Transcript Highlights:

• MOVING ON TO PRIVATE PRISON OPERATIONS, 40 MILLION OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS.
• THE LEGISLATURE ALSO FUNDED BODY ARMOR FOR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.
• THEY ARE THE SMALLEST AGENCY, 15.7 MILLION.
• AT THE SAME TIME WE ARE AN AGENCY WHO HAS PRIORITIZE QUALITY IMPROVEMENT.
• BECAUSE I MENTIONED OUR AGENCY SAW 30 YEARS OF HISTORY AS AN AGENCY AND FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS WE'VE HAD

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Nucleon's Chief Operating Officer.
• They might be a standalone agency.
• We have enough FTE in place at the agency.
• And we also looked at some agency role clarity and some coordination considerations between agencies.
• Agency and governance.

Committee: Joint Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee

Summary: The committee met to review advanced nuclear energy issues in North Dakota, beginning with approval of the April 21, 2022 minutes. Nucleon presented an overview of the advanced reactor landscape, distinguishing light-water SMRs, advanced Gen 4 reactors, and microreactors. The presentation emphasized that light-water SMRs are the most near-term deployable and use familiar low-enriched uranium fuel, while many Gen 4 designs may require high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALU), which is not yet supported by a mature U.S. supply chain. Nucleon also noted that advanced reactors are being developed primarily for industrial heat applications, while microreactors are niche, higher-cost systems for remote or mission-critical uses. Committee members asked about fuel availability, safety, recycling, and whether large reactors such as AP-1000s were evaluated; the presenter said fuel development is proceeding in parallel but remains a bottleneck, and that siting and grid capacity often make SMRs more practical than gigawatt-scale plants in North Dakota. Representatives from the National Association of State Energy Officials described how other states are supporting advanced nuclear through task forces, roadmaps, regional coordination, grants, tax incentives, workforce and supply-chain efforts, and pilot programs. They highlighted the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative and said states are focusing on multi-state coordination, demand aggregation, regulatory coordination, waste management, workforce readiness, and community engagement. They also discussed affordability tools such as construction work in progress (CWIP), financing incentives, and consumer protections, citing examples from Kentucky, Texas, Virginia, Illinois, Missouri, Utah, Tennessee, and others. In response to questions, they explained that pilot programs often involve site-readiness and feasibility studies, and that the federal Nuclear Innovation Campus process is moving forward with multiple submissions while broader waste and recycling policy may require congressional action. The Public Service Commission said it would likely have a major role in any North Dakota nuclear project through certificate-of-public-convenience-and-necessity review, siting, and rate regulation, but noted gaps in current law for small reactors, co-located facilities, NRC coordination, and long-term site stewardship. The commissioner said the commission has no authority over a private, self-contained reactor not connected to the grid. The Department of Environmental Quality explained that the state regulates radioactive materials under its agreement-state authority, but NRC retains primacy over fission reactors; DEQ would likely assist with emergency planning and could have a larger role if fusion reactors emerge. The Department of Emergency Services said it would serve as the lead off-site preparedness agency, requiring a dedicated radiological emergency preparedness program, training, drills, public outreach, and likely additional funding and staffing, with industry expected to bear much of the cost. The Department of Water Resources said North Dakota’s water laws and prior-appropriation system are adequate for nuclear siting, that the Missouri River is the best likely source, and that no statutory or budget changes are currently needed from a water perspective. The committee recessed for lunch after these agency presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• and the operations side.
• </c> specifically earmarked for operational specifically earmarked for operational and<00:20:49.880><
• </c> specific definition for operational specific definition for operational expenses<00:20:56.520><c
• Community uh volunteer staffed agencies Community uh volunteer staffed agencies have<00:51:14.240><c>
• </c><01:14:51.719><c> and</c> the system is currently operating and the system is currently operating

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• These problems mean that no ADAS vehicle should ever be allowed to operate in any operational design
• Well, there's an operational, thank you for the question, there's an operational apparatus around the
• So instead of thinking remote operations are bad, we need to think that remote operations are good.
• speed, roadway type, weather constraints, time-of-day operations, a communication link to a remote operator
• We are opposed to technologies that replace a human operator, a well-qualified human operator.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• to ensure the agency has adequate operational<00:03:07.879><c> resources</c><00:03:08.879><c> and</c
• </c> provide a standard across all agencies provide a standard across all agencies something<00:04:35.039
• ><c> for</c> agency ensuring seamless operation for agency ensuring seamless operation for the<00:10:
• </c> variety of of hours that that operate variety of of hours that that operate some<00:32:21.840><c
• They are the local agency, or the agency that's closest to the youth.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• We're grateful for the inclusion of the base funding for agencies.
• Operations continue to be underfunded in the bill.
• operations.
• A bill from the library official to allow agencies to uniformly carry forward unexpended non-grant operating
• Without any operating adjustment, service delivery will be impacted.

Bills: HF2783

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm gonna be running the agency and I report to the president running the agency so I just want to be
• You know, the president's been very clear, the agency heads are in. charge of the agency?
• You know the Commissioner's job is to ensure that the agency operates correctly.
• What I will commit to is that I will run the agency and I will be in charge of the agency and I will
• And he, from our perspective, has way more control over every agency than the head. of the agency, and

Committee: Senate Finance Committee

Keywords: Social Security, Medicaid, Frank Bisignano, Elon Musk, benefit processing, office closures, public testimony, administration policies, health care, vulnerable populations

Summary: The committee meeting focused heavily on the nomination of Frank Bisignano as the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, with intense discussions around the current state of Social Security and its management under the current administration. Members voiced significant concerns regarding potential changes to Social Security and Medicaid, specifically addressing issues such as office closures, delays in benefit processing, and the perceived policies from Elon Musk's association with the administration. Public testimonies highlighted fears that these changes would severely impact the accessibility of benefits for seniors and vulnerable individuals, resulting in a chaotic environment at the SSA. Members expressed a unified opposition to the notion of dismantling these critical programs, emphasizing the long-term implications on their constituents' well-being.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:10.720><c> I</c> operating in the state of Vermont. I operating in the state of Vermont.
• </c> enforcement operating in our state. enforcement operating in our state.
• </c> definition of agencies and officers. definition of agencies and officers.
• . agency. agency.
• </c> carrying on undercover operations carrying on undercover operations focused<00:08:39.919><c> on<

Transcript Highlights:

• funds are 11% of our agency budget.
• I'll just note it is not operational funding.
• The full cost of operating the parks.
• In terms of our operating adjustment, our operating adjustment projections do not include any additional
• Operating adjustment calculation.

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> in</c><00:02:48.680><c> the</c> Suburban agencies were created in the Suburban agencies were created
• Chair. the exclusive transit operator as well the exclusive transit operator as well as<00:07:58.120>
• </c> We are the 14th fastest growing agency We are the 14th fastest growing agency in<00:18:53.680><c
• Our agencies have transit system.
• </c> should be more local transit agencies. should be more local transit agencies.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so for special fund agencies, we just did the same as small general fund agencies.
• And then optional decision packages, we asked agencies... ...there’s no limit there, but we asked agencies
• In some agencies, they're all general fund or all other funds, and in some agencies it's a mix.
• In some agencies, they're all general fund or all other funds, and some agencies it's a mix.
• But you can see that break out by agency.

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:

• We have to be a strong regulatory agency doing hallmark regulatory agency work so we can have a strong
• And then also having a viable market for our operators. That does...
• It still feels like we are operating from a standpoint of change.
• You mentioned CDFW and other agencies.
• , working with all the control agencies.

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear, including Frank Damrow Jr. to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Appeals Board, Michelle Eddger to the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, and David Galavis to the State Park and Recreation Commission, each by 4-0 vote. The committee also approved a rule waiver to allow SB 1447 (health) to be heard after the policy committee deadline, and took up floor acknowledgments before moving to appointments requiring testimony. The committee then heard from Clint Kellam, nominee to lead the Department of Cannabis Control. Members focused heavily on cannabis labeling, youth protection, attractive-to-children packaging, the SB 540 educational pamphlet, and the department’s efforts to steer consumers from illicit to legal products. Kellam said the department’s role is not to promote increased consumption but to move existing consumption into the regulated market, and he described enforcement against illicit cultivation and retail, consumer education efforts, and a possible AI tool to help licensees review packaging. He also said the department would consider tighter packaging rules, including one-serving packaging, but emphasized the need for research and legislative collaboration. The committee voted 4-0 to advance his appointment to the full Senate. The committee next heard from Jennifer Osborne, nominee to direct the Department of Industrial Relations. Questions centered on DIR’s handling of Cal/OSHA audit findings, labor commissioner backlogs, PAGA enforcement, staffing shortages, IT modernization, and how her administrative background would help address those issues. Osborne said DIR is working on revised Cal/OSHA policies and procedures, additional staffing and intake changes, new IT systems, and possible use of outside administrative law judges to reduce delays. She also clarified that the Civil Rights Department is not under DIR, but said she would follow up on concerns raised. Public commenters from employer groups, labor, and industry largely supported her nomination, and the committee approved her appointment 4-0 to move to the full Senate for confirmation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Having set on almost every side of that table from operator to evaluator to vendor, we focus on the agencies
• When an agency can begin planning, from when an agency can be, When an agency can begin planning, from
• You'll see you'll have the agencies. You'll see you'll have the agencies.
• I think it does depend on agency-by-agency on the market analysis, the market research that's done.
• Again, that's at the agency level to decide what best meets their operational need, but from our lens

Summary: The subcommittee heard a panel on Florida’s IT procurement process from the Florida Digital Service, the Department of Management Services, and the Department of Financial Services. Witnesses walked through the procurement lifecycle, including planning, market research, solicitation, evaluation, award, implementation, and closeout, and emphasized the role of budget timing, contract managers, and subject matter experts. DMS described the state’s enterprise contracting system, noting more than 1,100 active vendor agreements, over 800 involving IT services, and the statutory requirement to request 25 quotes for certain IT purchases. DFS demonstrated the Florida Accountability Contract Tracking System (FACS), explaining how agencies upload contract and payment data and how the public can search contracts and related documents online. Members focused on accountability, transparency, and whether the state is getting the best products and vendors. Questions addressed how contracts are vetted, how technical evaluations are performed, how financial consequences are used for missed deliverables, how public records and confidential information are handled, and how the state screens vendors for foreign-concern or bad-actor issues. Witnesses said agencies rely on technical experts for evaluations, that contract terms should include measurable deliverables and meaningful financial consequences, and that agencies—not procurement staff—generally manage performance, though Florida Digital Service oversees large IT projects of $10 million or more. The committee then shifted to broader policy discussion, including Senate Bill 7026 and proposals to reorganize state IT governance. Several members argued for stronger centralization under a state CIO or similar enterprise authority, while others cautioned against abrupt restructuring and stressed the need for a transition plan. Members also raised concerns about workforce retention, consulting services, recurring project overruns, and the need for better planning and periodic monitoring. No votes were taken; the meeting ended with the chair thanking members and staff and adjourning the subcommittee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, we will hear from our state agency.
• And while concurrently operating Hurricane Debbie, recovery operations for Hurricane Helene began.
• And while concurrently operating Hurricane Debbie, recovery operations for Hurricane Helene began.
• operations at the local level.
• It's a very complex operation.

Summary: The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee met to continue its review of hurricane impacts and state response. The committee first heard from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, which described its four core functions—preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation—and highlighted its 24/7 State Watch Office, regional training efforts, and disaster assistance work. Deputy Executive Director Keith Pruitt detailed the state’s 2024 storm response, including Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, citing large-scale mission support, flood-control deployments, meal and water distribution, power restoration, debris removal, and billions in disaster funding and mitigation dollars. He also discussed debris management challenges and recommended that local governments update and exercise debris plans and maintain contingency contracts.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Nucleon's Chief Operating Officer.
• They might be a standalone agency.
• We have enough FTE in place at the agency.
• And we also looked at some agency role clarity and some coordination considerations between agencies.
• Agency and governance.

Committee: Joint Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> 106 um uh transfers from other agencies 106 um uh transfers from other agencies and<00:04:57.080
• </c><00:06:33.000><c> to</c> um work with us and partner agencies to um work with us and partner agencies
• </c><00:12:53.320><c> in</c> endowment so basically the operation in endowment so basically the operation
• </c> that allows us to maintain and operate that allows us to maintain and operate the<00:35:36.640><
• And, uh, you know, still it might lessen the amount of general funds to operate that agency if we had

Summary: The meeting began with testimony from Charlotte Harding of the Conservation Land Stewardship Program, who explained that the office protects the state’s interests in conservation lands by monitoring conservation easements and related stewardship obligations. She described the program’s funding sources: a land conservation endowment held at the State Treasury and administered by the Council on Resources and Development, plus transfers from Fish and Game for easements not covered by the endowment. Members discussed how the endowment is funded when new easements are created, the program’s staffing, the loss of a state vehicle, and the need to increase in-state travel so staff can use personal vehicles for field monitoring. Harding said the office has two full-time positions and a seasonal employee, that the work is mostly monitoring rather than hands-on land management, and that enforcement issues are referred to the grantee agencies or, if needed, to the Council on Resources and Development. She also noted that the office works directly with landowners to resolve smaller issues and that stewardship has become a greater focus in the conservation community because ongoing oversight requires funding. Members asked about examples of properties under the program, including LCIP lands such as Musquash Headwaters, Hidden Valley Boy Scout Camp, and Nash Stream, and the committee did not take a motion before moving on. The committee then heard from Paul Breen and Susie Anzelone of the Pease Development Authority regarding the Division of Ports and Harbors operating budget. They explained that the authority provides finance, legal, environmental, and engineering support to the division, which operates New Hampshire’s only deep-water berth at Market Street, as well as facilities in Hampton, Rye, the Portsmouth Fish Pier, and navigational waters in the Piscataqua and Great Bay. They described the authority’s history after the closure of Pease Air Force Base, the transfer of roughly 2,400 acres, and the creation of a self-sustaining enterprise fund tied to airport and port operations. They emphasized that the division does not draw on the general fund because revenues from wharfage, dockage, parking, registration, and mooring fees cover operating costs, with any surplus retained for capital improvements and replacement. Members questioned several budget lines, including a sharp increase in overtime and workers’ compensation. Breen said overtime is driven largely by security needs at the deep-water port and fluctuates with vessel traffic, such as salt shipments, while workers’ comp is a DAS-set cost and not something the division controls. He said the budget is conservative and that if revenues fall short, capital projects would be the first items scaled back. The discussion also covered fee-setting, with Breen saying rates are reviewed against the local market and infrastructure constraints, and that some smaller facility fees had recently been increased after being stagnant for years.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are all funded both for the small agencies and for the cabinet agencies.
• The next few items on this page are all small agency or ethnic council operating increases.
• This authorizes executive agencies to carry forward balances of unspent non-grant operating balances
• This authorizes executive agencies to carry forward balances of unspent non-grant operating balances
• This authorizes executive agencies to carry forward balances of unspent non-grant operating balances

Transcript Highlights:

• The agency is not quite there yet, but that is in the works. Thank you. Thank you.
• The agency is limited to the power that is given to them under the vesting statutes.
• Are they fully operational? Yes. And I think that number came from Amendment 98.
• How does government regulation function in day-to-day operation of the business?
• Actual operations. Actual operations. Yes, and I'm glad you brought up lawn care.

Committee: All ALC-MEDICAL MARIJUANA OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The ALC Medical Marijuana Oversight Subcommittee met to consider rules governing medical marijuana management contracts for cultivation facilities and dispensaries. ABC regulatory staff said the rules are intended to ensure Arkansas license holders retain actual control over operations and are not effectively run by out-of-state management companies. They explained that the rules require commission review of management contracts and use a “commercially reasonable” standard to identify terms that could give undue control to outside entities. Staff also distinguished these management rules from separate future licensing rules that would address any additional dispensary or cultivation licenses, including unresolved issues tied to a Hot Springs license dispute. Representatives of the Arkansas Cannabis Industry Association opposed the rules, saying the industry has matured, no out-of-state management companies remain in Arkansas, and the added review process is unnecessary and burdensome. Their counsel argued the “commercially reasonable” standard is too vague, could lead to arbitrary enforcement, and may exceed the commission’s authority under Amendment 98. They also warned that requiring commission approval before contracts take effect could create delays and operational problems for day-to-day business functions. Committee members questioned both sides about the scope of the rules, whether they apply to in-state as well as out-of-state entities, how they would affect payroll and other service contracts, and whether the commission has authority to review private contracts. Staff said the rules are meant to prevent hidden control arrangements and do not cover ordinary service contracts like lawn care, while industry witnesses said the current filing system already provides oversight. After discussion, the committee reviewed the rule and adjourned without taking a recorded vote in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rising operational costs are affecting our operations.
• Rising operational costs are affecting our operations.
• So when you look at an agency that's operating, ours is a little bigger, but it's not the case for many
• You're operating a contract for two, three months and not being paid.
• So when you look at an agency that's operating, ours is a little bigger, but, you know, it's not the

Summary: The joint Senate and Assembly Select Committee hearing focused on the nonprofit sector’s mounting challenges in 2025 and possible state responses. Opening remarks emphasized the sector’s size and importance in California, the impact of federal funding disruptions and new federal tax policy, and the need for stronger public-private coordination, especially during disasters. Witnesses and members repeatedly pointed to nonprofits as essential providers of food, housing, health, education, environmental, and emergency services, while warning that sudden funding losses are forcing layoffs, service cuts, and operational instability. Testimony from community foundations and food bank leaders described how federal cuts, delayed reimbursements, and disaster-related demand are straining nonprofits. Monica White of Food Share Ventura County said H.R. 1 and USDA food cancellations are worsening hunger needs, while immigration enforcement fears are keeping some families from seeking help. Abby Browning of Cal OES outlined how the state coordinates with nonprofits, philanthropy, and businesses through VOADs and long-term recovery groups in wildfire response. Bruce Yerman of the Camp Fire Collaborative said recovery groups are effective but lack dedicated funding, and urged flexible spending, sustainable support, and streamlined partnerships. The second half of the hearing focused on institutional reforms, including a proposed Office of Nonprofit Empowerment, advance payments, prompt payment, and higher indirect cost coverage. Jeff Green of CalNonprofits argued for a central state office to coordinate policy, technical assistance, and interagency alignment. Annie Chang of Nonprofit Finance Fund cited survey data showing widespread late payments, low cash reserves, and indirect cost rates below federal guidance. Alfredo Cruz Jr. of Community Resource Project described how reimbursement-only contracts, delayed payments, and underfunded overhead create cash-flow crises and staffing problems. Members discussed possible interim steps, including expanding advance pay, improving payment timeliness, modeling best practices, and using state leadership to spotlight nonprofit needs. The hearing ended with public comment from nonprofit, labor, and advocacy representatives, and no votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• But individual agencies might do it by agency FTE or agency budget amount or something like that.
• put on, stood up by an agency, you charge something to that agency then right?
• agency maybe thinks we're a three out of ten, and that agency thinks we're an eight out of ten, and
• There's a lot of operational changes. There's a lot. There's a lot of operational changes.
• The system became operational in 2004, and debt service was paid The system became operational in 2004

Summary: The committee approved the March 26 minutes and then received a quarterly update on major IT projects from NDIT. Staff reported the portfolio included 116 major projects totaling about $546 million, with the overall portfolio under budget but slightly behind schedule. They reviewed projects over the 20% variance threshold, including an Industrial Commission grants management system and DOT’s roadway pre-construction replacement, and then heard startup and closeout reports from HHS, OMB, DPI, and DOT. Several previously troubled projects were closed, including HHS bed management, vital records modernization, and DOT roadway capital planning; some projects finished under budget and ahead of schedule, while others were significantly behind schedule or over budget but were now closed or being remediated. The committee also reviewed NDIT’s annual report, including service-fund financials, peer-state rate comparisons, records management, and customer satisfaction efforts. Members asked about how service-fund revenue and grant administrative charges are accounted for, how chargebacks work, and whether NDIT tracks customer satisfaction scores. NDIT said it does track CSAT-type measures in some service areas and has survey data, but it is not planning another customer survey this summer. Members encouraged more regular reporting of customer satisfaction, service-level metrics, and performance data to help guide future improvements. A major portion of the meeting focused on the state’s mainframe modernization effort. NDIT said the overall effort is still targeting about 2030, with multiple HHS and DOT projects underway and a $15 million tech-debt appropriation already removing some components. Staff described the main obstacles as data cleanup, complex integrations, limited staff capacity, retirements, and vendor constraints, and said they are seeking a vendor with modernization support in the next contract cycle. Members pressed for clearer accountability and faster progress, and NDIT and HHS emphasized that they are working jointly but need continued support and better tools. The committee then heard a cybersecurity update on NDIT’s statewide services and maturity assessments. NDIT explained that it provides vulnerability scanning, endpoint protection, security awareness training, threat briefings, and penetration testing, and that these services are tied to a cybersecurity maturity assessment based on CIS controls. Members questioned the sharp drop in participation since 2020 and whether the self-assessment should be mandatory or tied more strongly to StageNet access or insurance incentives. NDIT said participation is voluntary, but Enderf is now requiring annual assessments to keep a 4% insurance discount, and members discussed whether stronger requirements or audit authority may be needed. The meeting ended as the committee began a follow-up discussion on BEAD broadband connection costs and why some locations are much more expensive to connect than others.