Transcript Highlights:

• Communications with applicants will improve, and policy makers will be better informed to make future
• with applicants will Communications with applicants will improve<00:15:59.600> and<00:15:59.840
• We also found and investigated communication breakdowns between applicants, veteran centers, and the
• <00:35:05.040> a capacity, which should give applicants a capacity, which should give applicants
• way for applicants to appeal decisions. way for applicants to appeal decisions.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:18:49.919> And the applications for pensions. And the applications for pensions.
• pensions are to us, but the applications pensions are to us, but the applications for<00:18:56.480
• , and school-level applicants.
• <01:13:58.640> state the course meets the applicable state the course meets the applicable
• application approved for posting in 26. application approved for posting in 26.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• company puts in a permit application company puts in a permit application it<00:28:56.960> should
• , DEES has to weight permit applications, DEES has to weight applications<00:43:33.200> using<
• dees as it's considering applications. dees as it's considering applications.
• And that was in my applicant.
• Representative Scully and then— be borne by the applicant. So that's be borne by the applicant.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If a district covers the cost of certification exams and associated requirements such as application
• Districts must submit a formal application and documentation verifying the cost incurred, and the TEA
• will then reimburse them the full amount, provided the application is approved.
• Districts must submit a formal application and documentation verifying the cost incurred, and the TEA
• will then reimburse them the full amount provided the application is approved.

Summary: The Subcommittee on Academic and Career-Oriented Education met briefly and considered only House Bill 1061, laid out by Representative Bojani. The bill would expand reimbursement for career and technology education (CTE) certification exam costs for students, teachers, and school districts. For students, it removes the current limit of one reimbursement so they can be reimbursed for multiple certification exams if they pass. For teachers, it broadens reimbursement beyond cybersecurity certifications to all CTE-related certifications. It also allows school districts that pay exam-related costs, including application or processing fees, to seek reimbursement from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) through an application process. During questions, members clarified that reimbursement would not be available if an individual failed the certification exam. Representative Schoolcraft asked about how the subsidy amount is determined and how the program is funded; the bill author said the amount is unchanged from current law and said he would follow up on funding details. No one testified for or against the bill. Representative Bojani closed on the bill, and the subcommittee left HB 1061 pending without objection. With no further business, the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• applications were approved.
• We can't take applications beyond that point.
• So every year, we've got a larger base of potential applicants.
• Applicants.
• So townships had 180 applications, 44% of the overall cost.

Summary: The Budget Section met to approve prior minutes and receive a series of budget, revenue, and program updates from OMB, the Tax Department, DOT, DMR, and DPI. OMB reported that general fund revenues through May were about $76 million below the legislative forecast, driven mainly by individual income tax and sales tax shortfalls, though the biennium is still projected to end with a positive balance. OMB also reviewed oil price and production assumptions, the budget stabilization fund transfer above its cap, Legacy Fund performance, federal grant applications, fiscal irregularities, tobacco settlement proceeds, budget guidelines for agencies, vacancy savings, and the DAPL settlement, noting that most of the settlement funds had been deposited but a small amount of accrued interest would require a future deficiency request. The committee then considered Emergency Commission requests. It approved requests for Public Service Commission abandoned mine lands federal authority, an Attorney General FTE and related funding for criminal investigator work tied to the Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship, and a DPI transfer for bridge software costs. After discussion, the committee also approved DPI’s request for a $500,000 transfer for the food vendor program, despite questions about the program’s savings and cash-flow structure. Later, the Tax Commissioner presented the primary residence credit program, reporting that current biennium costs are expected to exceed the appropriation by about $22 million and explaining how the credit interacts with homestead and disabled veteran credits and the 3% property tax levy cap. The Legacy and Budget Stabilization Fund Advisory Board reported strong returns for both funds, and DOT sought and received approval for two flexible fund highway projects on ND 49 and ND 31. DOT also updated members on Highway 85 construction and said remaining flex fund dollars were essentially fully allocated. DMR reported on the abandoned well plugging and site reclamation fund, noting North Dakota’s relatively small orphan well inventory, current and projected fund balances, rising remediation costs, and a possible need to adjust the fund cap in future sessions. Finally, DPI outlined the new integrated formula gap funding program, explaining that it compensates school districts that cannot reach the assumed 60-mill local contribution because of the 3% levy cap; the first year’s gap funding totaled about $1.8 million, with future costs expected to grow.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so in this case, these are all applications that are out there.
• We can't take applications beyond that point.
• So every year, we've got a larger base of potential applicants.
• We also have an interesting dynamic in Applicants.
• So townships had 180 applications, 44% of the overall cost.

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:

• So what this represents is the demand of our application round.
• So we have had an increase in the number of applications that we're seeing each year.
• So this is the multifamily projects that were selected in our 2025 September application round.
• And so we award half of it, and then the second-half application is due here in May.
• Chairman Sorvaag, what happens is the applications are due and then we rank and score them.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Processing future applications.
• analysis that helps support the application to show that... ...the project won't injure other water
• And so one of my questions was, you know, so for instance, when an applicant applies for a permit under
• The question was whether, after five years, applicants simply add the last five years to the existing
• Is that not applicable for your permit?

Summary: The hearing focused on oversight of AB 658 and the State Water Resources Control Board’s five-year temporary permits for groundwater recharge. Assembly Member Arambula and committee members discussed how the permits are intended to help capture high flows during wet periods, support SGMA implementation, and store water underground for later use. The State Water Board chair said the five-year permits have become an important tool, with seven five-year permits issued this season and over 43,000 acre-feet authorized, but noted that actual recharge depends on hydrology and that the board is open to improvements. Members and witnesses discussed several possible changes to make the program more effective: allowing a two-year delay before the five-year permit clock starts, codifying CEQA exemptions that have been used through executive order, and shifting from a public objection model to a public comment model to reduce delays. There was also discussion of water availability analyses, with some members asking whether the state could develop a broader statewide assessment to reduce consultant costs and make permitting more predictable. The board said such an effort would be large and costly, but could potentially save applicants money and improve consistency. District representatives described their experiences. Stockton East said the five-year permit was more cost-effective than repeated 180-day permits, but that the 90-20 methodology, consultant costs, and a burrowing owl survey condition made use difficult. Omaha-Hartnell Water District said its recharge work depends on simple, low-cost infrastructure and that five-year permits, CEQA reform, and lower upfront fees would help small districts. A consultant working with Scott Valley and Sierra Valley said five-year permits can work well in different basins, but local infrastructure, stakeholder coordination, streambed alteration agreements, and upstream flow constraints can limit recharge. Members also raised concerns about basin connectivity, downstream water rights, and the need to pair recharge with sustainable groundwater pumping and broader water storage planning.

Transcript Highlights:

• We currently have six applications, and we're working on additional items in the pipeline and notices
• We currently have 19 applications distributed between 9% tax credits and 4% tax credits.
• as part of the fourth round of applications, about $73 million.
• of the fourth round of applications, about $73 million.
• There are eight applications for about $73 million.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill creates a fall and spring application window for scholarship programs. application window for
• scholarship programs and requires the use of a single application for all scholarship programs.
• My question is, in addition to cross-checking the applicants, cross-checking and...
• First, because we are simplifying the application process. We are requiring a monthly notice of...
• It will expand application to political subdivisions of the state and expand application to regulate

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Anyway, it's really going to be a heavy lift for the applicant to get this incentive.
• It came and it went, and I didn't get my application in.
• And then when they found out, they didn't And I didn't get my application in.
• So as they apply and these applications are coming in, that is what we are vetting.
• He then raised another area: flexibility with the application deadline.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to continue its tax reform and relief study agenda, approved the December 3, 2025 minutes, and announced a new subcommittee to examine property tax statement issues with counties, auditors, and the tax office. Representative Headland was named chair, Senator Rummel vice chair, and Representatives Dressler and Dr. Dr. and Senator Patton were also assigned. The chair noted the group may need an additional meeting and thanked staff and attendees. A major portion of the meeting focused on economic development incentives. The Department of Commerce presented on the Renaissance Zone program and TIF districts, describing Renaissance Zones as locally tailored tools that combine local property tax relief with state income tax incentives. Commerce said the program has supported thousands of projects since 1999 and cited examples from Beach and Mandan showing increases in property and taxable value, business retention, housing, and downtown revitalization. Committee members raised concerns that smaller rural communities often lack the staff and expertise to apply, and Commerce said it provides outreach through conferences, office hours, and one-on-one assistance. League of Cities and local officials from Bismarck and Ellendale echoed the capacity issue, discussed how the programs have worked in their communities, and suggested possible reforms or more targeted support for small towns. Ellendale’s mayor also described two TIF districts, one for industrial infrastructure in Oaks and one for housing infrastructure tied to a data center project in Ellendale. The committee then turned to stripper oil taxation. The Tax Department gave a comparison of oil and gas tax structures in selected states, noting that most have some form of stripper or marginal well provision, while Alaska does not appear to have a specific stripper-well exemption. Members asked for more detail on definitions and North Dakota’s annual adjusted rate. The Department of Mineral Resources followed with a detailed presentation on North Dakota stripper wells, explaining the statutory thresholds, the 12-consecutive-month production test, and the fact that once a well qualifies it remains on stripper status even if production later rises. DMR said about 11,332 stripper wells are active, representing roughly 54% of wells and about 16% of state production, and emphasized that stripper status can extend well life, preserve tax revenue, and reduce orphaned wells. Committee members and industry witnesses discussed refracs, the economics of keeping marginal wells active, and the competitive disadvantage created by North Dakota’s oil price discount. No votes were taken on these informational items.

Transcript Highlights:

• Your agency has experienced some in processing the SNAP applications?
• What do you need to actually process these applications timely? Yes sir.
• So about 58% of our applications are in. in that backlog status.
• Let's talk about Medicaid and CHIP applications. backlogs.
• Medicaid, standard Medicaid applications, and then up to sophistication working our MEPD applications

Bills: SB1, SB 1

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

Transcript Highlights:

• And telephone applications.
• You have 30 days to get it, or they don't approve the application.
• The election code provides that a candidate's application is public upon filing.
• were not able to get those applications timely.
• Be the recipients of the applications for a place on the ballot.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• about being applicable to the building or to the operation, or is it if you have local building and
• Could you help me understand exactly what that if applicable means?
• being applicable to the building about being applicable to the building or<01:28:27.760> to<01
• exactly what that if applicable means? exactly what that if applicable means?
• So you must have sign-off if applicable. If there's no one to sign off, you can't do that.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• MMCDC reviews all applications for completeness and ensures equal access to complete applications on
• We assign complete applications to partner DPA lenders across the state to support those lenders.
• MMCDC reviews all applications for completeness and ensures equal access to complete applications on
• <01:09:51.080> we<01:09:51.199> had<01:09:51.480> applications applications we had
• applications applications we had applications submitted<01:09:52.799> that<01:09:52.960> did

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• time frames to process these applicants.
• can appear to be delayed is because the board must wait for the applicant to provide missing information
• time to review of the authority in the bill to charge a fee to qualified applicants is unclear as the
• board does not follow a different process when reviewing expedited applications.
• It is not expected to make a substantial reduction in the time needed to review an application and issue

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These employee panelists review these and score applications based on.
• the panel of governor's office employees and places responsibility for evaluating and scoring applications
• DAG grant applications and save the office of gov of the governor time and effort.
• we have 12 applications.
• owned or operated radar or military installation within 50 nautical miles of the tower and the applicable

Transcript Highlights:

• . ...needs to be able to verify residency immediately at intake for each applicant, rather than waiting
• On safety concerns, the bill will permanently require each individual applicant or beneficiary of the
• It also requires CORI checks for each individual adult applicant or beneficiary prior to placement in
• If there is a failure to report the necessary information for complete verification, the applicant or
• Section 1, the executive office shall require each individual adult applicant or beneficiary to disclose

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House considered House No. 57, a $425 million supplemental appropriations bill for fiscal year 2025 to fund the emergency shelter/emergency housing assistance system and related activities. The bill, as described by the chair of Ways and Means, included major policy changes requested by the Governor: immediate residency verification at intake, limits on eligibility, required criminal history disclosures and CORI checks, a reduced maximum shelter stay from nine months to six months with hardship waivers, temporary respite sites for 30 days, and a cap on system capacity. Supporters argued the changes were needed to preserve the right-to-shelter system amid fiscal strain and federal inaction; opponents said the bill still did not go far enough or, in some cases, went too far and risked harming families and children. The House debated and voted on numerous amendments, mostly focused on tightening eligibility or changing shelter operations. Several Republican amendments to reduce funding, impose a one-year residency requirement, require broader background checks, limit eligibility to homelessness caused within Massachusetts, and require cooperation with ICE were rejected, often after roll call votes. A point of order was sustained on multiple amendments as beyond the scope of the bill, including proposals affecting court officers, law enforcement, and ICE-related provisions. The House also rejected amendments to cut the appropriation from $425 million to $200 million and to add other restrictions on eligibility and administration. Some amendments were adopted. A redrafted Amendment 27, offered by Rep. Decker, was adopted 25-25 on a tie vote and expanded protections to children under age six and added related hardship/extension language. A subsequent amendment by Rep. Consalvo was adopted unanimously to add disability-related protections and extend benefits in certain cases. Another amendment by Rep. Finn was adopted to modify language about seeking federal reimbursement, and Amendment 9 was adopted to require competitive bidding for certain service funds. After debate and roll call, the bill was passed to be engrossed by a vote of 126-26. The House then observed a moment of tribute for Doug Selfick and adjourned to meet again Monday at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the subsection so that application of the subsection so that will<00:03:28.439> apply<00:03
• Starting on July 1, 2026, it requires all applicants for a motorcycle instruction permit to successfully
• <00:08:35.279> for<00:08:35.479> a<00:08:35.919> motorcycle all applicants for
• a motorcycle all applicants for a motorcycle instruction<00:08:36.839> permit<00:08:37.120>
• checks or credit reports if an applicant provides a certified copy of a criminal background check or

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee took up a series of Senate bills and generally advanced most of them, often with technical or substantive amendments. SB 15 on the definition of historic property was amended to narrow the definition to properties at least 50 years old that are culturally significant or otherwise significant for Hawaii Register purposes, and it passed. SB 97 on excessive speeding was amended to clarify felony penalty language, license revocation timing, and fingerprinting procedures, and passed. Other bills passed as is or unamended included SB 145 on water shortages, SB 108 on accessible parking enforcement, SB 660 on hospitality anti-harassment measures and panic buttons, SB 1662 on landlord application fees and tenant screening reports, SB 1421 on Department of Health provider arrangements, SB 1439 on DOH nuisance authority, and SB 1452 updating controlled substances law. SB 1454 on wage payment violations passed with technical amendments only, while SB 1481 on motorcycle instruction permits was deferred as not ready. Several bills received more substantial changes. SB 253 on condominium association budget summaries was amended to require a single document and to shift the standard to substantial compliance; it passed. SB 371 on critical infrastructure damage was amended to remove a section affecting manslaughter law and to apply specifically to broadband and cable networks; it passed. SB 984 on water pollution liability for large landowners was advanced with a defective date. SB 1517 on public land leases for recreational residential use was amended to change the lease term to five years and add a defective date. SB 1074 on temporary continuation of challenged activities during environmental review was significantly amended to limit the provision to currently authorized activities, add a one-year limit with possible court extension, and clarify other terms; it passed. SB 1322 on emergency mental health transport was amended to restore provider-initiated transport language, require notice and coordination, remove special immunity provisions, and clarify court-ordered treatment procedures; it passed. The committee also passed SB 1496 on disability access to information in public accommodations, with a request that the committee report discuss the Roe v. St. Pizza case and the distinction between physical and digital accommodations. SB 1255 on Uniform Information Practices Act record retention was deferred as not ready. At the end of the meeting, the chair noted that both agendas were completed and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We added the requirement to use the statewide approved applicant tracking system for vacancy announcements
• We removed the two-year internship eligibility window to be considered as an internal applicant.
• They had seen applicants with 100 hours of observation but no actual hands-on experience, and they were
• Schmidt said Proposal 6 was to clarify the application for the cell fires.
• Permit application fees for critical mineral exploration and critical minerals processing facilities

Summary: The committee approved the March 12, 2026 minutes and granted the Board of Medicine an extension of time to implement rule changes tied to House Bill 1620/1622, which concern North Dakota’s entry into the physician assistant licensure compact. The Board said it is waiting on compact rules, especially fee structures, before finalizing its own rules. The committee then took up extensive Office of Management and Budget personnel rule revisions, covering salary administration, recruitment, leave policies, funeral leave, service awards, appeals, and shared leave. OMB said the changes modernize HR practices and implement recent legislation, including new hire leave and enhanced annual leave for hard-to-fill positions; the committee raised concerns about the subjectivity and fairness of the hard-to-fill leave provisions, but no action was taken against the rules. The North Dakota Lottery presented emergency and regular rule changes, including updates tied to the Millionaire for Life game and miscellaneous clarifications. The Board of Examiners for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology described rule updates that add speech-language pathology assistants to the rules, ease continuing education requirements for out-of-state applicants, expand temporary licensure, and clarify supervision standards. The State Electrical Board reviewed numerous code updates, including changes to electrical and fire alarm standards, receptacle labeling, countertop receptacles, and a major new conveyance/elevator inspection program added by the Legislature; the board said it is preparing to begin inspections by August 1. The Industrial Commission’s Geological Survey Division presented new rules implementing House Bill 1459 on critical minerals in coal-bearing formations, including permit, reporting, confidentiality, and royalty-related provisions. The committee asked about confidentiality of exploration data and drilling depth. The Public Employees Retirement System outlined rule changes implementing several bills affecting defined benefit, public safety, defined contribution, insurance, deferred compensation, and retiree health credit programs, and noted possible future proposals to add state EMS or create a LOSAP-style plan. The Department of Health and Human Services presented substance use disorder voucher rules implementing House Bill 1012, including allowing individuals to apply directly and setting reimbursement procedures; the rules were expected to have a $250,000 general fund impact already included in the budget. The longest discussion involved the Gaming Commission rules. Members questioned whether the commission had authority to raise poker tournament buy-ins from $300 to $1,500, viewing it as an expansion of gaming rather than a mere clarification. After debate, the committee voted to void that specific rule section for lack of statutory authority. The rest of the gaming rules covered higher raffle limits from House Bill 1192, the change from “bar” to “alcoholic beverage establishment,” veterans’ organization proceeds, credit ticket voucher kiosks, online raffles, and advertising restrictions; the presenter said several public comments led to revisions or withdrawals of proposed language. The meeting ended with discussion of upcoming Ethics Commission travel-reporting rules and scheduling the next committee meeting in September.