Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, you don't create legislation for one hospital or for one district.
• I did ask Legislative Council on the best place to provide funding.
• There's abuse, probably mismanagement and not appropriate management.
• So that's the second appropriation, Madam President.
• Seventy-nine legislators have yet to file their annual statement of interest.

Bills: SB2401, SB2402, SB2403, SB2404

Keywords: SB 2401, North Dakota, Century Code, occupational therapy, occupational therapy board, criminal history record check, background check, licensee investigation, physician continuing education, medical license renewal, nutrition education, metabolic health, chronic disease prevention, health occupation boards, medical board, licensure fee, audit response, disciplinary action, Title 43, board of medicine

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. It adopted the procedural employment committee report naming Senate staff for the special session. The chamber then took up several health-care and appropriations measures, first adopting amendments to Senate Bills 2401, 2402, and 2403 before moving them to final passage. Senate Bill 2401 passed 44-2 and requires physicians to complete at least one hour of continuing education in nutrition and metabolic health, part of a broader rural health care package. Senate Bill 2402 passed 46-0 after major amendments negotiated between the medical and pharmacy boards; as amended, it expands pharmacists’ prescriptive authority and therapeutic substitution in limited areas while excluding categories such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, chemotherapy agents, Schedule II drugs, biological products, and narrow therapeutic index drugs. Supporters said it would improve rural access and help secure rural health transformation funding, while questions focused on how pharmacist competence would be measured and enforced. Senate Bill 2403, also passed 46-0, creates a short-term medical facility emergency operating loan program through the Bank of North Dakota, reduced by amendment from $10 million to $5 million, to help a financially distressed rural hospital. Senators discussed the hospital’s mismanagement, the need for a bridge loan, and safeguards including a limited application window and expiration in 2027. Senate Bill 2404 passed 46-0 and provides supplemental appropriations to the Information Technology Department for ADA-related website accessibility compliance and to the Public Service Commission for additional legal costs in federal energy-rate litigation. The Senate then made announcements about a Highway Patrol safety presentation and filing deadlines, excused an absent member, and adjourned until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Introduction of legislation.
• Involving fund appropriations bill.
• I'm carrying this legislation on behalf of the NMFA's Interim Legislative Oversight Committee, which
• Speaker, what the price tag is on this legislation?
• From my understanding with the legislation, it's just...

Transcript Highlights:

• I urge an aye vote at the appropriate time. All right.
• And so that is the goal of this legislation.
• I implore every legislator to reimagine. based publicly funded appropriately tailored and with meaningful
• So now would be an appropriate time.
• So now would be appropriate time.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you just start at the top of this special appropriations, this would be for appropriations authorized
• So starting out right there on line one, you'll notice there's an appropriation to the Legislative Finance
• That would be a two-year appropriation for $5.5 million.
• Chair, with that, that is the special appropriations.
• And us, how can we get all 112 legislators on board?

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill assigns responsibility to the appropriate state agencies.
• The motion is do pass, recommended consent to the Committee on Appropriations.
• The motion is do pass, recommended consent to appropriations.
• But as legislators, that is our job.
• As legislators, that is our job: to legislate and go through a very robust process to ensure that we're

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please stand for the prayer by Donna Kafer, our legislative chaplain.
• Legislative District 22.
• SB 45, appropriation State Route 24 extensions. Appropriations, Transportation, Technology.
• SCR 1026, general appropriation bill continued appropriation.
• Appropriations, Transportation, Technology.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rivers and Swantex that's come The Legislative Assembly or leave it?
• I think there was some discussion as far as, okay, legislative intent, and Alex is working on some legislative
• House Appropriations gave it a do not pass and did not include an appropriation for that issue.
• I thought there wasn't appropriation on there. Yeah, we didn't take it off.
• Chairman, no, there's no appropriation in that bill.

Bills: SB2003

Keywords: higher education, student loans, scholarships, capital projects, workforce development, funding, North Dakota university system, 908, all

Summary: The committee met to work through the higher education budget, beginning with a conflict-of-interest request from Representative Martinson, who was excused from voting because of a partnership that leases office space to Bismarck State College. Members then reviewed the higher education institution budget sheets, covering ongoing and one-time funding items for campuses and system projects such as BSC housing, Lake Region roof repairs, UND’s STEM and National Security Crossroads projects, the UND allied health facility, NDSU projects including New Horizons, DSU deferred maintenance and campus security, Mayville’s Old Main, Minot projects, and the regional health institutes. Members also discussed student financial assistance, the professional student exchange program, IT security funding, and workforce/education innovation grants. Several amendments and policy questions were debated. The committee adopted an amendment to make workforce education innovation grants competitive rather than automatically distributed, and then voted to remove language prohibiting those funds from being used to duplicate academic programs. Members also removed similar anti-duplication language from the New Horizons section. They agreed to extend the UND hyperbaric chamber transfer authority to 2027 and clarified language around UND land-sale proceeds. A proposed amendment to add $5.6 million for the Wahpeton State School of Science building purchase failed for lack of a second, and a proposal to restore fetal alcohol spectrum disorder funding to UND was left for conference. The committee also discussed, but did not add, a tuition cap change, a study on the Praxis exam, and several governance-related provisions. The committee spent significant time on broader higher education policy items, including a $3 million enterprise resource planning request for the university system, a $2 million grant program for students who are pregnant, recently gave birth, or are caring for young children, and a $1.1 million request for library age-verification software tied to the Odin system. Members also discussed dual-credit authority for UND and NDSU, a goal for the UND medical school to increase North Dakota resident enrollment, and intent language regarding the commissioner/chancellor model and presidential search authority. At the end of the meeting, the committee approved the amendments and then gave the higher education budget a do-pass recommendation as amended, with Representative Sanford designated as the carrier. The Forest Service budget was also approved, including two additional FTEs, and the committee adjourned after noting it would continue with other budgets the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the current biennium, the board was appropriated only 56%.
• appropriations request.
• We appreciate the opportunity to speak to you about the agency and our legislative appropriations request
• It is important to note that appropriations made for this purpose are not subject to the agency's appropriations
• I'm here today to express my support for the Texas Board of Nursing's legislative appropriations request

Bills: SB1, SB 1

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

Transcript Highlights:

• as you know, legislation.
• the percent increase in spend if we were comparing initial appropriations to initial appropriations.
• So when we come every legislative session, we provide an estimate of what the supplemental appropriate
• is available through the supplemental appropriations process to reduce that appropriation to kind of
• There was. legislation, again, in the 87th session. 8th regular session, the Appropriations Act included

Keywords: budget, House Bill 1, public education, healthcare, border security, federal funding, spending limits

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on reviewing the proposed budget for the upcoming biennium, with substantial discussions around House Bill 1 and its implications for public education, healthcare, and border security. The Comptroller presented a revenue overview indicating a total of $194.6 billion available for general purpose spending, which reflects a slight decrease compared to previous years due to fluctuating economic conditions. Members raised questions regarding spending limits and the impact of federal funding on state programs, highlighting concerns about the sustainability of funding in light of potential changes at the federal level.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for doing this important legislation.
• Motion is due pass to Appropriations.
• SB 1031, Blake's beer, motion is due pass to Appropriations.
• Motion is due pass to Appropriations.
• Motion is due pass to Appropriations. Absent member: Haney, aye. Appropriations.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• legislation for enabling legislation for everyone<00:27:10.480> and<00:27:10.799> members<
• As a legislative subdivision, the seclusion working group should abide by the legislative open meeting
• legislative open meeting law memorandum. legislative open meeting law memorandum.
• any comments on the enabling legisl any comments on the enabling legisl legislation legislation
• appropriate to take a look at. appropriate to take a look at.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then it went to a Senate Appropriations Committee.
• There's no question that the legislative body and the appropriators look at total cost of state personnel
• So I issue this warning to my fellow legislators.
• And that's why we put four legislators on the PERS Board.
• I said that the appropriations for this are $99,500. Mr.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, roll call, and a quorum present, then took up several procedural motions, including suspending House rules for three legislative days and replacing conference committee members on Senate Bill 2282 and SCR 4007. The chamber also recognized visiting student groups from Grafton/Pleasant Valley and Shiloh School. Later, the House agreed to several conference committee reports and moved a number of measures through final passage or final disposition. House Bill 1428, which would have created a sales tax exemption for clothing sold by thrift stores or nonprofit corporations, drew extensive debate over tax policy, revenue loss, and possible conflicts with streamlined sales tax rules. Supporters argued it would help lower-income shoppers and nonprofit thrift stores, while opponents said it created an unfair advantage and could reduce state and local revenue. The conference report was adopted, but the bill ultimately failed on final vote, 37-54. House Bill 1440, relating to cigar lounges, was amended in conference and then passed 75-17. House Bill 1460, concerning adult foster care for private-pay adults, electronic monitoring, and a legislative study, was also adopted and passed overwhelmingly, 91-1. The House then passed Senate Bill 2224, which revises gaming commission structure and gaming stamp requirements, adds Attorney General enforcement provisions, and includes a $25,000 general fund appropriation, by a vote of 88-0. Senate Bill 2327, which expands uses of the agriculture diversification and development fund and appropriates $15 million to it, passed 74-17 after a member was excused from voting due to a personal interest. Senate Bill 2267, creating a regulatory framework for on-site wastewater treatment systems and shifting licensing authority to the Department of Environmental Quality, passed 82-10, and Senate Bill 2276, addressing joint water resource boards for cross-county projects, passed 90-1. The most contentious debate centered on Senate Bill 2160, which would move the state employee health plan from grandfathered status to a non-grandfathered ACA-compliant plan and appropriate about $6.6 million for the transition. Supporters said it would give the PERS board more flexibility, expand preventive and other benefits, and potentially slow premium growth without charging employees premiums. Opponents warned it could raise out-of-pocket costs, add mandated benefits, and shift costs to employees, while also arguing the bill had not been adequately studied. After extended debate, the House passed SB 2160 by a vote of 55-37. The chamber also concurred in Senate amendments to House Bill 1318, a pesticide labeling bill, and placed it on final passage, but the transcript ends before the final vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then finally, our ask for appropriation is just a flat appropriation this year. and just a shade
• Are they still meeting the legislative intent of the original legislation?
• Are they meeting the intent of the legislation?
• I think we can get the homes off appropriations.
• It's in legislation. Seasonal employees.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is $500,000 set aside in GROW right now that hasn't been appropriated, and that's going to be appropriated
• The appropriations in this bill should cover training and AEDs.
• Legislators had asked for this, and I had supported it.
• Appropriations, if there are any, will be overseen and managed through the appropriate UNM business.
• Our membership has numerous positions for legislation, as you know.

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to make sure that it's age-appropriate, developmentally appropriate, and that it fits the alignment
• Do because we're going to review for appropriateness and need, so we want to make sure that it's age-appropriate
• form in the appropriate part of the ClassWallet for the appropriate child on the appropriate month and
• Not in the legislation, no, sir. Do you think it'd be appropriate?
• And I know we passed legislation.

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee reviewed a long agenda of agency rules, with most items approved without objection after brief presentations and no public comment. Early items included Department of Energy and Environment rules on landfill post-closure trust fund spending thresholds and liquefied petroleum gas standards, DFA’s electronic odometer disclosure rule, and several Department of Health rules covering ionizing radiation, mobile home and RV parks, lead-based paint, counseling board revisions, hearing instrument dispensers, athletic training, dental examiners, nursing, pharmacy, medical board, speech-language pathology and audiology, radiologic technology, massage therapy, community health workers, doula certification, and cosmetology/body art. Most of these changes were described as updates to match recent acts, federal standards, compact participation, fee adjustments, or cleanup/clarification, and the committee repeatedly approved them without objection. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the Arkansas State Board of Nursing’s broad set of rule changes implementing multiple 2025 acts. Those changes included creating a dialysis patient care technician registry, updating contact information requirements, expanding APRN authority to delegate certain tasks, clarifying death certificate and pronouncement authority, allowing substitution of therapeutically equivalent medications, permitting purchase of compounded products, and updating certified medication assistant rules and training standards. Members asked detailed questions about the meaning of therapeutically equivalent substitutions, delegation limits, compounded products, and how often medication lists would be updated; the board said it would review rules annually and use future rulemaking as needed. The committee also approved new nursing rules for declaratory orders and the new dialysis registry. The Department of Education’s rules drew the most discussion, especially the Arkansas Children’s Educational Freedom Account Program. The department said the revisions, based on Act 920 of 2025, were intended to add guardrails, clarify eligible expenses, and streamline approvals. Changes included defining core educational expenses, limiting sports-related spending, adding an intentional misuse standard, restricting certain technology purchases and requiring extra justification over $1,000, capping carryover funds at $8,500, and creating a reconsideration process for denied expenses. Members raised concerns about oversight, appeal timelines, sports equipment, provider credentialing, and whether the rules were too restrictive; department officials said the rules were meant to protect taxpayer funds while preserving flexibility, and they noted the program had received extensive public comment. The committee also approved Education rules for scholarships, residency classification, teacher programs, accelerated learning, and graduate medical education, as well as Labor and Licensing rules on wage and hour standards, boiler rules, motor vehicle commission requirements, professional wrestling regulation, appraiser qualifications, and military recruiting incentives.

Transcript Highlights:

• The this meeting of the Legislative Health and Human Services Committee will come to order.
• So, uh, Madam Chair, I work for the Legislative council Service.
• Um, 24 of those pieces of legislation were introduced.
• Um, again, um, got stalled in house appropriations.
• And then um House Bill 75 was another appropriation, and the request was for $43 million to be appropriated

Transcript Highlights:

• Appropriation being the authorization granted by the legislative body.
• :02.359> an body um the appropriation is an body um the appropriation is an authorization<00:38
• restrictions on how the Appropriations restrictions on how the Appropriations can<00:38:41.680><
• <01:05:43.400> appropriation<01:05:44.000> adjustments Appropriations appropriation adjustments
• Appropriations appropriation adjustments lapses<01:05:45.119> which<01:05:45.279> I<01

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee met for an organizational opening session in which the chair, Ken Weyler, called the committee to order and members introduced themselves. The introductions established the committee’s leadership and membership, including Vice Chair Dan McGuire, ranking member Mary Jane Wallner, deputy ranking member Karen Eil, clerk Jerry Griffin, and other members from both parties. Many members briefly described prior legislative service and professional backgrounds, with several noting prior experience on Finance or related budget committees. Chair Weyler then outlined committee procedures and expectations. He emphasized that Finance handles spending bills and fiscal notes, that bills will generally be heard by the full committee and then referred to the appropriate division, and that executive sessions may be used to save time when positions are clear. He reviewed rules on attendance, dress, phones, paperwork handling, committee replacements, conflict of interest and recusal, and the process for testimony, including that members should listen without debating witnesses and that sponsors of bills must recuse themselves from questioning witnesses on their own bills. He also described the committee’s structure and workload, noting three divisions and the role of legislative budget staff. Weyler said the committee would likely see bills from many policy committees that have fiscal impacts, and he encouraged policy committees to find offsets within their own areas rather than assume new spending will be added. No bills were heard and no votes were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chelsea Griffin and I'm a legislative Chelsea Griffin and I'm a legislative analyst<00:00:47.399>
• uh kind of miscellaneous appropriation uh kind of miscellaneous appropriation bonds<00:41:09.640
• infrastructure a smaller appropriation infrastructure a smaller appropriation bond<00:42:57.599>
• through the legislative appropriation. in debt for or um have to figure out uh in debt for or um have
• um uh uh the legislative through um uh uh the legislative appropriation<00:47:28.280> um<00:47

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Capital Investment Committee met on January 16 for an informational overview on state bonding and capital investment. House Research analyst Chelsea Griffin and House Fiscal analyst Andrew Lee explained the nonpartisan roles of their offices and then walked members through the basics of Minnesota bonding: how bonds are issued and repaid, how they are categorized, and the main legal authorities governing state general obligation bonds, including the state constitution, Minnesota statutes, and federal tax law. Griffin emphasized that state GO bond proceeds must be used for a public purpose, for a purpose authorized in the constitution, as specifically described in law, and must mature within 20 years. She also noted that state GO bonding is typically originated in the House and that capital projects financed with state GO bonds generally require a three-fifths vote in each chamber. The presentation also covered practical limits and requirements on bonding projects, including the distinction between state and local GO bonding, the role of bond counsel, restrictions on bond-financed property, the prohibition on reimbursing already-paid costs, and the full funding and non-state match requirements. In response to member questions, Griffin clarified that the full funding requirement in section 16A.502 means a project must be fully funded before the appropriation is available, while section 16A.86 reflects an expectation that local governments provide about half the financing for local projects, though the legislature can choose to fund more than half or waive a local match. She also said she did not believe a bill to make the 50 percent match requirement statutory passed last session. Lee then began a spreadsheet-based overview of the 2023 capital budget laws, explaining how capital investment spreadsheets are organized and how different fund types appear in the documents. He highlighted examples such as University of Minnesota projects funded with GO bonds and Minnesota State projects using user financing, where the system contributes a share of project costs from non-state sources such as tuition or system revenues. The committee did not take any votes or formal actions during this informational meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Nothing in rule 55.2 legislation.
• <00:07:45.039> is Even if the proposed legislation is Even if the proposed legislation is
• Um I think it's really not appropriate Um I think it's really not appropriate for<00:19:04.799><
• work um was prior to the legislation work um was prior to the legislation that<00:36:55.200>
• certainly be appropriate think it would certainly be appropriate for<00:39:48.480> the<00:39:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion is due pass to the Committee on Appropriations.
• I'm the legislative director with Greenbelt Alliance.
• Cal Fire Local 2881 has strongly supported home-hardening legislation, defensible space legislation,
• The motion is due pass to the Committee on Appropriations.
• It passes to the Committee on Appropriations.

Keywords: 987, senate, all