Video & Transcript Research : 'summer programs'
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MN
Transcript Highlights:
- For the coming summer, that was Representative Reams' bill and provided ongoing flexible funding and
- Those dollars are kept 100% in the school district and used for students. and other summer programs.
- You know, some summers she would be off. and other summers, that was not an option.
- In the summers, I would help on the farms for many of the students that I worked with.
- Better opportunities for them in the summer work; it’s not taking away right now.
Bills:
HF1049
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING Jun 5th, 2026
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING
Transcript Highlights:
- White informed the committee that this is the second summer of the program and the interns would be attending
- Four findings were issued regarding the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children.
- The federal— The finding was because when we implemented the new summer EBT program, which provides for
- So this program doesn't. There's two different programs.
- So this program doesn't. There's two different programs.
Summary:
The Legislative Joint Auditing Committee met on June 5 and first adopted the March 2026 minutes, then approved reports from the executive committee and the standing committees on counties and municipalities, educational institutions, and state agencies. The counties and municipalities report noted progress on delinquent private water and sewer audits, compliance improvements by Denning and Gum Springs, and a 60-day compliance window for Omer and Fargo; several reports were deferred, while others were referred to prosecutors, the Attorney General, or the Government Bonding Board. The educational institutions committee filed 103 audit reports, including findings for several school districts, and one Booneville School District finding was referred to law enforcement. The state agencies committee filed 13 reports and deferred one Department of Health report to August.
The committee then reviewed the State of Arkansas annual comprehensive financial report and single audit for fiscal year 2025. Legislative Audit reported clean opinions on the state’s financial statements, but identified two material weaknesses: insufficient internal controls at the Office of State Technology over threat monitoring and unauthorized access, and problems at the Division of Workforce Services with changes to year-end accounting estimates and documentation for unemployment-related receivables and payables. The single audit covered $12.4 billion in federal awards across 469 programs, with 16 major programs reviewed; auditors reported 33 findings, including 31 federal findings, $12.9 million in outstanding questioned costs, and qualified opinions for the Summer EBT program, the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, and the Child Care Development Fund cluster. Findings included improper advance draws and reporting issues in Summer EBT, documentation problems in broadband projects, and reporting/reconciliation issues in child care funding.
Members questioned agency officials from DHS, the Office of State Technology, the Department of Finance and Administration, the Department of Education, and Workforce Services about the findings and corrective actions. DHS said the Summer EBT issue involved drawing funds in advance and that procedures had been changed for the 2026 cycle; it also explained several repeat findings as timing or provider-enrollment issues. OST officials said they were expanding logging, endpoint detection, and enterprise monitoring, and described cybersecurity as a moving target requiring more investment and training. DFA and Workers’ Compensation officials discussed the workers’ comp fund’s actuarial position and said it should be monitored but did not require immediate action. Education officials said the child care reconciliation problems stemmed from a former employee’s failure to reconcile reports, that staffing and checks had been strengthened, and that the federal funding cut affecting child care was a separate issue. The committee voted to hold the two major state financial reports over until the August meeting, with members asked to submit specific questions in advance, and then received a special report on the Hot Spring County Solid Waste Authority review.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- And I always have to say there's about 100 people that work over this plan during the summer.
- The second highest is related to the Medicaid program.
- The second highest is related to the Medicaid program. And so you can see it's a good step down.
- So the Medicaid program is in year one, $960 million, then $563 million, then $304 million.
- We asked that question at several of the estimating conferences this summer.
Summary:
The committee met to receive Amy Baker’s presentation on Florida’s long-range financial outlook for fiscal years 2026-27 through 2028-29. Baker said the forecast assumes continued but moderating economic growth, with Florida GDP slowing from recent highs, personal income remaining above average, wages continuing to rise faster than job growth, and population growth eventually slowing as the state approaches 2030 and the baby-boomer cohort fully ages into retirement. She also highlighted weakening housing and real-estate-related revenue, especially documentary stamp collections, along with low consumer sentiment as signs of caution in the outlook.
Baker explained that the state’s near-term general revenue picture improved largely because of legislative actions taken in the prior session, including contingency releases, reversions, and other budget adjustments, rather than from major new revenue growth. She said reserves remain strong at nearly $15 billion, or just under 30% of general revenue, with the budget stabilization fund at its constitutional maximum. The main spending pressures identified were critical needs and other high-priority needs, led by a new recurring transfer to the emergency preparedness and response fund and by Medicaid, where rising service costs and medical inflation—especially behavioral analysis costs in managed care—are driving higher expenditures despite lower caseloads and a slightly better federal match.
Members questioned the accuracy of the forecast, the Medicaid cost drivers, the treatment of the governor’s emergency fund, federal funding assumptions, and whether recent federal legislation was reflected in the numbers. Baker said the outlook assumes current federal funding paths continue, that the new federal tax/revenue law had not yet been fully incorporated because agencies were still reviewing it, and that the emergency fund line was calculated from recent appropriations without distinguishing specific uses. She also said the vetoed $750 million did not affect the budget stabilization fund because it reverted to unallocated general revenue. No bills were heard, no votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after the presentation and discussion.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Sixty Three - Tuesday, May 5th
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- She comes to us from the CLIP program. She's a pre-law intern.
- The summer camp, correct? Right. Yes. Is that... ...real quick. Sure. The summer camp, correct?
- Page one, line 25: summer camps shall not include any religious-based summer camps.
- Page one, line 25: summer camps shall not include any religious-based summer camps. Thank you.
- And they began going to summer camps and getting summer camps to register with them for them to do the
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration, June 24, 2026 - AM
Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration
Transcript Highlights:
- student program funding support.
- We presented to WASBO at their summer presented to WASBO at their summer conference as well as WASA and
- What we are going to do this summer What we are going to do this summer is address the very issues that
- My SROs have taught reading programs, bike safety, internet safety, anti-bullying programs.
- Approximately 165 students a summer.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
2026 Joint Budget Subcommittee on Environment/ Agriculture/ Housing - 03/17/2026
Transcript Highlights:
- successful program.
- We should be relaunching the Summer Empire Summer Games and the Empire Sports Entertainment Fund to help
- We should be relaunching the Summer Empire Summer Games and the Empire Sports Entertainment Fund to help
- We should be relaunching the Summer Empire Summer Games and the Empire Sports Entertainment Fund to help
- We should be relaunching the Summer Empire Summer Games and the Empire Sports Entertainment Fund to help
Summary:
The Joint Conference Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Housing opened budget negotiations for the 2026-2027 enacted budget, with Senate and Assembly leaders outlining their one-house proposals and committee members giving brief remarks. The discussion covered environment, agriculture, housing, parks, and energy, with repeated emphasis on affordability, climate resilience, and support for rural and urban communities. Senate and Assembly chairs described the process and noted the agencies present, while minority members criticized the overall size of the budgets and urged more attention to housing affordability, building stakeholders, and energy costs.
On the environment and energy side, the Senate highlighted proposals for $138 million in additional clean water infrastructure funding, a $75 million increase to the Environmental Protection Fund, $95 million in restored parks capital, $200 million for the Energy Affordability Program, and $1 billion for Sustainable Futures 2.0, including a proposed revival of the NY STUN program. The Assembly said it increased the EPF to $500 million, raised clean water infrastructure funding to $800 million, and included targeted amounts for cities, rural housing-related water projects, Cornell Ag Tech, and the Center for Sustainable Materials Management. Democrats argued that high utility bills are driven by natural gas costs rather than clean energy, while Senate and Assembly Republicans said the CLCPA and other energy mandates are increasing costs and should be reconsidered.
Agriculture remarks focused on research, farm support, and resilience. Senator Hinchey described funding for Cornell’s COWS program, Farm to School amendments, $7 million for farm worker housing, and a new $20 million Farm Weather Resiliency Grant Program. Chair Lupardo said the Assembly added $16 million over the Governor’s proposal for educational research and outreach, restored support for beginning and disadvantaged farmers, and backed dairy, livestock, hemp fiber, and natural fibers initiatives, while also accepting $30 million in farmer tariff relief if guidelines are set. Minority Assembly Member Tague supported dairy infrastructure funding but criticized the farm labor overtime phase-down and the CLCPA’s impacts on farms.
Housing discussion centered on major capital and assistance programs. The Assembly proposed $200 million more for the Housing Access Voucher Program, $100 million for Mitchell-Lama and NYCHA, $50 million for down payment assistance, $4 million for fair housing testing, land banks, and $40 million for the Homeowner Protection Program. The Senate outlined similar priorities, including $500 million for NYCHA, $100 million for Mitchell-Lama preservation, $250 million total for HAVP, and additional funding for mixed-income rental development, vacant rentals, senior housing, and block-by-block infill. Chair Rosenthal said rent stabilization was not being changed in the budget, while Republican members argued that affordability requires lower taxes, lower utility costs, and fewer regulatory burdens. No votes were taken; the meeting was an opening round of budget negotiations and ended with closing remarks from both sides.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Higher Education Institutions Committee Apr 9th, 2026 at 08:30 am
Higher Education Institutions Committee
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Education Study May 29th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- So I'll get a next slide to give you an update on the summer reading program.
- So for our summer reading program, this is our 2nd year, as you know.
- Um, last summer, um, we had just over 6700 students actually complete the program.
- We had more register, but they didn't all complete the program this summer we are, um.
- will have access to this program throughout the summer.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Conference Committee on HF2431 5/17/25 - Part 4
Transcript Highlights:
- On line 34, the Senate accepts program.
- It seems very persistent that the summer economic or summer academic enrichment program, which the governor
- summer economic or summer academic summer economic or summer academic enrichment<00:15:51.279>
what's the deal with this program? what's the deal with this program?- program which the governor enrichment program which the governor had<00:15:53.040>
cut <00:15: - program which the governor enrichment program which the governor had<00:15:53.040>
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- What happens in the summer when kids are not in school with the charter school is summer break.
- Most camps and summer programs won't accept a child with autism.
- What we want to do is have a grant program that will establish summer programs for autism, and that would
- And I think with your help and program we are going to provide that to them.
- We have a program where they are working in various facilities across the state.
Bills:
SJR18, SCR9, SCR13, SB10, SB11, SB19, SB20, SB25, SB62, SB260, SB263, SB293, SB314, SB384, SB412, SB441, SB442, SB494, SB523, SB569, SB616, SB688, SB707, SB766, SB842, SB869, SB890, SB914, SB929, SB971, SB992, SB1066, SB1145, SB1621, SJR36, SJR18, SCR9, SCR13, SB616, SB565, SB384, SB372, SB495, SB842, SB971, SB1066, SB929, SB765, SB523, SB62, SB19, SB18, SB666, SB688, SB707, SB888, SB687, SB706, SB847, SB869, SB890, SB992, SB1145, SB494, SB290, SB766, SB11, SB10, SB13, SB263, SB412, SB20, SB441, SB442, SB1621, SB569, SB314, SB25, SB293, SB914, SB260, SB1248, SB740, SB14, SB1006, SB20, SB25, SB260, SB293, SB314, SB384, SB442, SB494, SB616, SB869, SB890, SB929, SB992, SB1145, SB1621, SR232, SR237, SR242, SB16, SB22
Keywords:
capital gains, taxation, constitutional amendment, state revenue, individual investment, Supreme Court, judicial independence, Keep Nine, checks and balances, water rights, treaty compliance, Rio Grande, agriculture, drought, international water, Texas water supply, education, Ten Commandments, public schools, religious display
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 3/6/25
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- This summer will be the second full summer with the social district, so at the end of the summer is when
- Summer with the social second full Summer with the social District<00:04:18.919>
so <00:04:19.040 - <00:04:19.799>
is District so at the end of the summer is District so at the end of the summer - So we have events a lot in the summer, but they're not all summer events.
- <00:41:53.359>
but have events a lot in the summer but have events a lot in the summer but
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Environment and Natural Resources Oct 15th, 2025
Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- It talks specifically about the state programs for Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program
- This summer we had none.
- This summer we had none.
- We haven’t had any lost summers.
- Projects Program.
Summary:
The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources met to hear presentations on Lake Okeechobee from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the South Florida Water Management District, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. FWC described the lake as a major recreation, water supply, and habitat resource, and outlined its habitat management plan, including control of invasive plants, prescribed fire, and restoration of native vegetation. The agency said low water levels have helped submerged aquatic vegetation recover, with gains in 2025 exceeding 24,000 acres and meeting its target, while torpedo grass and floating invasive plants remain active management priorities. Senators asked about bass fishing trends and blue-green algae; FWC said water levels are the main driver of fishery health and that it was not seeing current water-quality impacts on bass, though algal blooms can affect habitat and wildlife.
The South Florida Water Management District focused on nutrient pollution, lake ecology, and restoration projects across the watershed. Director Drew Bartlett said the district’s work is aimed at reducing harmful discharges, improving water quality, and moving more water south to the Everglades through storage and treatment projects, including the EAA Reservoir, C-43 and C-44 reservoirs, aquifer storage and recovery, and wetland treatment areas. He said the state and federal governments have invested about $9 billion in restoration, roughly split 50-50, and that the EAA Reservoir is now targeted for completion in 2029. He also said Lake Okeechobee BMAP participation is around 92% and that recent data show phosphorus and nitrogen loading declines, though the lake remains impaired and eutrophic. An industry witness from Associated Industries of Florida said the BMAP and agricultural best management practices are producing measurable improvements and urged continued funding for water storage and treatment.
The Army Corps of Engineers then explained LOSOM and Lake Recovery operations, saying the new operating approach balances flood control, water supply, navigation, ecology, and estuary protection. Colonel Brandon Bowman said Lake Recovery was implemented in late 2024 to bring the lake below 12 feet long enough to help submerged vegetation rebound, and reported that the lake met both recovery metrics, with water levels low enough to support a major increase in SAV from about 4,000 acres to 28,000 acres in 2025. He also noted benefits such as improved water clarity and more Okeechobee gourd plants, but acknowledged drawbacks including reduced navigation and some impacts to wading birds and snail kites. Senators pressed the Corps on the C-44 reservoir’s sloughing issue; Bowman said repairs are underway, the problem is geological rather than a safety failure, and the Corps expects to award a contract by 2027 and complete work by 2030. The committee did not take any substantive vote on the presentations and adjourned after Senator Smith moved to do so.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII Feb 27th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII
Transcript Highlights:
- and how in what aspect in the summer meals program sir particularly for summer he E.T.
- We have not slowed down in our summer feeding program.
- The programs that we operate, whether it's the Summer Food Service Program or the Seamers.
- Seamless summer option that many school districts operate during the summer our programs where we actually
- Participation in the summer EBT program does not prohibit the child from also receiving the summer EBT
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Status of Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- Have you considered partnering with the mayoral summer youth employment programs...
- Have you considered partnering with the mayoral summer youth employment programs or even volunteerism
- I think that's how long the mayoral programs last in the summer.
- Have you considered partnering with the mayoral summer youth employment programs, Have you considered
- I think that's how long the mayoral programs last in the summer.
Summary:
The Employment Subcommittee of the Permit Commission on Status of Persons with Disabilities met on April 27 and approved the prior meeting minutes before hearing a presentation from the Lawrence Partnership for Transition to Employment (LPTE). Presenters from UMass Boston’s Institute for Community Inclusion, the Arc of Greater Haverhill-Newburyport, Northeast, and Lawrence Public Schools described LPTE as a five-year grant focused on improving transition outcomes for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Lawrence through community partnerships, work groups, and family engagement.
A major focus was a family survey designed to better understand barriers to transition planning and IEP participation. Presenters said the survey response rate increased sharply after Lawrence Public Schools helped distribute it, rising from about a dozen responses to more than 200. Survey findings showed common barriers such as scheduling conflicts, language access, childcare, transportation, and limited understanding of IEPs and transition planning. The data also suggested that many families expect college or employment outcomes for their children, but fewer reported access to pre-employment training, indicating a communication gap rather than a lack of services.
Lawrence school staff explained that the district has a five-person transition team, bilingual resources, workshops, and a developing online transition hub, and that they are using the survey results to improve visibility and access to existing supports. Committee members discussed the need to start transition planning earlier, expand real-world work experiences, improve outreach to Latino families, and better connect students with college, trade, and employment pathways. Several members suggested partnerships with summer youth employment, volunteer programs, and college or alumni panels. The presenters said the grant ends in September, but the resource hub will continue through the Arc and they are exploring ways to sustain the consortium model. The meeting ended with thanks to the presenters, an update that committee members would meet with Seed on Massachusetts as a model employer, and notice that the next meeting would feature the Office of Veteran Affairs before adjournment.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 20th, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- extend the hours of liquor licenses and to allow for public consumption in designated districts in summer
- President, if we are going to engage in a pilot program of this nature, then it's important that we learn
- everything possible from the pilot program.
- to look at all of the circumstances occasioned by the local adoption of the measure of the pilot program
- 2026, House number... ...and to allow for public consumption in designated districts in summer 2026,
Summary:
The Senate began with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted a resolution congratulating Douglas Fire Chief John J. Perna on his retirement. It then took up several local and personnel matters, including sick leave bank bills for Shannon Manning of the trial court and Stephanie Rivera of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office; both were amended to add emergency preambles and passed to be engrossed. The chamber also advanced local legislation on special meetings of the Holyoke City Council, the Reading home rule charter, a parkland exchange in Lexington, and a means-tested senior citizen property tax exemption for North Attleboro, along with a House bill concerning land conveyance in Fall River, which was ordered to a third reading. The Senate also received a committee report on a Newton pension obligation bonds bill, referred it to the municipalities and regional government committees, and adopted an order to meet again in formal session on Thursday at 11 a.m.
A major policy item was a House bill creating a temporary summer 2026 pilot program allowing municipalities to opt in to extended liquor license hours and public consumption in designated districts. Senator Todd offered an amendment requiring an interagency report on the pilot’s effects on behavior, public safety, and transportation; the amendment was adopted, as was the bill as amended, and the Senate later concurred in a further House amendment. The bill then received the required emergency preamble by standing vote and was passed to be enacted, to be signed by the President and sent to the Governor.
The Senate also paused for a personal privilege recognition honoring three Canton High School state championship teams: the boys golf team, boys hockey team, and girls track and field team. The remarks highlighted their state titles, individual achievements, coaches and school leaders, and included special recognition for boys hockey coach Brian Schumann on his retirement after 23 seasons. The teams were welcomed to the chamber and told citations would be issued and the recognition entered into the journal.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Veterans’ & Military Affairs Jun 30th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Colonel Anaya will also be swapping out this summer.
- Our hope is that programs like transitional housing, suicide prevention, and other grant programs will
- the summer, and publishing an awards list in the late summer to early fall.
- This places the DCIP and DCCA programs at odds, with both programs essentially telling projects the other
- program needs to commit their funding first.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs met to hear updates from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the Washington Military Department, the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Commerce on federal and state impacts affecting veterans, military families, and military installations. JBLM’s garrison commander said the base remains focused on housing, child care, and spouse employment, but is facing workforce reductions tied to federal personnel actions, especially in air traffic control, 911 dispatch, and firefighting. He also said JBLM is preparing for increased mutual-aid needs during fire season, and that the Army Transformation Initiative could change unit composition at JBLM over time without a major overall population shift. He confirmed that the Lewis Army Museum is on a closure list, but said the building will remain in use for training and that the base is exploring partnerships to keep museum functions operating, possibly with volunteers or local partners.
The Washington Military Department reported about 400 Guard members deployed on federal missions and described ongoing state missions in cybersecurity and firefighting. The department said the Army National Guard’s 81st Stryker Brigade will transition to a mobile combat team, with associated changes in equipment, manning, and end strength. It also warned that continuing resolutions are delaying funding, limiting new military construction starts, and increasing costs. The Washington Department of Veterans Affairs outlined a $3.2 million reduction from the governor’s budget and related cuts affecting internships, vacant positions, outreach travel, claims support contracts, counseling and wellness, veterans’ innovation assistance, and the military transition and readiness council staff position. WDVA said it is ending or scaling back several programs, including in-house nursing assistant training, the veteran farm at Ordean, Vet Corps due to AmeriCorps funding changes, and the tobacco cessation program, while noting that the legislature funded about $23.7 million in capital projects for veteran homes, cemeteries, and transitional housing.
The Department of Commerce presented on the Defense Community Compatibility Account, which funds projects that reduce conflicts between military installations and nearby communities. The program currently has 10 projects across five legislative districts, including school and child care improvements, water wells, land acquisition, and a joint firefighting training center in Everett. The presenter said the main challenge is that DCCA projects often need non-state funding secured before they can compete, which can make it hard to leverage federal Defense Community Infrastructure Program dollars; he recommended more flexible state timing to help projects qualify for federal funding. In closing discussion, members raised possible future agenda items including child care near bases, veteran homelessness, suicide prevention, Navy Day, military family housing, and a possible Department of Licensing issue involving guard and reserve designations on driver’s licenses. No formal votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after members were invited to suggest topics for the October and December committee meetings.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (04/21/2025)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- parameters that each program has. parameters that each program has.
- assistance program.
- of any such program. of any such program.
- Representative Summers. Yes. Yes. Representative Summers. Yes.
- Representative Summers. Yes. Yes. Representative Summers. Yes.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Geothermal energy debate program.
- Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP.
- It would allow us to address more individuals but also to keep the program open during the summer months
- to include benefits in the summer months.
- The program season has ended.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
An oversight hearing to examine Native communities' priorities for the 119th Congress. Feb 12th, 2025 at 01:30 pm
Indian Affairs Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- , whether it's the school lunch programs. school breakfast programs, summer food services, the child
- I think about, for instance, specifically like that the summer food programs where you don't have the
- I think also with the school lunch program. During the summer, these kids often go without meals.
- , for the kids to come to an after-school program. or a summer school program where they actually get
- . but during the summer when they can do bag lunches for the kids to take or come to a summer program
Keywords:
tribal sovereignty, healthcare, education, public safety, Economic Development, Tax Parity Act, PROTECT Act, trust obligations, bipartisan support, Indian Health Services
Summary:
The committee meeting focused on crucial issues facing tribal nations, particularly emphasizing the federal government's trust and treaty obligations. The discussions highlighted ongoing challenges such as disparities in healthcare, education, and public safety within Native communities. Chair Murkowski underscored the importance of listening to Native leaders and aligning congressional efforts with community needs, advocating for legislative actions that support tribal sovereignty and economic development. Various initiatives, including the Tax Parity Act and the PROTECT Act, aimed at addressing jurisdictional and financial disparities, were discussed in detail. A call for bipartisan support to alleviate the funding shortages affecting Indian Health Services was made several times during the meeting. Testimonies from tribal leaders and representatives emphasized the dire need for legislative support to enhance infrastructure, healthcare access, and public safety initiatives in tribal communities.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Water Topics Overview Committee Jun 10th, 2026
Water Topics Overview Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- We did open bids this summer.
- later this summer.
- later this summer.
- the drinking water program.
- through their cost share program.
Summary:
The Water Topics Overview Committee met to review several interim studies and receive updates from the Department of Water Resources. The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes, observed a moment of silence for the late Representative Conmy, and welcomed Representative Hansen to the committee. Staff then reported that the watershed management study and the stormwater/wastewater study had both satisfied the presentation requirements in their study directives, with no further required testimony unless members wanted additional information.
The department’s main presentation focused on major water projects and agency operations. Reese Haas and staff updated members on the NAWS project, the Southwest Pipeline Project, Devils Lake outlet operations, low-head dam safety work, floodplain management repository implementation, data center water use, and the 2027 Water Development Plan. Members asked detailed questions about NAWS funding sources, remaining project costs, capacity concerns for All Seasons and other users, and whether current construction is being designed for future demand. The department said NAWS remains on track for substantial completion by October, that remaining NAWS funding will come from a mix of federal, state, and local sources, and that current construction is designed for ultimate capacity while some future components will be adjusted for increased demand.
A large portion of the meeting was devoted to the department’s cash management, Resources Trust Fund revenues, carryover balances, and the State Water Commission’s cost-share program. The department reported $340.6 million in carryover remaining, explained that much of it is already obligated to long-term projects, and noted that oil price forecasts and stripper-well exemptions will affect future revenues. Members raised concerns about large carryovers, affordability for local sponsors, and whether the state should continue obligating money multiple bienniums ahead. The department said it is working with the commission on a revised prioritization framework, including high/moderate/low project categories and a two-tier pre-construction/construction approach, to better manage obligations and affordability.
The committee also reviewed Deloitte’s finalized studies on regional governance/finance and cost-share policy. Deloitte presented options for Southwest, NAWS, and Red River governance, with stakeholders generally favoring keeping NAWS largely as is, using the current Southwest model with improvements, and pursuing a more structured governance option for Red River. On cost share, the department said Deloitte’s recommended package would cover projected needs through the 2030s, but would require policy changes such as lower percentages for some project types, a 25% replacement-project rate with a cap, and possible bonding or delayed reimbursement strategies. No votes were taken on these policy questions, and the chair indicated the committee would continue the discussion at future basin meetings and the September Water Topics meeting.