Transcript Highlights:

• 717 723 726 27 759-804-811-824-846-860-869-882-912-923-925. 928 936 974 977 10 0 5 10 0 6 10 78 1100 11
• 16 11 17 1119, 1131, 1140, 1144, 1153, 1164, 1172, 1186, 1187, 1210, 1211, 1212, 1231, 1249, 1263, 1279
• My name is Juan Martinez and I was born on September 9, 1928.
• My name is Juan Pablo Villegas and I was born on September 9, 1928.

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• one thing<00:11:45.880><c> that</c><00:11:46.079><c> was</c><00:11:46.200><c> on</c><00:11:46.399><c
• c><00:11:49.720><c> that</c><00:11:50.320><c> included</c><00:11:50.880><c> Road</c><00:11:51.320><c>
• ><c> things</c><00:11:53.079><c> but</c><00:11:53.440><c> they</c><00:11:53.560><c> wanted</c><00:11:
• ><00:11:57.800><c> Trump</c><00:11:58.079><c> would</c><00:11:58.240><c> be</c><00:11:58.399><c> reelect
• > among</c> September 11 terrorists carried among September 11 terrorists carried among them<00:41:03.839

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we operate the largest hydroelectric system in the state, with 11 stations producing more than
• For 2,700 megawatts, as these data centers are proposed, that would require about 11 billion gallons
• For 2,700 megawatts, as these data centers are proposed, that would require about 11 billion gallons
• It's 11 billion gallons. Data centers will also require 11 billion gallons.
• :46.880><c> billion</c> of water per year on average 11 billion of water per year on average 11 billion

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Transcript Highlights:

• before you today directs each public high school to observe National Voter Registration Day each September
• Fast forward several months to September 15th, of the same year.
• September matters.
• Okay. and Good Citizenship Day to September and aligns it with National Voter Registration Day.
• September matters.

Bills: SB6130 , SB6247 , SB6260 , SB6268 , SB6278

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Keywords: voter registration, elections, national holiday, civic engagement, government initiative, school funding, financial management, budgeting, transparency, district governance, SB 6260, public education, K-12, Washington State, OSPI, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, education finance, school transportation, school buses, zero-emission bus

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to load out at 9 for an 11 o'clock game," and then somebody calls you and says, "In the meantime
• education advisory panel, made up of parents, district representatives, and agencies, on May 19th and September
• And they provided input in meetings on May 20th and September 16th, 2025, with the board approving this
• education advisory panel, made up of parents, district representatives, and agencies, on May 19th and September
• And they provided input in meetings on May 20th and September 16th, 2025, with the board approving this

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• My first session, we came in in '11, and then we had a special session, and it was after the flood in
• The last funding for that is September of '26, I believe, and we feel that is as secure as any other
• Public Construction was notified that some American Rescue Plan dollars that were obligated until September
• Public Construction was notified that some American Rescue Plan dollars that were obligated until September

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee met to consider three measures, beginning with Senate Bill 2016 for Job Service. Testimony described Job Service’s workforce, unemployment insurance, and labor market functions, its long-term reduction in FTEs and budget, and its reliance on federal funding that does not keep pace with inflation. The bill included funding for an additional FTE for the H-2A housing inspection program, continued support for the JP3 offender placement pilot, and one-time funding for IT and mainframe costs tied to a system modernization effort. The committee approved the bill 20-0, with Representative Swiontek named as carrier. The committee then discussed Senate Bill 2305, which would allow family members to be paid as caregivers for certain young people with disabilities instead of only licensed outside providers. Members noted the specialized, 24-hour nature of the care, workforce shortages, waiting lists, and the potential to avoid more expensive institutional care. Questions focused on how the program would be structured, including certification requirements and whether it would remain a pilot or become part of the broader human services budget. The committee passed the bill 20-0, with Representative Roar as carrier and Representative Nelson available as backup. Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 2024 for the Department of Environmental Quality. The House change was limited to increased special-fund support for water and wastewater operator certification testing to expand availability, while the Senate version already included added FTEs for emerging contaminants and fuel inspection work. Members discussed federal funding uncertainty, including IIJA and ARPA-related concerns, but the department said its major projects, including the new laboratory, were not currently in jeopardy. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill as amended 22-0, with Representative Berg as carrier.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:11:46.560><c> the</c><00:11:46.640><c> absentee</c><00:11:47.000><c> ballot</c><00:11:47.320><
• ><c> he</c><00:11:49.840><c> or</c><00:11:49.960><c> she</c><00:11:50.200><c> is</c><00:11:50.360><c>
• ><c> the</c><00:11:52.480><c> absentee</c><00:11:52.960><c> ballot</c><00:11:54.080><c> was</c><00:11
• </c><00:11:55.680><c> You</c><00:11:55.760><c> guys</c><00:11:56.040><c> removed</c><00:11:56.440><c>
• You<00:11:56.880><c> going</c><00:11:57.000><c> to</c><00:11:57.040><c> explain</c><00:11:57.640><c>

Summary: The committee of conference first took up House Bill 158 on public inspection of absentee ballot lists. The Senate explained that its amendment replaced the original bill with a requirement that the Secretary of State review absentee ballot data after each general election and report findings to the committees of jurisdiction, focusing on unusual patterns such as multiple ballots sent to the same address. After a brief caucus, the House agreed to the Senate position, and members voted individually to concur. The committee then discussed House Bill 281, which concerns making the electronic voter checklist available in a sortable format. The main dispute was whether the public list should include the mailing address where an absentee ballot was sent if it differs from the voter’s registered address. The Senate argued that including mailing addresses could expose where voters actually live or are away from home and could create safety concerns, while the House argued the information could help candidates reach voters and was not primarily a fraud measure. The parties also discussed a related nursing home verification provision and record-retention/public-records questions. After caucusing, the House agreed to the Senate’s position with the added nursing home signing language, and the committee closed the bill on consent. House Bill 340, concerning electioneering by public employees, was then taken up with a Senate amendment that narrowed the definition of electioneering by tying it to existing statutory language, added a prohibition on expressly or primarily political surveys, and created a civil penalty option alongside the misdemeanor penalty. Senators and representatives debated whether the penalties should be mandatory or discretionary and how the language would apply to certain categories of public employees. After further clarification and caucus, the House accepted the Senate’s amended replace-all language, and the committee closed HB 340. Finally, the committee opened House Bill 1062, authorizing the Secretary of State to conduct random audits of citizenship qualifications of registered voters. The Senate explained that its changes removed the need for a permanent audit power by allowing records to be checked against databases and by requiring identification for registration going forward, which is why it added a sunset clause. The House member objected to the sunset and wanted the authority to continue indefinitely, and discussion continued as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the<00:11:38.160><c> concern</c><00:11:38.720><c> about</c><00:11:39.519><c> future</c><00:11:39.920
• </c><00:11:49.760><c> Um,</c><00:11:50.079><c> and</c><00:11:50.880><c> uh,</c><00:11:51.040><c> thank
• So,<02:11:05.199><c> that</c><02:11:05.440><c> that's</c><02:11:05.760><c> my</c><02:11:05.920><c> two
• So, &gt;&gt; I'm<02:11:57.280><c> going</c><02:11:57.440><c> to</c><02:11:57.599><c> guess</c><02:11:
• > to</c><03:11:11.200><c> mental</c><03:11:11.600><c> health</c><03:11:11.840><c> support,</c><03:11:

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> One<00:11:53.839><c> of</c><00:11:54.000><c> the</c><00:11:54.160><c> challenges</c><00:11:54.560
• ><c> we</c><00:11:54.880><c> faced</c><00:11:55.760><c> based</c><00:11:56.079><c> on</c> One of the
• :11:56.640><c> the</c><00:11:56.800><c> continuing</c><00:11:57.360><c> inflationary</c> you know the
• continuing inflationary you know the continuing inflationary factors<00:11:58.480><c> and</c><00:11:
• </c> anticipated completion date of September anticipated completion date of September 2027.

Summary: The Interim Joint Budget Review Subcommittee on Justice and Judiciary met without a quorum and heard an update from the Administrative Office of the Courts on the judicial branch budget. AOC Director Zach Ramsey and budget director Carol Henderson outlined the branch’s current funding structure, noting that fiscal year 2026 general fund support is about 2.77% of the state general fund, below the National Center for State Courts’ typical 2% to 4% range. They emphasized Kentucky’s unusual responsibility for courthouse facilities, with the judicial branch directly involved in construction, maintenance, and operations across 229 facilities in all 120 counties. AOC said nearly 91% of its general fund is spent on personnel and other non-discretionary costs, and that the branch has long relied on agency revenue, restricted fund carryforwards, and vacancy credits to balance court operations. Members were told that Senate Bill 25 required a $34.5 million transfer into a reserve account, part of which was used to purchase the Chamberlain Avenue building in Frankfort. AOC reported that only $11.9 million remains in restricted funds, while it projects needing about $13.5 million to cover fiscal year 2026 obligations, not including roughly $9 million in flood-related remediation costs for Hardin and Franklin counties, much of which it expects to recover through insurance and FEMA. Looking ahead to the next biennium, AOC said it will seek full funding of court operations at $341 million annually, a $13.5 million increase to bring current services into the base appropriation rather than relying on reserves. It also previewed additional requests, including a 15% across-the-board pay parity plan for Kentucky Court of Justice personnel, replacement of declining master commissioner fee revenue tied to 141 deputy circuit court clerk positions, funding for technology subscription and case management system costs, JAV audiovisual system upgrades, AEDs and medical kits for courthouses, and other staffing and operational needs. Senator Funky Frommeyer asked whether the 15% salary proposal was included in the $13.5 million increase; AOC said it was not, and that it would be an additional request. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today is Thursday, September 11, 2025, 1:30 p.m., in Conference Room 309 of the Hawaii State Capitol.
• :00.399><c> way</c><00:11:00.480><c> to</c><00:11:00.720><c> read</c><00:11:00.959><c> the</c><00:11:
• 00:11:07.040><c> slide</c><00:11:07.680><c> what</c><00:11:07.920><c> this</c><00:11:08.240><c> plan<
• </c><00:11:11.680><c> So</c><00:11:11.839><c> I'm</c><00:11:12.079><c> here</c><00:11:12.160><c> to</
• 11:36.399><c> the</c><00:11:36.480><c> URL</c><00:11:36.880><c> we</c><00:11:37.040><c> can</c><00:11

Summary: The House Committee on Public Safety held an informational briefing with the City and County of Honolulu Department of Emergency Management on its hazard mitigation plan and recent emergency events on Oahu. Chair Dela Botti opened the meeting by explaining that the briefing was intended to review the mitigation planning process, the city’s hazard mitigation plan, and lessons learned from recent tsunami and wildfire threats, building on earlier briefings with state emergency management and transportation officials. Director Collins and hazard mitigation staff officer Ian Kio presented the plan, describing it as a five-year FEMA-required document focused on reducing long-term risk to people and property, not an operations plan for active disasters. Kio outlined how the plan was developed over roughly 18 months with a core team, steering committee, consultant support, and public input, and said it was formally adopted by the mayor’s office and approved by FEMA in July 2025. He said the updated plan was aligned more closely with the state hazard mitigation plan, expanded to cover 15 hazards including climate change and sea level rise, and organized around hazard risk rankings and mitigation strategies. He identified the highest-risk hazards as climate change and sea level rise, floods, health risks, hurricanes, tsunamis, and wildfires, and said the plan includes short-, medium-, and long-term actions such as education, Firewise community planning, flood mapping, and major infrastructure projects like tsunami walls and street elevation work. He also emphasized that the plan will be maintained with yearly updates and ongoing public feedback. Collins then discussed after-action findings from the July 6 Meli fire and the recent tsunami response, noting that reviews are still ongoing. He said the fire response showed strong initiative and teamwork, including police officers helping with fire suppression support and door-to-door evacuation efforts before firefighters arrived, and a staff duty officer who initiated a wireless emergency alert without waiting for higher-level direction. He said these actions reflected a culture of rapid decision-making when lives are at stake. Collins also urged residents to prepare by making family plans, gathering supplies, checking flood and tsunami risk maps, retrofitting homes, and obtaining insurance before disasters occur. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today is September 17th, 2025. This is a hybrid meeting.
• This is a roll call for the attendance at the September 17th, 2025 JLARC meeting.
• And our education coordinator for the last 11 years, Derek Van Dyck, he would tell you that education
• The preliminary report will be out in July of 2026, and the proposed final in September.
• September 22nd.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee met on September 17, 2025, welcomed new members, and initially lacked a quorum until Representative Berg arrived. The committee adopted the July 15/16 meeting minutes and discussed a proposed 2026 meeting schedule, including possible changes to address the heavy July workload from tax exemption reviews. Staff then presented the annual lodging tax expenditures report, which showed 213 municipalities received distributions in 2024, 91% reporting compliance, about $114 million awarded for more than 1,700 activities, and over 115 million attendees reported. Several members questioned the self-reported nature of the data and whether the report had enough value; the executive committee indicated it may recommend removing the lodging tax reporting requirement from statute because it is not a compliance tool and consumes significant staff time. The committee next heard the preliminary performance audit of the Office of Privacy and Data Protection. Staff said OPDP generally meets its statutory responsibilities and is well regarded by users, but its statute should be updated to match its current capacity and focus. The audit found OPDP’s work is largely centered on state agencies, with limited public outreach and some overlap with other entities on broadband and privacy education. Two recommendations were presented: review and update OPDP’s statutory duties, including broadband reporting and public outreach, and develop performance measures that better assess long-term privacy outcomes rather than just outputs. Committee members asked about FERPA and other federal privacy laws, and OPDP staff said they can provide broader privacy training and would be willing to offer more specific training if requested. The committee adopted the final report on Washington State recreational boating programs without opposition. Staff reported that boating-related revenues in 2021–23 totaled $108 million, with 53% directed to general government and transportation accounts and 47% to boating programs or projects; no recommendations were made. Members asked about boater education outcomes and agency overlap, and staff and agency representatives said education appears to have reduced fatalities and that the six involved agencies have distinct roles coordinated through a quarterly work group. Finally, staff presented planned study questions for upcoming reviews of L&I’s enforcement of farm worker labor laws, DNR’s Eastern Washington sustainable harvest calculation, and seven 2026 tax preference performance reviews. Members raised scope questions about the farm worker study and whether it should be framed around agricultural workers, and staff said they would follow the legislative mandate and could consider any future clarification. For the DNR review, staff said they are tracking DNR’s ongoing harvest calculation and will assess whether its data and methods align with best practices, while noting that future wildfire or other disturbances are outside the study’s scope. The tax preference review discussion covered the seven preferences to be studied in 2026, including data centers, Main Street credits, equitable access to credit, private airplane sales, landfill gas equipment, adaptive equipment for disabled veterans, and a real estate excise tax exemption for supported living transfers; members asked about equity, environmental impacts, and how staff would evaluate eligibility and savings. The meeting adjourned before noon.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is 11 a.m. on July 31st, 2026. Thank you all for joining us.
• The commission is an 11-member commission, an independent state agency, and was created in 2013 by Initiative
• I believe the commission is expecting to make a final decision on this RFP process in September.
• In September of 2025, we announced our continuing education continuity portfolio, which also has relocation
• In September of 2025, we announced our continuing education continuity portfolio, which also has relocation

Summary: The Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee (JARC) met on July 31, 2026 to consider a citizen petition challenging the Washington State Charter School Commission’s April 2026 continuity of operations policy. Staff explained JARC’s authority under the Administrative Procedures Act and framed the issue as whether the Commission was using a policy in place of a rule, and whether that policy was within legislative intent. Staff also reviewed the Charter School Commission’s statutory framework, including limits on charter terms, transfer provisions involving the State Board of Education, and the Commission’s new process for identifying nonprofit operators to assume existing charter contracts when schools close or contracts are surrendered, revoked, or not renewed. The petitioner, Cesar Harrison, argued the Commission had created a new transfer mechanism through policy rather than rulemaking, potentially bypassing statutory procedures and extending charter authority beyond the five-year framework. Commission Executive Director Marcus Hardin responded that the policy was only a procedural framework for evaluating proposals, not a transfer of contracts or creation of new authority, and said the Commission had used similar discretionary processes before. Public testimony from the Washington Education Association supported the petition, emphasizing that the policy should have gone through formal rulemaking for transparency and public input. After discussion, committee members asked staff about the statute’s silence on contract continuation and the relationship between the Commission’s practice and legislative authorization. The committee then voted 7-0, with two members excused, to find that the Charter School Commission is using a policy or interpretive statement in place of a rule and that it is not within the intent of the Legislature as expressed by the statute. Staff explained that the finding will be sent to the agency, which must hold a hearing and then notify JARC of its intended action; JARC may later object to that action or take further steps. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• and we verified, unauthorized credit card charges of $2,100 on the district's credit card between September
• The district acknowledges the audit finding regarding the unauthorized credit card charges between September
• Between September 9, 2024, and February 27, 2025, resulting in a loss of $262.
• On March 11, 2025, the board approved a resolution.
• On March 11, 2025, the board approved a resolution to hire the board member's son and submitted the exemption

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Summary: The committee met to review education audit reports and adopted the minutes. Legislative Audit reported 103 education audits total, with 89 having no findings and 14 containing findings. The committee first heard from Camden Fairview School District, which had findings for spending operating funds on an end-of-year employee banquet and for unauthorized credit card charges. District officials said they had implemented stronger internal controls, stopped using the affected card, and would limit future events to comply with state law and constitutional requirements. Members questioned the district about prior practices, donated funds, and how teacher appreciation could continue without using operating funds; the report was filed as reviewed. The committee then reviewed Forest City School District, which had a finding for spending $33,000 in operating funds on an off-campus end-of-year celebration and entertainment event. District representatives said the money came from a long-standing Pepsi-related donation fund, but acknowledged confusion over whether it should be treated as operational funds and said they would stop using it that way and provide training to staff and the board. Members discussed whether the funds were private donations or operating funds, the lack of a formal board vote, and whether the event was intended to recognize staff and growth; the report was filed as reviewed. The committee also received notice of more serious findings that were referred to the prosecuting attorney and attorney general, including Conway School District for misuse of district funds and resources by former maintenance employees, Magnolia School District for undeposited activity funds, Westside School District for undocumented and personal credit card charges, and Boonville School District for paying a board member’s son in excess of the statutory limit without an approved exemption. The remaining eight reports with findings were filed en masse as reviewed, and the 89 reports with no findings were also filed en masse. The committee adjourned after noting that most districts reviewed had no findings.

Transcript Highlights:

• and we verified unauthorized credit card charges of $2,100 on the district's credit card between September
• The district acknowledges the audit finding regarding the unauthorized credit card charges between September
• Between September 9, 2024, and February 27, 2025, resulting in a loss of $262.
• On March 11, 2025, the board approved a resolution.
• On March 11, 2025, the board approved a resolution to hire the board member's son and submitted the exemption

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Summary: The committee met to review education audit reports and heard responses from several school districts with findings. Camden Fairview School District was cited for using operating funds for an end-of-year employee awards banquet and for unauthorized credit card charges that caused a small loss; district officials said the current administration had strengthened controls, stopped the banquet practice, and improved monthly credit card reconciliation. Members questioned whether the prior officials were still employed, whether the credit card issue was an outside hack, and how teacher appreciation could continue without using district funds. Forest City School District was cited for spending about $33,000 on an off-campus staff celebration and entertainment event; district representatives said the money came from long-standing Pepsi-related donation funds, that the event was intended to recognize staff and growth, and that they would change practices and receive training going forward. Members discussed whether those funds were private donations or operational funds, and staff said the district’s accounting treatment made them subject to the constitutional restriction at issue. The committee also reviewed several other findings. Conway School District was referred for an ongoing investigative report involving misuse of district funds and resources by former maintenance employees. Magnolia School District had undeposited activity funds totaling more than $21,000, tied to a resigned high school secretary and sponsor receipts not deposited. Westside School District had about $30,000 in credit card charges lacking documentation or business purpose, including charges by the superintendent, personal purchases, and items shipped to personal addresses; the matter was referred to the prosecuting attorney. Boonville School District was cited for paying a board member’s son more than the statutory limit for seasonal groundskeeping without the required exemption, and DESE later denied the exemption request. After discussing those cases, the committee filed the remaining eight findings en masse and then filed the 89 reports with no findings. Members noted that most school districts audited had clean reports and encouraged districts to continue good practices while learning from the findings discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• ON SLIDE 11 YOU HAVE UP THERE ABOUT MOBILE HOMES. CAN YOU ELABORATE?
• TO GIVE YOU TIMELINE BACKGROUND, HURRICANE IAN IMPACTED OUR STATE SEPTEMBER 2022.
• 2024 AND WE HAD A FIRST COMPLETION BEFORE THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY SO WE HAD OUR FIRST COMPLETION IN SEPTEMBER
• THERE WERE 11 ADDITIONAL DIRECT ALLOCATION MADE TO WHAT HUD REFERS TO AS ENTITLEMENT COMMUNITIES.
• OPEN APPLICATIONS IN APRIL AND HAD OUR FIRST HOME COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you know, certainly will be work left to do some work around our 11, 15 waiver and state plan and
• We certainly expect that to add delays to the approval of any new 11, 15 waivers are 11, 15 amendments
• And the 11 15 process was was not fast to begin with.
• You know, I think from earlier conversations this year with CMS new 11, 15 waiver, not necessarily an
• Great coming back to the think it was on Page 11.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have 11 independently, or 10 independent, 11 accredited institutions.
• Again, these were all as of September of 2025. So cash flow timing.
• Again, these were all as of September of 2025. These were all as of September of 2025.
• We've identified about 11 different things that we took care of.
• All 11 institutions are in good standing.

Committee: Joint Higher Education Institutions Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> we</c><01:11:19.760><c> do</c><01:11:20.159><c> with</c><01:11:20.320><c> with</c><01:11:20.719>
• Thank<02:11:10.480><c> you,</c><02:11:10.719><c> Madam</c><02:11:11.040><c> Chair,</c><02:11:11.280><
• ><c> on</c><02:11:13.520><c> one</c><02:11:13.760><c> last</c><02:11:14.400><c> this</c><02:11:14.560
• 11:16.480><c> bill</c><02:11:16.719><c> here,</c><02:11:17.280><c> but</c><02:11:17.760><c> just</c><
• House<02:11:32.960><c> Bill</c><02:11:33.599><c> uh</c><02:11:33.920><c> 1227</c><02:11:35.280><c> um

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:

• This was based on a rough interest calculation through the end of September 2025.
• But again, keep in mind that while it is close to $11 million, that is general fund.
• Slide 9, 10, and 11 are the details of each of those lines in the waterfall charts.
• The middle column is how we've done in the current biennium, so basically for 11 months.
• Our next Budget Section meeting will be Wednesday, September 30.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• got to give<01:11:09.159><c> me</c><01:11:09.239><c> a</c><01:11:09.360><c> thumb</c><01:11:09.560><
• </c><01:11:26.440><c> a</c><01:11:27.440><c> the</c><01:11:27.600><c> house</c><01:11:27.840><c> will
• </c><01:11:34.280><c> will</c><01:11:34.560><c> be</c><01:11:34.719><c> in</c><01:11:34.880><c> order
• </c><01:11:46.719><c> 200</c><01:11:46.960><c> the</c><01:11:47.080><c> Nays</c><01:11:47.360><c> are
• Manion declared<01:11:55.080><c> a</c><01:11:55.360><c> conflict</c><01:11:55.920><c> and</c><01:11: