understand why her payments

Transcript Highlights:

• Subdivision five pertains to certification and payment.
• 21:12.920><c> to</c><00:21:13.040><c> certification</c><00:21:13.800><c> and</c><00:21:13.960><c> payment
• </c> pertains to certification and payment. pertains to certification and payment.
• by towards the end of December uh uh and by towards the end of December uh the<00:21:23.280><c> payments
• </c> the payments to be issued. the payments to be issued.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1500 is solving a very specific breakdown in the pharmacy payment pipeline, with the claim
• The pharmacy dispenses a drug, but the entity controlling payment can still delay, net, or obscure what
• The pharmacy dispenses a drug, but the entity controlling payment can still delay, net, or obscure what
• This bill seeks to set a bright line to pay promptly, explain payment clearly, and not shift third-party
• And it defines the performance service or work for specific payment and controls how and how the work

Bills: SB65 , SB248 , SB330 , SB378 , SB844 , SB1330 , SB1410 , SB1475 , SB1476 , SB1565 , SB1618 , SB1623 , SJR39 , SJR47 , SB2084 , SB1655 , SB1679 , SB2174 , SB1775 , SB1873 , SB1204 , SB1884 , SB1916 , SB1937 , SB1447 , SB1500 , SB2007 , SB2074 , SB1944 , SB2018 , SB1984 , SB2026 , SB2045 , SB2049 , SB2062 , SB2112 , SB2118 , SB2127 , SB2134 , SB2135 , SB2139 , SB2154 , SB1195

Summary: The Senate first considered Senate Bill 1623, a measure updating the state charter for state-regulated credit unions to make them more competitive with federal credit unions. Two amendments were adopted: one changing certain board authority language from “shall” to “may,” and another restoring the title. Supporters said the bill was the product of years of negotiation with bankers and credit unions and would not affect national banks; after questions about membership expansion and census-tract service areas, the bill passed 44-0. The chamber then took up Senate Joint Resolution 39, which would send to voters a constitutional amendment lowering annual caps on assessed-value growth for homestead and agricultural property from 3% to 1%, and for other property from 5% to 3%. Proponents argued it would slow property-tax growth, help seniors and fixed-income homeowners stay in their homes, and not reduce government revenue but only slow future growth; opponents warned it would reduce local revenue growth for schools, counties, infrastructure, and bonding capacity, and would disproportionately benefit higher-value property owners. The resolution passed 38-8, and the special-election referral also passed 38-8. Senate Joint Resolution 47, which would place current voter ID requirements into the Constitution, also advanced and passed 39-8, with the special-election provision passing by the same margin. Supporters said it simply constitutionalized existing law requiring proof of identity and would preserve election security; critics said Oklahoma already has voter ID rules, the measure was unnecessary, and the language could create uncertainty for absentee voters and future changes. Debate also touched on provisional ballots, military and overseas voting, and whether the measure would make future adjustments harder. Later, Senate Bill 2084 passed 35-7 and as an emergency measure. The bill limits wrongful-termination settlements for faculty members at higher education institutions to two times annual salary, including pay and accrued benefits. Supporters said it would provide certainty for universities and regents; questions focused on tenure, free-speech claims, and how the cap would interact with existing tort limits. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 1655 unanimously to allow Oklahoma Complete Health’s Children’s Specialty Program to contact adoptive parents and offer continued voluntary services for post-adoption children, and Senate Bill 1679 was introduced as the “Preserving Oklahoma Values Act,” aimed at codifying adherence to the U.S. and Oklahoma Constitutions and rejecting foreign law, with debate beginning over its enforcement and scope.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment reads "is entitled to receive," which means you can opt out of the payment.
• "Is entitled to receive," which means you can opt out of the payment.
• The success of the voters and the success of their economic health increases our payment.
• It's difficult to compare across states because some states have had payment enacted since 1985, while
• , make car payments, and clothe their kids. make car payments, clothe their kids, on a lot less than

Bills: HB145 , HB164 , HJR6 , HR1 , HB20 , HB65 , HB66 , HB80 , HB166 , HB295 , HB306 , SB29 , SB37 , HB99 , HB206 , HB213 , HB270 , HJR5 , SB104 , SB193 , HJM2 , HJM3 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM13 , HM47 , HM20 , HM51 , HM1 , HM31 , HM35 , HM36 , HM46 , HM53 , HM54 , HM39 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50

Keywords: high-wage jobs, tax credit, job creation, New Mexico, economic development, lobbying, transparency, public records, government oversight, accountability, constitutional amendment, legislative sessions, veto override, New Mexico legislature, session length, House Resolution 1, HR1, House investigatory subcommittee, special committee, legislative investigation

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so again, we anticipate and expect our payment error rate to be 4%, and we can use either federal
• So again, we do not anticipate any funding needed um related to payment error.
• Um, so again, we anticipate and expect our payment error rate to be 4%, and we can use either federal
• So again, we do not anticipate any funding needed um related to payment error.
• So again, we do not anticipate any funding needed um related to payment error.

Committee: House Appropriations & Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:32:41.519><c> is</c><00:32:41.679><c> is</c><00:32:42.000><c> kept</c> that credit card or payment
• is is kept that credit card or payment is is kept that<00:32:42.559><c> way</c><00:32:42.880><c> and
• Um, the other thing that they would probably not be able to do is make the payment to the Recovering
• </c><01:00:35.520><c> um</c><01:00:35.760><c> to</c> be able to do is make the payment um to be able
• And so they would have to hold that payment because they don't have what they need.

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• proposal lacked detailed pricing information and instead called for between two and five lump-sum payments
• during the contract's duration without linking these payments to specific performance or deliverables
• We identified another instance where a payment was contractually linked to a specific deliverable, but
• The treasurer makes the payment through that system.
• In 2024, Apache County paid the State of Arizona a $14,000 use tax payment for the Mutualink system.

Committee: Joint Joint Legislative Audit Committee

Summary: The committee began with opening remarks about moving to a monthly, two-hour schedule for more timely and focused oversight of Auditor General findings. Members also recognized Melanie Chesney for 32 years of service to the Office of the Auditor General, with several speakers praising her work and her role in strengthening the relationship between the Auditor General’s office and J-LAC. The main agenda item was the Auditor General’s December 2025 special audit on the school safety interoperability fund and interoperable communication systems. Staff reported that about $26 million had been allocated to 14 law enforcement agencies for systems intended to improve real-time communication between schools and first responders. The audit found that all 14 agencies used the money for interoperable systems, but four agencies allowed private or tribal schools to participate contrary to statute, and several agencies failed to submit required annual expenditure reports. It also found that none of the three systems reviewed met every statutory requirement as written, in part because some requirements were vague or interpreted differently by vendors and agencies. The audit recommended that agencies recover and report any improper benefit to non-public schools, avoid using fund money for ongoing costs tied to non-public school participation, submit missing reports, and improve cost planning and contract monitoring; it also recommended that the legislature clarify eligibility for private and tribal schools and revisit unclear system requirements. The audit further found procurement and contracting problems at nine of 14 agencies, including weak or missing sole-source justifications, contracts that lacked accountability and termination provisions, and poor documentation of pricing and deliverables. Several agencies had not planned for ongoing annual costs, which the audit estimated could range from about $16,000 to $382,000 per rural county depending on the system. In the discussion, members expressed frustration with sole-source contracting and lack of documentation, and some said they would oppose future vendor bills without competitive bidding and stronger payment controls. The auditor also described mixed system performance: some agencies reported useful features such as panic alerts, camera access, and map sharing, but other systems were not fully functional or had never been implemented. The committee then heard from the Arizona Sheriffs’ Association, whose president said sheriffs support the goal of improving school safety, described county implementation challenges, and defended the use of local staff to manage the projects, while acknowledging that smaller counties face staffing and connectivity limits.

Transcript Highlights:

• of rent unless until at least 3 months following the date of the first delinquent rent payment.
• c> rent</c><00:59:48.079><c> unless</c><00:59:48.960><c> until</c><00:59:49.440><c> at</c> on non-payment
• of rent unless until at on non-payment of rent unless until at least<00:59:50.079><c> 3</c><00:59:50.400
• </c><00:59:54.640><c> If</c><00:59:54.880><c> the</c> first delinquent rent payment.
• If the first delinquent rent payment.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a very simple amendment that should require the federal government to withhold contracted payments
• So, should those payments cease, whether through executive action or through DOGE or through just a lack
• expecting, that there are contracts for, that this is, you know, how they are making their rent payments
• And so that would be a payments.
• of rent and whether and for non-payment of rent and whether and whether<00:42:08.640><c> the</c><00:

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• The General Assembly has to approve the payment of those claims.
• <00:40:47.359><c> the</c> General Assembly has to approve the General Assembly has to approve the payment
• of those claims there are some payment of those claims there are some and<00:40:50.760><c> they're</
• It was an administrative issue where it was not entered into eMARS in time to process that payment.
• to</c><00:47:50.920><c> be</c><00:47:51.079><c> rendered</c><00:47:51.480><c> for</c> prevented a payment

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2, which would address the taxation of currency and bullion and was presented as a response to last session’s dispute over whether a line-item veto could be applied to a revenue measure. The sponsor said the bill, as amended by Committee Substitute 2, was largely technical but also made the tax exemption retroactive to August 1, 2024 while making the $1,000-per-day penalty prospective only. Members asked about fiscal impact, possible legal liability for executive branch officials, and whether the issue should instead be resolved by the courts. The sponsor argued the Constitution limits the governor’s line-item veto power to appropriations, not revenue bills, and said the bill would create a judicial remedy and refund process if the executive branch continued collecting the tax. The committee approved the committee substitute and then passed House Bill 2 by a vote of 19-1, with two members passing; the bill was reported favorably to the floor. During discussion, Representative Bojanowski voted no, saying he could not support removing taxes on gold bars while parents pay taxes on diapers. Representative Gentry passed, saying he supported the original intent but was not yet convinced and wanted more time to review the issue. The sponsor also clarified that any liability would be joint and several and could involve executive officials or their budgets if the tax collection continued despite the exemption. The committee then heard a discussion-only presentation on the Kentucky Exposition Center Redevelopment Plan Phase 2. Facility representatives described Phase 1 and the planned Phase 2 expansion, saying the center had record attendance and needed more space to remain competitive and meet client demand. They said Phase 1 was about 20% complete, with completion now expected in October 2026 and an opening target of December 31, 2026 after a short testing period. Phase 2 would follow, including demolition of the West Wing, utility work, and improvements to food service and circulation areas. They said the project would be funded without federal dollars and estimated that, once complete, it could generate about $683 million in annual economic impact, $302 million in state sales tax, and 850,000 room nights in Jefferson County.