Transcript Highlights:

• Are you supporting letting the levy for it?
• targets, and sometimes we do give the education chairs levy targets.
• That's exactly right about levy targets.
• </c> chairs levy targets. I I don't disagree. chairs levy targets. I I don't disagree.
• </c> That's speaker exactly right about levy That's speaker exactly right about levy targets.<00:10:45.920

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House Democratic leaders and House Republican leaders announced a compromise set of budget targets reached Friday night, describing it as a numbers-only deal that leaves policy issues aside. They said the targets are the first step in the budget process: House committee chairs will write bills to fit the targets, those bills will go to Ways and Means, and later leaders will negotiate global targets with the governor and Senate. Leaders emphasized that the agreement reflects compromise rather than either party’s ideal budget, and that they will continue talks with Governor Walz and the Senate over the next several weeks. The speakers highlighted what was not included in the deal, saying it does not target paid family and medical leave, earned sick and safe time, reproductive rights, or universal school meals. They said the House priorities that did make it in include housing, education, pensions, public safety, and transportation. On education, they said the compromise provides $40 million in new money in the first biennium for the READ Act and no cuts in either biennium, contrasting that with larger cuts in the governor’s and Senate proposals. They also said schools could still choose to fund unemployment insurance for school workers from existing resources, though it was not earmarked in the targets. Leaders said the agreement leaves room for committee chairs to make choices within the targets, including in health and human services, where they described the target as a reduction in projected growth rather than a cut to existing appropriations. They said the budget plan sets aside discretionary inflation adjustments in the first biennium while preserving inflation indexing for items like the K-12 formula. They also said the deal improves the state’s long-term balance, with a projected $1.6 billion balance in the first biennium and a $1.3 billion deficit in the second, and that the House’s numbers do not include the same revenue assumptions as the governor’s and Senate’s plans. In questions, leaders said conference committees will require majority support from both House and Senate conferees, and that the House will send equal numbers of Democratic and Republican conferees. They said the bonding bill size is still under discussion, but the adopted numbers would allow for roughly a $700 million general obligation bill. They also said large state spending for professional sports facilities is likely over, and explained that the press conference was held without Republican leaders for logistical reasons after the deal was reached late Friday.

Transcript Highlights:

• But at a certain Point, we're using property tax levy just to help process all these delays.
• , still paying for 80 new eligibility workers for their levy just last year.
• So I've entered in the $344 of gross monthly earned income for this client 3 times on this panel.
• We're also using property tax levies to fund it.
• Just a one percent levy increase is about $100,000 for some of our smaller counties.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> general education revenue aid and levy general education revenue aid and levy is<00:40:23.200><c
• </c><00:40:52.079><c> by</c> reduce property tax levies by reduce property tax levies by approximately
• or capital levies.
• This means that without an levies.
• Depends, of your previous earnings.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But this is not additional earnings.
• This is just like interest earnings, things like that, the funding. Interesting.
• This is just like interest earnings, things like that, the funding. Interest, yes.
• Levi brought to my attention the last, was it Section 10?
• And again, if you can't get it done, Levi, just let us know. We'll wait until Monday.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first returned to the A&E/Water Resources budget and walked through the bill section by section, agreeing to keep some routine items and remove or defer others. Members accepted Section 4 with language to allow additional Resources Trust Fund revenues and requested federal funds, while Sections 5, 6, 7, 10, and 17 were taken out for now. They also discussed Section 12’s Bank of North Dakota line of credit for the water infrastructure revolving loan fund, Section 14’s federal funding for the biotreatment plant, Section 20’s study language on water governance and finance, Section 22’s line-item transfer limits, and Section 23’s carryover language. Several members raised concerns about the size and flexibility of available funds, the need for a project stabilization fund, and whether some projects—especially Southwest water—should be studied again. No final votes were taken, and the chair said the committee would return to the budget later after more numbers were known. The committee then moved to the Historical Society budget, where members reviewed a series of one-time funding changes. The $500,000 NAGPRA grant was removed from the budget because it is tied to separate legislation. For the military gallery expansion, the committee reduced SIF funding by $5 million and split another $4.2 million request between SIF and donations. The Medora area planning amount was reduced, local grants were reworked with matching requirements and a cap on awards, Fargo’s request was reduced, the Medora transportation improvement grant was removed, and the America’s 250th celebration funding was increased to $1 million. Members also discussed adding language giving the North Dakota National Guard military gallery primacy on signage and allowing the Adjutant General to manage content. The chair and members indicated the Historical Society budget amendments would be drafted and brought back, with the goal of finishing them by Friday if possible. The committee also noted upcoming hearings on related bills, including 1603, and said the budget work would likely go to conference committee because several funding and matching issues remained unresolved. No formal votes were taken in this portion either, and the meeting adjourned with plans to reconvene the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our theme, if you want to call it that, is to listen to things surrounding earned income, earned sick
• Our theme, if you want to call it that, is to listen to things surrounding earned income, earned sick
• Our theme, if you want to call it that, is to listen to things surrounding earned income, earned sick
• Our theme, if you want to call it that, is to listen to things surrounding earned income, earned sick
• Our theme, if you want to call it that, is to listen to things surrounding earned income, earned sick

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• school districts to include summer term worker unemployment costs in their local unemployment insurance levy
• </c><00:02:19.959><c> Authority</c> unemployment insurance Levy Authority unemployment insurance Levy
• Now, with the state appropriations running out this summer and the levy authority now being proposed
• Now, with the state appropriations running out this summer and the levy authority now being proposed
• </c> question is if we put this on the levies question is if we put this on the levies I<00:24:37.240

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> take a five-year average of the levies take a five-year average of the levies so<00:03:52.720><c
• ><00:04:22.360><c> your</c><00:04:22.639><c> Aid</c><00:04:23.000><c> would</c> levied low you your Levy
• your Aid would levied low you your Levy your Aid would be<00:04:23.320><c> going</c><00:04:23.560><c
• <01:04:23.359><c> our</c><01:04:23.559><c> support</c> earn our support earn our support thank<01:04:
• </c> mean that they're not actually earning mean that they're not actually earning income<01:15:58.520

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Levies have become supplemental.
• </c> of like the batter in the cake and Levy of like the batter in the cake and Levy school<00:41:34.000
• </c><00:43:45.480><c> it</c> it could be the local option Levy it it could be the local option Levy it
• </c><00:44:05.119><c> increased</c> the local property levies increased the local property levies increased
• </c><01:02:30.480><c> shift</c> the 9010 shift and then a levy shift the 9010 shift and then a levy shift

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:45:37.640><c> limitations</c> the proposal Aid and Levy limitations the proposal Aid and Levy
• </c> rink they cannot combine to do the levy rink they cannot combine to do the levy only<00:47:38.359
• First, it requires that all experiences allow students to earn academic credit.
• </c> experiences allow students to earn experiences allow students to earn academic<00:58:04.000><c>
• Civics credit another credit still earn Civics credit another credit earning<01:22:15.719><c> opportunity

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that they were levying.
• that they were levying.
• What they levied, I'm assuming the 5.4 was well within their levying authority.
• levying.
• If they want to keep levying it, levying it, they just have to pay it back.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that they were levying.
• What they levied, I'm assuming the 5.4 was well within their levying authority.
• levying.
• If they want to keep levying it, levying it, they just have to pay it back.
• If they want to keep levying it, levying it, they just have to pay it back.

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:

• They're exempt from paying excess levies and part two of the state levy, as well as full or partial exemption
• from regular levies depending on income level.
• of the state levy.
• , part two of the state levy, and regular levies on the greater of $50,000 or 35% of assessed valuation
• , the second state levy, and regular levies on the greater of $60,000 or 60% of the assessed valuation

Summary: House Finance met in executive session on Gross Substitute Senate Bill 6346, the proposed “millionaires’ income tax” package. Staff reviewed the bill and a long list of amendments affecting the new income tax, related business tax changes, and several exemptions and implementation provisions. The committee adopted amendments to exempt diapers from sales tax, allow certain tribal income treatment clarifications, create an advisory group to help implement the tax, move up the repeal date for some business tax changes, and require the measure to go to the voters; several other amendments on federal conformity, agricultural income, pass-through entities, and the marriage threshold were rejected or withdrawn. The committee then adopted the striking amendment as amended and advanced the bill on a 9-6 do pass vote, with supporters arguing it would fund education, health care, child care, and tax relief, and opponents warning about competitiveness, capital flight, and the state’s spending growth. The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Bill 6097, which would add federally recognized Indian tribes as eligible entities for county Conservation Futures Program funding. Staff said the bill would not change the tax levy structure and would have no state revenue impact, while tribal witnesses said it would improve voluntary conservation partnerships for habitat, farmland, and open space. Members asked about the bill’s scope, and staff confirmed it applies only to federally recognized tribes. House Finance also heard Senate Bill 6162, a property tax reform measure that would consolidate the state school levy, expand senior and disability property tax exemptions, raise income thresholds, and simplify the application process with a standard deduction. The prime sponsor and county assessors supported the bill as a way to help seniors, disabled persons, and disabled veterans stay in their homes and reduce administrative burden, while several testifiers opposed it as a tax shift that would raise costs for others and potentially strain local revenues. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6113, an administrative and technical tax cleanup bill related to last year’s tax changes; the Department of Revenue supported it and noted a possible clarifying amendment, while nonprofits, schools, libraries, health care groups, workforce training providers, and trade associations asked for additional exemptions for live presentations and related educational activities. The chair announced that Senate Bill 6097 would be added to Monday’s executive session, Senate Bill 6114 was removed, and amendments for Monday’s bills were due by 5 p.m. that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've got a neat little map here that shows this is final levy data.
• We've entered the earned income for our client, any applicant.
• </c> is the screen where we enter earned is the screen where we enter earned income<00:45:29.119><c>
• Now, I want to point out this first budget page, earned income.
• If you first budget page, earned income.

Bills: HF3396

Keywords: property tax, task force, assessment, state revenue, local government, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Lauren Levy with the Property Appraisers Association of Florida, waiving in support.
• And should we continue to levy these taxes on ourselves to be able to spend the resources necessary?
• Let's see, Lauren Levy, Property Appraisers Association of Florida. You are recognized.
• My name is Lauren Levy. I represent the Property Appraisers Association of Florida.
• of those hard-earned dollars back to our families, our residents, our farmers, our businesses.

Summary: The Finance and Tax Committee met and first heard SB 674, which would allow county property appraisers, like tax collectors already can, to budget for and pay hiring or retention bonuses if approved in their Department of Revenue budget. Support came from property appraiser representatives, who said the bill would help them compete for specialized staff without requiring new funding. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered SJR 318, a proposed constitutional amendment on tangible personal property used on agricultural land, along with an amendment clarifying the exemption’s scope and allowing the Legislature to set conditions by general law. Farm Bureau and the Florida Chamber supported the measure, and the committee adopted the amendment and reported the joint resolution favorably. Members also took up CS for SB 1664, which would require voter reapproval of local discretionary taxes when they expire; an amendment changed the bill to require expiration dates and tied reapproval to tax expiration rather than a fixed eight-year cycle. Local government and tourism groups raised concerns about impacts on tourist development taxes, transportation surtaxes, beaches funding, and long-term financing, while supporters argued voters should periodically affirm local taxes. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. Next, the committee considered SJR 1510 and its implementing bill SB 1512, both dealing with a homestead-style property tax benefit for certain long-term leased residential properties. After multiple amendments narrowed the proposal substantially, limiting it to one qualifying property and then to single-family homes, mobile homes, and condominium units, counties and cities still opposed the measures as a tax shift to other taxpayers. The sponsor said the changes reduced the scope and fiscal impact, and both measures were reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SPB 7034, the Senate tax package, which includes permanent sales tax exemptions, multiple tax holidays, motor vehicle fee reductions, a property tax study, rural investment tax credits, a freeze on local communications services tax rates, and other tax changes, with an estimated $2.1 billion revenue reduction. Testimony was mixed: property appraisers supported the property tax study, while many public commenters opposed the firearm and ammunition tax holiday and urged inclusion of gun safes and locks instead. County, city, tourism, and lodging representatives raised concerns about tourist development tax limits and other local revenue impacts, while supporters emphasized tax relief and the study’s value. After debate, the committee adopted a motion to submit SPB 7034 as a committee bill and reported it favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• or receives premiums and replacing it with a reference to insurer Activities upon which the insurer earns
• risk, either directly or through reinsurance, upon which premiums or other consideration have been earned
• lid lift. ...which the apportionment of tax allocation revenues is dispersed if voters pass a levy lid
• rate by the levy rate of a fire protection district and exempts the 25 cents of a levy available to
• By the the population of 500,000 or less to reduce its general levy rate by the levy rate of a fire protection

Summary: House Finance held a bill briefing and executive session on a large set of tax and revenue measures, with staff outlining proposed substitutes and amendments for bills affecting grocery store incentives, insurance premium/B&O tax treatment, tobacco taxes, financial institutions, lodging taxes, fire district levy rules, local tax increment financing, limited equity cooperatives, tourism assessments, and sustainable aviation fuel credits. Members also heard brief summaries of bills on nonprofit assembly hall property tax exemptions and a city levy adjustment related to fire protection districts. Two bills scheduled for public hearing were not reached and may be rescheduled after House of Origin cutoff. In executive session, the committee adopted or rejected several amendments before voting bills out. HB 2297 on grocery stores in underserved communities advanced after the committee rejected an amendment to remove the property tax exemption; the bill was reported out 9-5-1. HB 2487 on insurance tax treatment advanced after the committee rejected an amendment to remove retroactivity and clarify annuity treatment; it was reported out 8-6-1. HB 2382, which raises cigarette and other tobacco taxes and changes tobacco tax structures, adopted amendments redirecting some revenue to health accounts, excluding nicotine-free vapor products, and restoring current-law treatment for modified-risk tobacco products before passing 8-6-1. HB 2451 on tax increment financing, HB 2590 on limited equity cooperatives, HB 2325 on a tourism self-supported assessment program with a tribal opt-in amendment, HB 2278 extending a lodging tax charge, HB 2224 adjusting levy rules for fire protection districts, and HB 2322 on sustainable aviation fuel tax credits all advanced, with some by voice vote. During debate, supporters generally framed the bills as targeted incentives or clarifications to support food access, wildfire mitigation, tourism promotion, housing affordability, or clean fuel investment, while opponents raised concerns about tax shifts, affordability, retroactivity, and whether dedicated revenues should instead come from the general fund. Several members noted that some measures still needed further work before floor action, especially HB 2487 and HB 2382. The committee adjourned after reporting the listed bills out with due pass recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• that they were levying.
• levying.
• levying.
• If they want to keep levying it, levying it, they just have to pay it back.
• Okay, thanks, Levi.

Summary: The committee convened, approved the prior meeting minutes, and received a memo summarizing major audit items. The State Auditor’s office and outside auditors then presented a series of audits, many of which were clean with unmodified opinions and no findings, including the Bank of North Dakota, the Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Quality, Lake Region State College, and the Office of the Governor. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association audit was also clean overall, but it repeated findings about limited segregation of duties and auditor assistance in preparing financial statements, which the auditor said were expected to continue because of the organization’s small size. Committee members asked about out-of-state board addresses, and the association explained those members were North Dakota residents using South Dakota mailing addresses. Several audits did include findings. The Council on the Arts audit identified two issues: payroll charged to federal awards without supporting time records, and $12,825 in Cultural Endowment Fund spending that was not allowable under state law, including staff training, retreats, and executive director candidate travel. The Department of Public Instruction audit found unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, but additional testing confirmed the funds were credited properly and students completed required school district work, so no improper payments were identified. The University of North Dakota audit found a lack of documentation and transparency in School of Law admissions decisions; the auditor said the law school used a holistic process but did not keep notes or evaluation tools to show why applicants were admitted, waitlisted, or denied. UND leadership said the school is in good standing with the American Bar Association and agreed better documentation is needed, and the auditor said the issue was the missing documentation, not ABA accreditation itself. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which found four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating cap, grant conditions not being met, improper breeder fund awards, and improper procurement. The auditor said promotion fund spending exceeded the cap by $327,447 and the fund balance dropped sharply over the audit period. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson said the agency had become complacent, that grant requests were treated as routine, and that controls and documentation need to be tightened. He also explained that the breeder fund overpayments involved two horses whose ownership transfers were not properly documented before racing, and that the procurement issue stemmed from an advertising contract that proceeded without proper written procurement procedures after a misunderstanding with the State Procurement Office. The auditor said the Racing Commission will now be audited every two years because of the findings. The committee also received updates on Dakota College at Bottineau’s bank reconciliations, which Minot State University said had been brought current after an 18-month backlog, with only one account still needing cleanup; members asked for a written report on the corrective actions. The North Dakota Fair Foundation was reported to have dissolved, with remaining funds transferred to another nonprofit account for continued support of the state fair. Finally, the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, revising the earlier estimate to about $1.1 million based on incomplete district survey responses, and said the Anti-Lunch Shaming law likely increased meal debt because schools must feed students regardless of account balance. Members discussed the need for a more accurate year-end debt figure and possible future reporting at a later committee meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have several: Lauren Levy with the Property Appraisers Association of Florida, waving in support
• Let's see, Lauren Levy, Property Appraisers Association of Florida. You are recognized.
• My name is Lauren Levy. I represent the Property Appraisers Association of Florida.
• Give back as much of that hard-earned money as possible and try to lessen that financial burden.
• of those hard-earned dollars back to our families, our residents, our farmers, our businesses.

Summary: The Finance and Tax Committee considered several tax-related measures. SB 674, allowing county property appraisers to budget for and pay hiring or retention bonuses with Department of Revenue approval, was supported by property appraisers and reported favorably. C.S. for SJR 318, as amended, would create a tangible personal property exemption for agricultural land used in agricultural production or agritourism; the amendment clarified the property’s location and allowed the Legislature to define conditions, and the resolution was reported favorably with support from Farm Bureau and the Florida Chamber. The committee also advanced C.S. for SB 1664, as amended, which requires locally approved discretionary taxes to be reauthorized by voters when they expire and sets rules for taxes tied to revenue bonds. Local government and tourism-related groups raised concerns about impacts on tourist development taxes, beach funding, transportation surtaxes, and long-term planning, while supporters argued voters should periodically reaffirm taxes; the bill was reported favorably. C.S. for SJR 1510 and its implementing bill, SB 1512, were both amended to sharply narrow a proposed long-term lease property tax exemption to one qualifying property and to single-family homes, mobile homes, and condominiums; counties and cities opposed the measures as tax shifts, but both were reported favorably. The committee then took up SPB 7034, the Senate tax package, which includes permanent sales tax exemptions for certain clothing and bullion, multiple tax holidays, a temporary motor vehicle fee reduction, a property tax study, corporate and insurance tax credit changes, a communications services tax freeze, and other tax provisions, with staff estimating $2.1 billion in total revenue reduction. Testimony included support for studying property taxes and strong opposition to the firearm and ammunition tax holiday from students and advocacy groups, who argued it was unsafe and inappropriate; others urged adding combined reporting or removing tourist development tax changes. After debate, the committee reported the package favorably and also approved a motion to submit it as a committee bill. The meeting ended after Senator Bernard recorded an affirmative vote on tab 5 and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Lease Levy as well as safe schools levy Lease Levy as well as safe schools levy that<00:05:11.560
• safe and sick time relationship earn safe and sick time earn<00:26:42.880><c> safe</c><00:26:43.080>
• </c><00:43:01.520><c> generates</c> student programs that Levy generates student programs that Levy generates
• Schools would Levy an average of0 to Schools would Levy an average of0 to $5,000<00:49:43.640><c> per
• </c><00:50:05.920><c> so</c> budget These funds cannot be levied so budget These funds cannot be levied

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So you could be a family renting, earning $50,000 a year, and not receive a dime, but if you're Mark
• It's kind of like the batter and the cake, and levies school districts do are supposed to be the icing
• But education funding has not kept pace with inflation, and levies have had to supplement the batter.
• We would buy that down; it could be the local option levy.
• You know, this amendment puts us on a path where we would be able to eliminate $4 billion in levies.

Transcript Highlights:

• have and maintain a minimum net worth equal to the greater of $3 million or 2% of the annual premium earned
• The minimum net worth is equal to the greater of $3 million or 2% of the annual premium earned, as reported
• the Cascade Care Savings Program is the state premium assistance program available to individuals earning
• I have earned a BA and a master's in early childhood education.
• Through Running Start, I have earned two years of tuition-free college credits.

Bills: SB5808, HB2254, HB2385, SB6006, SB6351, SB6198, SB6260, SB6353, SB5949, SB6129, SB6228, SB6231, SB6229, SB6173

Keywords: health insurance, premium assistance, funding, healthcare access, state budget, HB 2254, Washington, Health Care Authority, partnership access line, psychiatric consultation line, first approach skills training, behavioral health, mental health, assessment, administrative costs, health carriers, self-funded plans, multiple employer welfare arrangement, MEWA, employers