Transcript Highlights:

• that we have submitted the appropriate reports.
• And having this audit is, I think, an important step to evaluating whether that's appropriate.
• Basically, they've been used appropriately.
• You can say that if it was mitigation, that would be an appropriate use of funds.
• Thank you in the appropriate time. I respectfully ask for an aye vote. Thank you, Senator.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee met to hear new audit requests and receive a status update from the State Auditor. The auditor reported 10 JALAC audits in progress, noted that all 2025-approved audits are underway, said the first 2026 audit is focused on DMV license revocations, and described several statutory and high-risk audits already in progress. The committee also approved a consent calendar of four audit requests: UC library resources, law enforcement information sharing, EDD unemployment insurance claims, and Housing and Community Development housing development monitoring. The committee then considered Assembly Member DeMaio’s audit request on SANDAG road project management. DeMaio argued the audit was needed to examine whether transportation funds, including voter-approved and restricted revenues, were used for allowable purposes and whether past management failures warranted outside review. SANDAG’s CEO and CFO said the agency already undergoes extensive oversight and audits, that funds are tracked by multiple “colors of money,” and that internal controls have improved. Several members questioned whether the issues were already addressed in public records or existing audits, and the request failed on a roll call vote. Next, Senator Valadares presented an audit of the Board of State and Community Corrections’ Proposition 47 grant administration, arguing that more transparency is needed on outcomes, recidivism data, and oversight of grantees. The BSCC said it already has oversight mechanisms, that the State Controller conducts biennial audits, and that program data shows positive outcomes. The committee approved the audit unanimously. Senator Cortese then presented an audit of CalHR’s dental benefits procurement and Delta Dental contract, citing long-standing benefit caps, provider network concerns, and retiree out-of-pocket costs. CalHR said its network remains strong, that it recently completed an RFP adding MetLife as a second carrier starting in 2027, and that contracts include performance guarantees. Members from both parties expressed concern about access and competition, and the audit was approved unanimously. The committee then completed add-on votes on the consent calendar and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• 4 has two appropriations.
• 4 has two appropriations.
• <00:25:55.279> and you did not have an appropriation and you did not have an appropriation
• appropriation appropriation uh<00:31:20.640> 180,000.
• 31:41.519> if<00:31:41.679> you the appropriations committee if you the appropriations

Bills: SF0102, SF0123, SF0021, SF0099

Keywords: energy transmission, load growth, Wyoming energy authority, transmission planning study, public utilities, regional cooperation, energy, funding, grants, loans, coal, natural gas, mineral processing, economic development, stable token, liquidity, trust account, Wyoming, fund distribution, financial regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• This is for $280 million in appropriation.
• These are appropriation and/or fund transfer requests.
• And you're paying the other one out of your appropriation? Yes.
• These are cash fund appropriation requests.
• This is pay plan appropriation and performance fund requests.

Summary: The committee considered several appropriation and transfer requests, beginning with a $273,000 temporary appropriation for the Department of Labor and Licensing to cover administrative costs for its enterprise licensing platform, funded by license and application fees. It then reviewed two large Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requests: $280 million for the Department of Transportation for the final quarter of the fiscal year, and $195 million for the State Broadband Office to support the Arkansas BEAD broadband grant program, including an extra help position and grants to internet service providers. The broadband item drew extensive questions about awardees, contract amendments, accountability, build-out timelines, backup plans if providers default, the definition of broadband serviceable locations, and the cost per location. The State Broadband Director said no providers had requested amendments, the program would use milestone-based disbursements and a four-year build-out period, and the first tranche would serve 51,566 homes and businesses with $126.1 million in grants. Both Section B and Section C items were approved. In Section D, the committee approved a $458,000 transfer within the Department of Correction from the female work release program to the Tucker Unit water treatment plant, a $25 million transfer within the Department of Education to cover declining enrollment, teacher incentive, school recognition, and Easter Seals funding, and a $229,000 transfer for the Department of Shared Administrative Services to support two project management office positions. The education transfer prompted questions about how declining enrollment funding is calculated, how many districts receive it, and how long districts can continue to receive it; agency staff said 152 districts were on the preliminary list and the formula is based on the prior two-year average ADM compared with the previous year. The committee also gave favorable advice on a proposed $4.7 million loan for the Office of State Technology to implement ServiceNow and related IT modernization tools; agency officials said the loan would be repaid through cost recovery rates over five years and would replace an existing loan that is ending, with expected savings from consolidating applications but no precise savings estimate yet. The committee then reviewed cash fund and federal grant requests, including $200,000 for wage and hour claimant payments, $15 million for unclaimed property claims, $8,000 for a heritage program grant, and $1.1 million for a College and Career Coaches grant to expand services in rural districts. It also reviewed pay plan and budget manual items without objection. The most extensive report discussion focused on the Medicaid trust fund, where DHS and DFA officials said the balance has been declining and that the state may need to add capital back into the fund. Senators and representatives asked about the current balance, the projected year-end level, the role of the $100 million set-aside, the impact of outstanding Medicaid rules from the prior session, and whether future federal funding could help reduce long-term Medicaid costs. Officials said they are still working through more than 10 outstanding rules with CMS and do not yet have a final price tag for those changes. The meeting ended after the reports were reviewed and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also appropriates funds.
• Her comments are really just whether Budget and Finance is the most appropriate department to handle
• Department to handle uh most appropriate Department to handle uh this<00:13:14.639> very<00:13
• department is to house the appropriate department is to house the<00:22:48.080> special<00:22
• <00:25:27.440> made fund will consist of Appropriations made fund will consist of Appropriations

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Culture and the Arts heard testimony on HB 547 HD1, which would create a spay-neuter special fund to reduce pet overpopulation and support spay/neuter services, funded in part through a tax return check-off and other sources. The Department of Taxation said it could implement the check-off; the Attorney General and Budget and Finance raised drafting and placement concerns about which department should house the fund; and the Hawaii Humane Society strongly supported the bill, emphasizing statewide need and the importance of distributing funds to areas of greatest need, including neighbor islands. The Tax Foundation opposed the measure on special-fund grounds, arguing there was no sufficient nexus between the bill’s purpose and the proposed revenue source. The committee later recommended HB 547 HD1 with technical amendments and sent it to Finance, with members voting aye and no objections noted. The committee also heard HB 925 HD1, relating to arts funding, which would impose a 1% fee on ticket sales from concerts at state venues and direct the proceeds to a dedicated arts fund. The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts supported the measure, while the Attorney General suggested defining “concerts” for clarity and Budget and Finance was available with comments. In discussion, the committee chair asked about how other states fund arts programs, and Director Ewald said many states use dedicated funding sources such as concert fees, bond funding, cultural trusts, and hotel lodging taxes. The committee recommended HB 925 HD1 with amendments, including a preamble, a new Performing Arts special fund, a definition of “concerts,” and a defective date, and the recommendation was adopted. Finally, the committee considered HB 1378, also related to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. Based on the Attorney General’s testimony, the committee proposed deleting a section of the bill, creating a Performing Arts special fund, specifying revenue sources such as legislative appropriations, foundation charges, grants, gifts, and interest, and using the fund for coordination, planning, promotion, marketing, and execution of performing arts events. The amendments also added a definition of Performing Arts, granting standards, and a defective date, while blanking out the appropriation amount for the committee report. The committee voted to adopt the recommendation on HB 1378 with amendments, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the page here with appropriate appropriation change review, I'll draw your attention to the campus-wide
• So thank you for those appropriations.
• We were halfway through last year, you Appropriated me $200,000.
• You appropriated it so that we had to bump in 2024 and then 2025.
• Appropriation history at 223.1, 3.423, or 8.4.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:46:37.359> Does appropriate. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Does appropriate. Thank you, Mr.
• :03:01.599> additional don't need to appropriate additional don't need to appropriate additional
• I recognize that we don't want to add any more dollars to our appropriation.
• <01:49:13.040> of cycles ago uh with an appropriation of cycles ago uh with an appropriation
• it was appropriated in the beginning. it was appropriated in the beginning.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:18.800> at in in general fund appropriation at in in general fund appropriation at
• <01:26:38.440> it every bium this is not appropriated it every bium this is not appropriated
• A general fund appropriation in 2024, the $1.125 million general fund appropriation, was cancelled from
• A general fund appropriation in 2024, the $1.125 million general fund appropriation, was cancelled from
• <01:31:28.239> for obligation Bonds were appropriated for obligation Bonds were appropriated

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• James McIntyman, fiscal analyst for House Appropriations.
• And then removing one-time appropriations or reduction.
• So reversions are the estimated appropriations that will be unspent and revert to the state for re-appropriation
• fund appropriations for fiscal 27, 28.
• Those are netted against appropriations to get to a revised total appropriation figure.

Summary: The committee held its first meeting, with co-chairs and members introducing themselves and staff outlining the committee’s statutory mandate under the 2025-27 supplemental operating budget. Staff explained that the Joint Legislative-Executive Committee on Budget Transparency and Fiscal Sustainability will receive technical assistance from a nonpartisan organization, with work split into two phases: first on revenue growth, spending assumptions, and cost drivers in the four-year outlook, and later on staffing, overhead, performance management, and public reporting. Members broadly said they hoped the committee would build a shared factual understanding of the state’s fiscal situation, structural deficits, and budget processes, and identify a sustainable path forward for the operating budget. Staff then gave a detailed presentation on operating budget basics. They reviewed the size and composition of the operating budget, noting that most spending is concentrated in grants/client services and salaries/benefits, with K-12, DSHS, HCA, DCYF, DOC, and higher education making up most NGFO spending. They explained the distinction between constitutional, federal, statutory, and discretionary spending, using examples such as K-12, Medicaid, collective bargaining agreements, court-driven obligations like McCleary and Trueblood, and one-time appropriations. They also walked through how the state uses incremental budgeting, carry-forward and maintenance-level calculations, caseload and per-capita forecasting, and the four-year balanced budget outlook, including reserve calculations and the budget stabilization account. Members asked extensive questions about what is and is not included in the outlook, especially future collective bargaining agreements, health care and compensation growth, tort and other liabilities, and whether the state could better distinguish mandatory from discretionary spending. Staff explained that current CBAs and other already-enacted obligations are included, but future CBAs are not; some liabilities are reflected as expenditures when appropriated, while broader long-term liabilities are not fully captured in the outlook because they depend on future policy choices. Staff also noted that the legislature and ERFC can adopt assumptions such as reversions and growth factors, and that an outlook accuracy report is produced every five years to compare projected and actual maintenance-level spending. The committee agreed to follow up on some of the more complex liability and assumption questions. After a short break, Josh Goodman of the Pew Charitable Trusts began a presentation on Pew’s role and approach to state fiscal sustainability. He described Pew as a nonpartisan organization with long-standing state fiscal research, emphasizing its 50-state comparative data, interviews with state officials and experts, and focus on long-term sustainability, reserve policies, and recession preparedness. The presentation was ongoing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:45.200> and members of the Senate Appropriations and members of the Senate Appropriations
• 02:05:57.240> House From Appropriations and Revenue, House From Appropriations and Revenue, House
• an<02:06:36.120> appropriation<02:06:36.920> therefore place, making an appropriation
• <02:07:24.520> and to the Committee on Appropriations and to the Committee on Appropriations
• From Appropriations and Revenue, House Bill 2, an act relating to Medicaid, making an appropriation therefor

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our appropriation is not increasing; we're not asking for an increase in our appropriation.
• <00:20:10.080> that<00:20:10.200> they actual appropriation that they actual appropriation
• hear that they've had an appropriation hear that they've had an appropriation that<00:20:32.559>
• operation is the Lee in appropriation operation is the Lee in appropriation that<01:30:07.880>
• board's operational appropriation board's operational appropriation without<01:30:19.679> the

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Appropriations Committee on Higher Education, you are recognized. Thank you, Mr.
• We have $27.8 million appropriated for the KidCare FHK premium stabilization.
• Senator Smith: ...appropriating for the private school vouchers overall.
• decision on a specific appropriation every year.
• Thank you to all the appropriation staff for answering my questions.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Onm appropriation, as a glue, it really is for us.
• Onm appropriation, as a glue, it really is for us.
• <00:21:14.559> and past support for this appropriation and past support for this appropriation
• related to the Omnibus Appropriations related to the Omnibus Appropriations refers<00:37:00.920>
• something that we appropriate something that we appropriate specifically<00:37:41.240> through

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And those are all education-related capital outlay appropriations starting on page 68.
• Many of us are on House appropriations. We think we did something it goes to Senate Finance.
• Appropriations to Manolo Minal School. Private.
• That money has been appropriated to a private entity.
• So these are, they're using their junior money essentially to appropriate money for this.

Transcript Highlights:

• appropriate intervention. appropriate intervention.
• determine what an appropriate determine what an appropriate intervention<00:59:14.079> is
• an appropriate intervention. an appropriate intervention.
• <01:03:21.599> comprehensive part of a an appropriate comprehensive part of a an appropriate
• their appropriate grade level reading. their appropriate grade level reading.

Bills: HB0076, HB0102, HB0115

Keywords: annexation, landowner rights, municipal law, city planning, property, local government, artificial intelligence, synthetic sexual material, child protection, self-harm, criminal liability, cardiac emergency, defibrillator, school safety, training, public health, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• H. 46 being on the calendar for notice and carrying an appropriation under Rule 31 is referred to the
• Committee on Appropriations.
• under Rule 31 is referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
• . appropriations. appropriations.
• Senate Appropriations will also meet at 1:30. Senator from Rutland.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Appropriating funds for nutritional assistance in response to the loss of SNAP benefits. 2. 2.
• Appropriating funds to the judiciary for purposes of funding and updating needed security measures and
• Appropriating funds for the expenses of the 57th Legislature second special session.
• The $30 million we appropriated before, as I mentioned, is gone.
• Assistance program benefits, reverting certain balances from certain general fund appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• to Appropriations; AB 651, Brian, to Appropriations; AB 733, Lackey, to Appropriations; AB 1098, Fong
• , to Appropriations; AB 1158, Chen, to Appropriations.
• to Appropriations; AB 651, Brian, to Appropriations; AB 733, Lackey, to Appropriations; AB 1098, Fong
• , to Appropriations; AB 1158, Chen, to Appropriations.
• AB 1098, Fong, to Appropriations. AB 1158, Chen, to Appropriations.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with AB 1521, the Judiciary Committee’s civil law omnibus measure. The bill makes a number of minor, mostly clarifying changes, including repealing obsolete Government Code provisions, allowing juvenile courts to hear petitions to establish records of birth, death, or marriage, requiring notice of probate petitions to the Department of Child Support Services, and correcting typos in existing law. It had no opposition and was moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations, though it was later placed on call pending additional votes. Members then heard AB 57, which would reserve at least 10% of California’s Home Purchase Assistance Program funds for descendants of formerly enslaved people. The author and supporters framed it as a reparative, race-neutral-by-lineage effort to address historic housing discrimination and the racial wealth gap, while opponents argued it was an unconstitutional racial proxy and should instead be based on individual injury. The bill drew strong support and opposition testimony, was amended, and was approved on a do-pass as amended vote to Appropriations, then placed on call. AB 495, the Family Preparedness Plan Act, was heard next. The bill would expand and standardize caregiving and guardianship tools for families facing immigration-related separation, including broader use of caregiver authorization affidavits, recognition of non-relative extended family caregivers, and a new short-term guardianship process that preserves parental rights. Supporters said it would reduce trauma and help children remain with trusted caregivers; there was no opposition testimony. The committee approved it on a do-pass to Human Services vote and placed it on call. The committee also heard AB 392, which would address non-consensual sharing of sexually explicit media by requiring uploader consent certifications, faster takedown procedures, and civil remedies against uploaders and hosting sites. A survivor testified in support, and members discussed implementation details and possible amendments; the bill was moved on a do-pass as amended basis to Appropriations and placed on call. AB 692, which would prohibit employer “stay-or-pay” debt agreements that require workers to repay training or other costs if they leave or are terminated, also advanced despite opposition from business and industry groups concerned about impacts on signing bonuses and voluntary training programs. It was sent to Appropriations on a do-pass as amended vote and placed on call, along with AB 1234, a wage-claim enforcement bill aimed at reducing Labor Commissioner delays and adding consequences for employers who fail to participate in the process. The committee also heard AB 394, which expands protections for transit workers and allows transit agencies to seek restraining orders against violent riders; it received broad support, some concern about system-wide bans, and was discussed with amendments that preserved judicial discretion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Appropriations Division members met to review the appropriations bill, which they were seeing for
• And I'm just wondering what your ideas would be as chair of appropriations.
• But if that happens, we will have a period in this appropriations bill.
• So we're not going to do anything that would not be appropriate.
• Anything that would not be appropriate. So we've got to have some oversight with that.

Bills: HB1623

Keywords: HB 1623, North Dakota, rural health, rural health transformation program, medical facility infrastructure loan fund, medical facility infrastructure loan program, rural health loan program, Bank of North Dakota, Department of Health and Human Services, HHS, federal grant, health care infrastructure, rural hospitals, critical access hospitals, nonprofit health care providers, gap financing, loan fund, public health funding, healthcare financing, Medicaid

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1623, the appropriations bill tied to North Dakota’s Rural Health Transformation Program, which is funded through a new federal rural health care grant. Senator Bekkedahl explained the bill’s background, the interim committee process that developed it, and the federal conditions attached to the award, including spending deadlines, administrative cost limits, and restrictions on uses such as new construction, supplanting existing funding, and certain other costs. Legislative staff then walked through the seven sections of the bill, including appropriation authority, transfer authority, contingent appropriations for pass-through grants, procurement and public improvement exemptions, recipient reporting, legislative reporting, and immediate effective date. Commissioner Traynor and HHS staff described how the department plans to implement the program, emphasizing that the funding is intended to improve rural access, workforce recruitment and retention, technology and data connectivity, and community health initiatives. They said the department will rely on local applications, technical assistance, templates, listening sessions, and partnerships with providers, schools, public health units, tribal entities, and other community groups. Members asked about reimbursement timing, upfront costs, administrative expenses, sustainability after the five-year grant period, and whether CTE centers, public health units, gyms, grocery stores, and other community partners could participate; the department said yes, within program rules and with a focus on measurable outcomes and sustainability. Several supporters testified in favor. Mental Health America of North Dakota and the Mental Health Advocacy Network supported the bill and urged investment in community-based mental health, crisis response, children’s services, peer support, and mobile crisis teams. HIA Health described the grant as a chance to expand home-based and hospice care, noting that rural providers already have workable models but need funding to scale them. A cybersecurity representative also supported the bill, warning that the large amount of health data and AI-related tools will require strong data protection and professional support. The hearing was closed with no opposition testimony, and the committee announced it would return later in the day for further work on the bill and other measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• What is the ROI for North Dakota state appropriations to NDUS?
• We certainly know how much the legislature is appropriating.
• We certainly know how much the legislature is appropriating.
• Would it be the appropriations committee?
• And I feel that that's the appropriate way to go.

Summary: The committee was called to order, the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer were offered, and the minutes from the previous meeting were approved. Members then received a memo summarizing major audit items and began hearing audit presentations from the State Auditor’s Office and private auditors on a range of state agencies and organizations. Several audits were reported as clean, including the Bank of North Dakota, the North Dakota Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the Office of the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation’s flexible transportation fund, Lake Region State College, and the Department of Environmental Quality. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association also received an unmodified opinion, though repeat findings were noted for limited segregation of duties and financial statement preparation due to its small staff. The Council on the Arts audit found two findings: payroll charged to federal awards without adequate timekeeping records, and unallowable expenditures from a restricted cultural endowment fund. The Department of Public Instruction audit identified unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, though additional testing showed the funds were used for their intended purpose. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which identified four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating limit, grant conditions not being met, improper Breeders Fund awards, and improper procurement for advertising services. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson acknowledged complacency and weak controls, said the agency would tighten procedures, and explained that the commission had since worked with procurement and would follow the rules more closely. Auditors also explained that the commission would now be audited every two years because of the findings. Another major discussion involved the University of North Dakota School of Law, where auditors found a lack of documentation supporting admissions decisions for post-baccalaureate programs. UND officials said they remain in good standing with the American Bar Association but agreed better documentation and tools are needed; the committee pressed for more transparency and follow-up on admissions criteria. The committee also received an update on Dakota College at Bottineau, where Minot State University reported that bank reconciliations had been brought current after a significant backlog and would now be maintained through shared services. Members requested a written follow-up report on the issues and corrective actions. Finally, the North Dakota Fair Association explained that its foundation has been dissolved and remaining funds were transferred to another nonprofit for continued support of the state fair, and the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, saying the reported amount was about $1.1 million from a partial district survey and that debt remains a local issue, though it could be revisited if school meal funding changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• in comparison to the appropriation from last biennium.
• in comparison to the appropriation from last biennium.
• So, I mean, was it... ...on like what we appropriated and how much has been spent.
• There was a continuing appropriation authorized for that new purpose, though.
• So how much was that appropriation? There was a fee established in this bill.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to hear the Attorney General’s budget and related agency presentations. Legislative Council first reviewed the compliance with legislative intent report and the base budget worksheet, highlighting current and ongoing appropriations, FTE changes, one-time funding items, continuing appropriations, and major special and federal funds. Members asked about items such as the Missing Indigenous People Grant Fund, the Internet Crimes Investigation Fund, and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit grant funding, and staff explained the funding sources and status of those programs. Assistant Attorney General Clare Ness then outlined the Attorney General’s office structure, staffing, and budget pressures. She emphasized the office’s broad statutory duties, the value of its legal and investigative work for state and local governments, and concerns about attorney salary competitiveness, the new and vacant FTE pool, and the impact of the 3% operating budget reduction on BCI, IT, and the crime lab. Members also discussed AG opinions, boards and commissions training, and the office’s litigation and settlement recoveries. Ness and committee members raised the possibility of broader attorney salary benchmarking across state government. The crime lab director described severe space and infrastructure constraints, including overcrowding, shared workspaces, glycol leaks, air handling limits, and aging fire and burglar alarm systems. She said the 2024 study projected a much larger facility would be needed and that a new building on the current health department site would best address the lab’s needs. She also reported that backlogs have improved significantly in DNA, drug, fingerprint, and firearms work, though toxicology had a recent delay after an air compressor failure. The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit director described the unit’s fraud, abuse, and neglect work, noted federal-state funding and recent federal scrutiny, and said the unit needs more staff. The gaming division reviewed charitable gaming growth, e-tabs, trust accounts, and compliance issues, while BCI covered its caseload, cybercrime and child sexual abuse material investigations, the missing indigenous person task force, and the use of lottery funds for drug task forces. No formal votes or budget actions were taken during the meeting.