Video & Transcript : 'disclosure statement' :
Page 433 of 500
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Audit Commission - Evaluation Subcommittee 5/8/26
Transcript Highlights:
- And with tax statutes, we don't put, or at least the Senate doesn't, we don't put purpose statements
- we don't at least the Senate doesn't, we don't put<00:22:50.480><c> purpose</c><00:22:51.040><c> statements
- </c><00:22:52.920><c> The</c> put purpose statements in them. The put purpose statements in them.
Summary:
The subcommittee met on May 8, 2026, to narrow 12 proposed Legislative Audit Commission evaluation topics down to 8-10 semi-finalists for a legislative survey. Deputy Legislative Auditor Jodi Munson Rodriguez reviewed the selection criteria and explained which topics were promising now, which might be better deferred to fall because of timing or data limitations, and which were less promising because OLA would have limited ability to add value. She identified the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy, DHS Adult Day Services Licensing, DHS county service approvals and provision, MDH mortuary science program, MPCA feedlot permitting, Minnesota paid leave, the Office of Cannabis Management, and several other DHS-related items as candidates, while recommending that DHS system modernization be shifted to an IT audit and that corporate concentration be narrowed substantially if pursued.
Members discussed several topics in detail. Representative Lee asked how a broad DHS county services topic could be narrowed and suggested providing legislators with an addendum listing possible subprograms so they would know what they were ranking; Munson Rodriguez said OLA could add a few suggested subtopics and tailor the survey materials. Representative Hansen urged that the MPCA feedlot permitting review focus on effectiveness and environmental and health impacts, not just speed, and Munson Rodriguez said those kinds of questions could be added. The Office of Cannabis Management was viewed as promising but probably too new to evaluate immediately, and the MDH mortuary science program was also seen as worthwhile but potentially delayed because of overlap with other MDH licensing work.
The Minnesota research tax credit drew the most extended discussion. Munson Rodriguez said it remained a weak fit for OLA because of limited data and unclear program goals, and Senator Rest argued it would be better handled by the Department of Revenue’s research staff or possibly the Legislative Budget Office’s tax expenditure research section. Representative Lee asked whether OLA’s financial audit division could review whether the credit “pays for itself,” but Munson Rodriguez said that would require econometric analysis outside the financial audit division’s normal work. The committee did not take a formal vote in the portion provided, but the chair indicated the tax credit issue should be brought to the full commission agenda, and the meeting continued with additional topic review, including the Attorney General Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, which staff said was heavily federally controlled and already reviewed by federal OIG, limiting OLA’s likely impact.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- afford so we're increasing that exemption so that they can stay in their home and making that a value statement
- /c><00:53:19.840><c> that</c><00:53:20.240><c> a</c><00:53:20.320><c> value</c><00:53:20.640><c> statement
- </c> home and making that a value statement home and making that a value statement here<00:53:21.280>
Committee:
Senate Taxes
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Taxes Committee considers bill creating new income tax tier to increase local, county aid Apr 29th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- They say that it lowers property taxes, although sometimes I say it needs to show up on my property statement
- ><00:31:37.240><c> on</c><00:31:37.320><c> my</c><00:31:37.520><c> property</c><00:31:38.160><c> statement
- ,</c><00:31:38.720><c> you</c> show up on my property statement, you show up on my property statement
Summary:
House File 4845 was presented as a tax modernization and local aid bill that would adjust Minnesota income tax brackets for inflation, add a new top bracket of 10.85% for high earners, and increase local government aid and county program aid beginning in 2026. Representative Hollins said the bill would strengthen local government funding and require the Department of Revenue to recertify aid distributions. The chair noted the bill would be laid over for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill.
Supporters, including St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter? no, Mayor Kelly Her of St. Paul, AFSCME Local 34, and Rebuild Minnesota, argued that cities and counties need more stable revenue to cover rising costs, public safety, human services, and property tax pressure. They said the bill would help local governments meet unmet needs and reduce reliance on property taxes. Opponents from the Minnesota Business Partnership and Minnesota Chamber of Commerce argued the new top rate would hurt competitiveness, talent recruitment, and business investment, especially because many businesses pay through the individual income tax code. Some testifiers also opposed directing more aid to cities that they said restrict housing development, while others urged the committee to address unfunded mandates and fraud instead of raising taxes.
During member discussion, Representative Joyce opposed creating another bracket and suggested using cannabis tax revenue instead. Representative Wiener said the state has a spending problem and cited fraud concerns, while Representative Roach questioned whether the bill truly helped greater Minnesota and noted the current LGA appropriation is just over $644 million. Representative Hollins responded that the proposal would mostly benefit greater Minnesota by shifting more of the tax burden to high earners in the metro area. No vote was taken; the bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Education Committee Apr 22nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Preparedness, obviously, is a reflection of our K through 12 system that I'm not addressing in my statements
- To say that children are our future is an overused statement, but to say that we are failing our youth
- To say that children are our future is an overused statement, but to say that we are failing our youth
- The American Academy of Pediatrics just put out a pretty landmark policy statement based on a growing
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on SB 1067, which would require annual early math screening for K-2 students beginning in 2028-29 to identify learning gaps and connect students to evidence-based support. Senator Weber and supporters, including EdVoice and UC Davis researcher Dr. Charles Wilkes, argued that California’s low math performance and persistent achievement gaps justify early identification and intervention. Opponents, including the California Mathematics Council, county superintendents, and CTA, said the bill could create a new mandate, encourage narrow skill-based instruction, and divert attention from implementing the California Mathematics Framework and investing in teacher training and coaching. Committee members discussed how the screener would work, whether it would identify disabilities or simply flag students needing further evaluation, and cited examples of districts already using early screening tools. No vote was taken because quorum had not yet been established at that point.
SB 1110, a child care subsidy administration bill, was presented next. Senator Becker and co-sponsors from the Child Care Resource Center and EveryChild California said the measure would stabilize the child care system as the state moves to enrollment-based funding by clarifying funding for administrative and family-service functions and helping providers maintain staffing, payment timelines, and compliance. There was support from several child care and education organizations and no opposition testimony. The bill was not voted on because the committee still lacked quorum.
After recess, the committee heard SB 1374, which would allow public higher education institutions to seek temporary restraining orders on their own behalf when they face credible threats of violence. The CSU Chancellor’s Office and San Diego State police described incidents where threats were directed at campuses broadly rather than specific individuals, leaving institutions without a legal remedy under current law. UC and independent colleges supported the bill, and there was no opposition. The bill was held on call pending quorum. The committee then took up SB 1321, which would direct the State Auditor to review remedial course use and student preparedness at selected UC and CSU campuses. Senator Nila and supporters argued that recent UC San Diego data show severe gaps in incoming students’ math preparation and that the audit would help assess admissions and placement practices; there was no opposition testimony. Members raised concerns about the scope and timing of the audit request, and the bill was held on call.
The committee also heard SB 1086 on microschools, which would define microschools in statute and direct model ordinances for local land use regulation. Supporters said microschools are growing but face inconsistent zoning treatment, while some members questioned whether the Legislature had enough information to define the model or direct state guidance without more study. After quorum was established, the committee voted SB 1086 out on a 4-1 vote to the Senate Appropriations Committee, with Senator Perez voting aye, Senator Ochoa Bogh aye, and Senator Cabaldon no; the remaining votes were not fully recorded in the transcript. Finally, SB 1181 was presented as a voluntary pilot program in Central Valley counties to allow schools to share credible safety concerns with regional threat assessment centers. Senator Hurtado and supporters, including the mother of a student killed in a shooting and Corcoran High School students, said the bill would improve early intervention and communication around threats. Members expressed support while also raising privacy and federal-sharing concerns about fusion centers; the bill was discussed but no vote was taken in the excerpt.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 087 Part 2 Apr 11th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a true statement. >> [laughter] >> Come back. Bring him back.
- </c><00:17:09.120><c> It's</c><00:17:09.240><c> a</c><00:17:09.280><c> true</c><00:17:09.360><c> statement
- It's a true statement. >> Yes, sir. It's a true statement.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 086 Apr 10th, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- that this new council exists under 24-203, the rare disease advisory council, they've issued these statements
- :08.720><c> they've</c><01:03:09.040><c> issued</c><01:03:09.800><c> these</c><01:03:10.160><c> statements
- </c><01:03:11.080><c> on</c> um they've issued these statements on um they've issued these statements
Summary:
The Senate met with a quorum, approved the journal, and then proceeded out of order to consider Senate Joint Resolution 20, recognizing April 9, 2026, as Home Education Day in Colorado. Senator Pelton spoke in strong support of home education, describing it as a parent-led choice that benefits students and families. The resolution was adopted on a 30-0 vote, and the current roll was added as co-sponsors.
The chamber then took up the consent calendar and passed House Bill 1229, House Bill 1244, and Senate Bill 153. HB 1229, which concerns the human-animal bond as a social determinant of health, drew three no votes from Senators Pelton, Zamora Wilson, and Baeza; the other two measures passed unanimously. The Senate also laid over third reading of bills until Friday, April 10.
In Committee of the Whole, senators considered Senate Bill 72, which increases criminal penalties for assaultive conduct involving a motor vehicle and adds causing death with a motor vehicle to criminally negligent homicide. The committee adopted the report and advanced the bill on second reading. Later, the chamber laid over Senate Bill 134 and House Bill 1084 until April 10, and then took up Senate Bill 140, which would exempt certain rare disease and plasma therapies from review by the Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board. Sponsors and supporters argued the bill protects access for patients with rare diseases and prevents harm to treatment development, while opponents said it would weaken the PDAB’s affordability work and was too broad. Senators Weisman and Gonzales spoke against the bill, with Weisman citing concerns about the federal definition used and Gonzales defending the PDAB’s role in lowering drug costs; the debate continued in the transcript without a final vote shown.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- So, based on your statement saying that you should shout this information from the rooftop as long as
- Did you have a question, or a question statement? I don't know. Just thank you. Okay, thank you.
- And I think it's important that I'll go back to my original statement that I think we need to be in the
- Senator Gallen, do you have any closing statements? Mr.
Summary:
The committee first took up SB 1167, which would allow municipalities and counties to satisfy certain public-notice requirements by posting advertisements, publications, and printings on their official websites. The sponsor argued the bill is permissive, intended to modernize notice practices, reduce costs, and help governments meet statutory deadlines, while a Blackmun amendment required a six-month transition period in which notices would still be published in newspapers and the public would be alerted to the change. Newspaper and media representatives, along with tribal and rural community advocates, opposed the bill, arguing that print notices remain important for transparency, historical recordkeeping, and access in areas with limited internet service. Supporters from county and local government said newspaper publication schedules have become unreliable and that websites are a more effective way to reach the public. The committee adopted the Blackmun amendment and then passed SB 1167 as amended on a 4-3 vote.
The committee then considered SB 1021, as amended by a strike-everything that would require the Auditor General to refer evidence of possible criminal activity involving health profession regulatory boards to the Attorney General, with procedures for investigation and conflict-of-interest handling. The sponsor and amendment sponsor said the measure would create a mechanism for criminal findings in audit work to be acted on. With no opposition testimony, the committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1021 as amended on a 4-3 vote.
Next was SB 1011, which would require county medical examiners or forensic pathologists to review an infant’s immunization and vaccination history, along with any countermeasures administered in the prior 90 days, in sudden unexplained infant death cases. The sponsor said the bill was a data-collection measure meant to improve accuracy, transparency, and prevention efforts. Opponents, including vaccine advocacy and disability representatives, said Arizona already collects this information, that unsafe sleep is the primary issue in most SIDS cases, and that the bill could fuel misinformation about vaccines. The committee passed SB 1011 on a 4-3 vote.
The committee also heard SB 1013, a merit-based public employment bill that would prohibit hiring based on conditions other than merit. Supporters said it would ensure public employees are selected by qualifications and objective criteria; opponents argued existing law already bars discrimination and that the bill could create litigation risks and hinder outreach to underrepresented communities. The committee passed SB 1013 on a 4-3 vote. Finally, the committee considered SB 1015 and a strike-everything amendment that would replace the bill’s original detransition-liability language with the Arizona Thriving Families Act, creating a family and medical leave insurance program within Medicaid beginning in 2029. The original bill sponsor defended the underlying detransition-related liability concept as accountability and support for detransitioners, while opponents said it would function as a discriminatory backdoor ban on transition care for minors. The transcript ends during debate and explanation of the strike-everything amendment, before a final vote on SB 1015 is shown.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- As I look at the statement of purpose, it says that this is fiscally neutral.
- The FDA came out with a strong statement about kratom and 7-OH in September 2025, saying that these substances
- And the reason why I bring this up is back to the statement of purpose or the fiscal note, where it says
- And the reason why I bring this up is back to the statement of purpose or the fiscal note, where it says
Committee:
Senate Health and Welfare
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Thirty Nine - Monday, March 23
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It also includes a statement to students that condemns acts of bullying and violent behavior.
- That would go right alongside the other statement that I was talking about, that when students act in
- It also includes a statement to students that condemns acts of bullying and violent behavior.
- That would go right alongside the other statement that I was talking about, that when students act in
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
House Select Committee on Women and Children Mar 5th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So what the mission and the statement that we've made as a task force is if you intend to harm a child
- It's simply, is in that contract or what's expected of them, is it not a clear statement that says provide
- And in talking to us about it, one of the statements that she made was, if only I had a car.
- Not so much a question, but a statement.
Summary:
The committee held its inaugural meeting on March 5, 2026, with opening remarks from Chair Freiberg and Vice Chair Marcelle describing the panel’s purpose as studying issues affecting women and children, including health, education, economic opportunity, safety, and criminal justice. After roll call, the chair noted the meeting was informational only and not requiring a quorum. The committee then heard presentations and asked questions on human trafficking and child exploitation, followed by an audit report on the treatment and care of incarcerated women.
Mary Kate Andrepont of the Governor’s Office of Human Trafficking Prevention presented 2025 data showing 2,963 victims identified, 15,437 service instances, and 33% of victims remaining in services at least nine months. She said 93% of reported victims were sex trafficking victims, most were under 18, and 62 of 64 parishes had trafficking reports. She explained familial trafficking, described screening and coordinated response procedures, and highlighted new tools and outreach campaigns. She also discussed two priority bills: HB 321 by Rep. LaFleur, which would create immunity from prostitution offenses for child trafficking victims under Safe Harbor principles, and SB 83 by Sen. Edmonds, which would require school board trafficking policies and expand victim advocacy services to labor trafficking victims and survivors up to age 21. Committee members asked about reporting procedures, data trends, service gaps, and the reach of the screening tools.
Chris Masters of the Attorney General’s office then presented on online child exploitation and child sexual abuse material through the Louisiana ICAC Task Force. He reported 31,203 tips in 2025, 545 arrests, more than 80 children identified or rescued, over 1,500 search warrants, and more than 100 community presentations. He said the task force is expanding statewide, including an Orleans Metro unit, and asked for more analysts and outreach personnel to handle a projected rise in cyber tips. Members asked about community presentations, the scope of the investigations, sex offender social media restrictions, interstate cases, sentencing, and how online enticement and live abuse are prosecuted. The discussion emphasized parental monitoring, school outreach, and coordination with federal partners.
The final item introduced an audit report on the treatment and care of incarcerated females. Legislative Auditor staff said the review, requested by a 2023 resolution, found that Louisiana’s jails and guidance documents had not fully addressed the key laws and standards governing women’s incarceration, including restraint use during pregnancy and childbirth, health care, hygiene, dignity, and reentry. They noted that local jails still house a majority of incarcerated women despite the opening of a new state facility, and that several facilities had confirmed prohibited restraint use or failed to provide required written advisements. The staff said the report included legislative considerations for improving compliance and care.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy Feb 26th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So that would be my statement on grizzlies, because we have not, as an administration, taken a position
- So that would be my statement on Grizzlies, because we have not as an there will be similar challenges
- So that would be my statement on Grizzlies because we have not as an administration taken a position
- Thank you so much for hearing our statements today. Thank you.
Summary:
The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Resources, Environmental Protection, and Energy opened its first hearing with remarks from the chair and members emphasizing climate change, resiliency, clean energy, natural resources, and the need to make careful budget choices in a constrained fiscal environment. The Legislative Analyst’s Office presented an overview of the natural resources and environmental protection budget, warning that although current revenues are strong, the state faces significant out-year deficits and should apply a high bar to new ongoing spending, use special funds and fees carefully, and focus on critical health and safety needs. The LAO said the Governor’s Proposition 4 spending plan was generally reasonable and consistent with bond requirements, but urged legislative oversight and reporting, especially where bond funds interact with General Fund proposals.
Secretary Wade Crowfoot then described the Natural Resources Agency’s recent accomplishments and priorities, including wildfire resilience, water reliability, coastal protection, outdoor access, biodiversity, tribal partnerships, and streamlining project delivery. He highlighted major investments in climate and resilience, the role of Proposition 4 in continuing those efforts, and the need to modernize water infrastructure, including Delta conveyance and other regional conveyance projects. Members asked about Delta conveyance, invasive species, permitting delays, and the impact of federal staffing cuts; Crowfoot said the administration is pushing projects forward, supports a beneficiary-pays approach for conveyance, and is filling gaps left by federal reductions where necessary.
The committee then heard from the Department of Parks and Recreation. Director Armando Quintero reviewed the state park system, outdoor access programs, tribal agreements, wildfire and forest resilience work, and deferred maintenance funded by the climate bond. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposed ongoing General Fund transfer for the California State Parks Library Pass program, saying it did not meet the high bar for new spending, while several members strongly supported the program as a low-cost, high-value access tool. Members also pressed Parks on reservation system problems and no-show vacancies; staff said new rules and enforcement will take effect July 1 and that vacancies are being opened up sooner. The department also presented low-cost accommodation projects, which the LAO supported.
Finally, the Department of Fish and Wildlife introduced its new director, Megan Hurdle, who outlined the department’s mission, staffing, service-based budgeting, and Proposition 4 proposals for salmon tagging, hatchery improvements, and public access lands. She emphasized the department’s role in biodiversity conservation, permitting streamlining, law enforcement, and human-wildlife conflict outreach, and said the agency is working to close a service gap identified in its budgeting analysis. No votes were taken during the hearing.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Expanding and modifying Medicaid fraud provisions 2/26/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee Feb 25th, 2026
Utilities and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- But, you know, even when I look at the CPUC's mission statement, it says safe, clean, and affordable.
- Even when I look at the CPUC's mission statement, it says safe, clean, and affordable.
- But I'm going to just make a couple statements.
- But... ...couple statements, if you don't mind, then I have one question for the public advocate.
Committee:
House Utilities and Energy
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Minerals, Business & Economic Development Committee, February 23, 2026
Minerals, Business & Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- don't give primacy, if you want the primacy, you're not going to get it without making certain statements
- You're not going to get it without making certain statements or concessions.
- And we can't ask for primacy, but not make some statements consistent with how we understand primacy
- And we can't ask for primacy, but not make some statements consistent with how we understand primacy
Bills:
SJ0001
Keywords:
mineral leasing, federal lands, Wyoming, energy policy, local control, federalism, 916, all
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/18/2026 - House Transportation & Infrastructure
Transcript Highlights:
- The re-evaluation of the Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement will review any proposed changes in the
- A full restart of an environmental impact statement would include scoping for up to 200 agencies and
- All right, Madam Chair, would you like to do the last one statement? Oh, I don't know. Oh, yeah.
- This is on behalf of a statement of Verma Pastor regarding HB 4027.
Summary:
The committee heard a lengthy Arizona Department of Transportation presentation on major corridor projects, beginning with Interstate 11. ADOT Director Jennifer Toth said the entire 280-mile I-11 corridor from Nogales to the Nevada line is covered by a federal lawsuit, which has paused Tier 2 work pending a Tier 1 reevaluation and public comment period expected later this year and into early 2027. Members asked whether the northern segment could move forward separately; ADOT said the lawsuit covers the full corridor and that segmentation would likely add time and cost. The committee also heard updates on SR 347 and the I-10 Wild Horse Pass corridor, including widening, interchange reconstructions, grade separations, and traffic-management improvements, with members raising concerns about congestion, signal timing, construction hours, signage, and safety. ADOT also presented the West Kingman I-40/US 93 project, a $106.5 million free-flow ramp project that is about 60% complete and expected to finish in early 2027; members discussed temporary traffic controls near Beale Street and the need for better access and safety in the area.
The committee then moved to a mass hearing on the Regional Transportation Advocacy Council (RTAC) bill, House Bill 2304, which appropriates about $473 million for a list of rural and small-metro highway projects. Testimony came from regional planning organizations, county officials, mayors, and city staff supporting projects in Apache Junction, Show Low, Chino Valley, Sedona, Eloy, Coolidge, Casa Grande, Lake Havasu City, Clarkdale, San Luis, and Yavapai County. Speakers described projects such as road widenings, bypasses, bridge and interchange improvements, flood and evacuation routes, freight access, and safety upgrades, often emphasizing local matching funds, shovel-ready status, and economic development benefits. Committee members frequently asked about traffic flow, emergency access, and project design details, while the chair reminded witnesses that support in the budget would still depend on members advocating for the projects during budget negotiations.
No final vote on the RTAC bill or the individual project bills was taken in the portion provided, but the chair announced a mass-motion approach: members and witnesses would be allowed to speak briefly on each project, after which the committee would vote on the package together. The meeting also included brief staff explanations of several individual appropriation bills, including funding for Apache Junction, the Wolford Road extension in Show Low, Ray Lane in Graham County, SR 89 widening in Chino Valley, and Sedona roadway and roundabout-related improvements.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House Education Policy Committee Feb 18th, 2026
Education Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- . >> I have more of a statement. Thank you for this.
- have</c><00:30:33.919><c> more</c><00:30:34.080><c> of</c><00:30:34.240><c> a</c><00:30:34.399><c> statement
- </c><00:30:35.039><c> Thank</c><00:30:35.279><c> you</c> >> I have more of a statement.
- Thank you >> I have more of a statement. Thank you for<00:30:35.679><c> this.
Committee:
House Education Policy
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- So, so would it be a fair statement to say that as written this bill mutes and retards judicial discretion
- it</c><01:02:08.880><c> be</c><01:02:08.960><c> a</c><01:02:09.119><c> fair</c><01:02:09.359><c> statement
- </c><01:02:09.680><c> to</c> So, so would it be a fair statement to So, so would it be a fair statement
Committee:
House Judiciary
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
Restrictive Housing Legislative Working Group (RHG) - Tue Jan 27, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 21 January, 2026; 3:30 PM
Public Health and Welfare
Transcript Highlights:
- Is that a fair statement? Uh, have one of the deputies out here. They use it for operational costs.
- Is that a fair statement?
- 08.640><c> one</c><00:55:08.800><c> of</c><00:55:08.880><c> the</c><00:55:09.040><c> deputies</c> statement
- Uh have one of the deputies statement? Uh have one of the deputies out<00:55:09.839><c> here.
Committee:
Joint Public Health and Welfare
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Higher Education Funding Review Committee Jan 14th, 2026 at 08:30 am
Transcript Highlights:
- It's kind of like a property tax statement.
- Any other questions or statements at this point? Okay.
- Any other questions or statements at this point? Okay.
- But if other institutions, that's not really a part of their mission statement, a part of their philosophy
Summary:
The Higher Education Funding Committee met to discuss possible changes to North Dakota’s higher education funding formula, with a particular focus on separating the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences MD program from the general formula. Dr. Jenkins outlined several options for the MD program, including a fixed-funding model, a hybrid model, or keeping it in the formula, and emphasized the need to preserve strong support for medical education while making future funding clearer. He also discussed efforts to increase the share of North Dakota students in the MD program through ND85, expanded recruiting, early acceptance pathways, MCAT prep, a four-plus-one program, and the Primary Care Accelerated Track, along with future cost pressures such as AI licensing and residency growth.
The committee then reviewed a simplified funding model from the University System Office that would base funding more heavily on student FTE, credentials awarded, and a few incentive factors such as small institution and research adjustments. Members questioned the use of placeholder numbers, the lack of a clear methodology for the small institution and research factors, and whether the model would adequately account for differences among institutions, high-cost programs, and graduate education. Several members raised concerns that arbitrary factors would be hard to defend politically and could distort funding or create competition between schools, while others said the exercise was useful as a starting point for discussion.
Alex presented a second alternative that kept the current SIP-code structure but increased CTE weighting, added a progressive economic size factor, and separated out the MD program. His model also added an on-campus face-to-face headcount component and a credentials component, with the intent of rewarding in-person enrollment and completions. Members questioned the use of headcount instead of FTE, how hybrid, online, dual-credit, and off-campus students would be treated, and why face-to-face enrollment was weighted more heavily than completion. No formal votes or final actions were taken; the committee instead continued discussion and asked members to provide direction on which elements, if any, should be developed further.