Bills: HB2, SB152

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion

Transcript Highlights:

• And then in years two and subsequently, the PRC will have the ability to increase that to $100 million
• the affordability and broadband fund for modern maintenance and new infrastructure—exactly what the PRC
• is that they reimburse companies quarterly based off of the invoices that the companies send to the PRC
• Chairman, let me correct myself: The PRC can see that information and... ...would have that if you choose
• Is that from the PRC, the FCC? Who? Mr. Chairman, thank you for the question.

Bills: HB2, SB152

Keywords: general appropriation, budget, Medicaid, education funding, public safety, telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion

Transcript Highlights:

• Within their PRC, this was intended to fill the gaps advocacy gaps for consumers and residential. customers

Bills: SB3, HB70, HB49, HB60, HB151, HB164, SB17, SB35, SB164

Keywords: Public Regulation Commission, PRC, utility oversight fund, public utilities, utility regulation, commissioners, commission staff, chief of staff, ethics, Gift Act, revolving door, post-employment restrictions, consumer complaints, telecommunications, pipeline safety, natural gas pipelines, oil pipelines, license fees, regulatory oversight, administrative cleanup

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to first introduce my expert witnesses, Chief of Staff of the PRC Choyakuri and Commissioner
• of the PRC Greg Nyberg, whom you may recognize from his previous adventures.
• Second, it allows the PRC to operate as a self-funded agency while preserving...
• to do the work of the PRC.
• Can you tell me what that is pertaining to the PRC?

Bills: HB70, HB93, HB95, HB139, HB140, HJR4

Keywords: Public Regulation Commission, PRC, utility oversight fund, public utilities, utility regulation, commissioners, commission staff, chief of staff, ethics, Gift Act, revolving door, post-employment restrictions, consumer complaints, telecommunications, pipeline safety, natural gas pipelines, oil pipelines, license fees, regulatory oversight, administrative cleanup

Transcript Highlights:

• How does this bill impact the PRC process? The PRC process in the statute is completely unchanged.
• Some of that time in front of the PRC.
• Years, some of that time in front of the PRC as an advocate and also as staff attorney at the PRC.
• The PRC is charged with a lot of responsibilities.
• But I do struggle with what this says to the PRC.

Bills: HB303, SB96, HM6

Keywords: public utility, certificate of public convenience and necessity, certificate of need, Public Regulation Commission, PRC, utility regulation, ratemaking, energy storage, battery storage, grid reliability, renewable energy, transmission, distribution, generation plant, utility expansion, service territory, mutual domestic water consumer association, economic development department, clean energy, fossil fuel reduction

Bills: SB152, SB145, SB190, HB247

Keywords: telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion, rural internet, broadband infrastructure, eligible telecommunications carrier, ETC, tribal consent

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, this was to underscore the intent of the bill where the PRC would have that authority.
• But it doesn't mean that the PRC is going to go from $10 million to $45 million.
• But we want to give the PRC the bill, but the first year they can only go up to $10 million.
• Chairman, Senator, so this is based off the existing statutory authority at the PRC for the low-income

Bills: SB152, SB145, SB190, HB247

Keywords: telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion, rural internet, broadband infrastructure, eligible telecommunications carrier, ETC, tribal consent

Transcript Highlights:

• Sending to my last. 2026 to 2027, PRC.
• The PRC would access and control utility-grade resources.
• The PRC would access and control utility-grade resources.
• The exact requirements would be up to the PRC to determine.
• Representative experts, I, as I'm reading this, the only role that the PRC has in this— ...that the PRC

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The President has raised that as a potential role for the PRC. Do we think that's likely? Dr. Lind.
• So, do we think there is any incentive for the PRC to help move?
• It has a lot of resources, but it's at risk of becoming a foothold for PRC military expansion.
• Hurt, how do you think the PRC would view this pause in our foreign assistance?
• I think one of the most powerful tools we have is to deny the PRC a market.

Transcript Highlights:

• I addressed it in many, many briefs before the PRC, before I retired.
• I was not in the Senate yet, and I believe we should have elected PRC members.
• amendment has struck the PRC out of this, but the initiative is still there.
• And I think we ought to let the PRC do what the PRC is supposed to do.
• Or put PRC.

Bills: SM20, SM9, SJR6, HB124

Keywords: youth violence, violence prevention, violence intervention, community violence intervention, credible messengers, peer support, restorative justice, violence interrupters, juvenile justice, at-risk youth, high-risk youth, public safety, Department of Health, New Mexico, statewide summit, data collection, reporting, interagency coordination, community-based organizations, law enforcement

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe the discount application was after the PRC for those that received the PRC.
• They may have gotten the full PRC.
• They may have gotten the full PRC.
• They may have gotten the full PRC.
• They may have gotten the full PRC.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2401, which would require physicians to complete continuing education on nutrition and metabolic health as part of the state’s rural health transformation effort. HHS supported the bill, saying it would help physicians better address chronic disease and preserve federal grant points tied to the state’s application. A member of the public also testified in favor, arguing that better nutrition education could improve diabetes outcomes and reduce costs. The committee then adopted an amendment to add the Board of Occupational Therapy Practice to the background-check statute so the occupational therapy compact could proceed, and it passed the bill as amended on a roll call vote. The committee next heard House Bill 1621, which would require the Presidential Fitness Physical Fitness Test in elementary, middle, and high school physical education courses. HHS said the bill was part of the rural health transformation application and could help preserve federal funding, but members raised many questions about the test’s criteria, adaptive options for students with disabilities, equipment needs, and whether the bill should apply to non-public schools. Senator Clemens offered an amendment to limit the requirement to public schools, but it failed. Senator Hogan then offered an amendment to clarify exemptions and allow DPI to align implementation with federal guidance; that amendment passed. A further amendment adding language allowing DPI to establish criteria for and exceptions to the test also passed. The committee then approved the bill as amended on a roll call vote. The committee also considered House Bill 1622, which joins North Dakota to the physician assistant licensure compact. HHS said the compact would improve access to care, especially in rural areas, support military families, and help preserve rural health transformation funding. Members noted the compact had been discussed in a prior session and that many earlier concerns had been resolved. After brief discussion about the compact process and its consistency with other interstate compacts, the committee voted to do pass the bill. Finally, the committee began Senate Bill 2402, which expands pharmacists’ prescriptive authority and therapeutic substitution powers. HHS and the Board of Pharmacy supported the bill as a way to improve access to care and maintain rural health transformation funding. Senator Roers introduced a detailed amendment negotiated with the Board of Medicine and Board of Pharmacy to narrow and clarify the bill, including notification requirements, limits on certain drug categories, and patient-protection language for therapeutic substitution. The Board of Pharmacy then testified in support of the broader bill and explained the CLIA-waived testing provisions and the repeal of the older, narrower pharmacist-testing language. The hearing and amendment discussion were still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• So Choya Khuri is the chief of staff for the PRC.
• There's lots of exciting things happening at the PRC.
• And so, like I said, week of everything, big things happening at the PRC.
• The bill proposes to create a fund to fund the PRC out of those utility fees.
• I'm the chief of staff at the PRC. OK, Madam Chair. Ms.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the PRC... ...rules the way they want them.
• So once they have that certificate of compliance, PRC is saying they are good...
• I have got assurance from the PRC that they are going to hire expert staff.
• And that's what it's all about with the PRC.
• Should be done on a regular basis, with or without the request of the PRC.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So with the PRCs, with the values that come from...
• And then programs like the PRC, we had to automate to the extent possible.
• calculated on the whole amount, regardless of PRC.
• The other part, though, too, and that's peak season for us on PRC.
• Some modifications to it really become a moot point for a PRC recipient.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The subcommittee of the Tax Reform and Relief Committee met with a quorum to begin its study of whether the content of North Dakota real estate tax statements should be revised to improve transparency. Legislative Council staff reviewed the background for the study, including House Bill 1176, current statutory requirements for tax statements, and recent changes such as separate line items for bonded debt, primary residence credit, and legacy fund-related amounts. The Tax Department then explained the current statement format and noted that the form is prescribed and approved by the tax commissioner, with changes typically driven by statute and implemented collaboratively with counties and vendors. County officials from the North Dakota Association of Counties described the full annual process for preparing budgets, setting levies, calculating taxable values, and issuing notices and tax statements. They said counties spend significant time coordinating with taxing districts, neighboring counties, and software vendors, and that the new budget hearing notices and valuation notices have not generated much public response. Members raised concerns about the usefulness and clarity of certain line items, especially the legislative tax relief calculation and the primary residence credit, and discussed whether the current statement creates confusion rather than transparency. Testimony also addressed the 3% cap, mill levy worksheets, assessment cycles, and the role of county auditors and tax directors in maintaining accurate values. The committee also heard from software vendors CPT and Tyler Technologies about how legislative changes are programmed into tax systems and how online taxpayer portals can provide more detailed breakdowns of tax bills. Vendors said changes required by law are generally absorbed in contracts rather than billed directly to counties, and they demonstrated web tools and pie-chart style breakdowns that show where tax dollars go. NDACO presented a survey of eight counties estimating tax statement preparation and mailing costs, concluding that outsourced printing tends to be cheaper on average and that total statewide tax statement costs may be roughly $600,000, though the estimate was based on limited data. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational and focused on gathering testimony and identifying issues for possible future recommendations or bill drafts.

Transcript Highlights:

• So with the PRCs, with the values that come from...
• calculated on the whole amount, regardless of PRC.
• The other part, though, too, and that's peak season for us on PRC.
• The other part, though, too, and that's peak season for us on PRC.
• So I think that's... ...necessary to make that work for the PRC parcels.

Summary: The subcommittee of the Tax Reform and Relief Committee met to begin its study of the feasibility and desirability of revising the content of the real estate tax statement to improve property tax transparency. Legislative Council staff reviewed the study directive under House Bill 1176 and the statutory requirements for tax statements, including required line items such as true and full value, mill levy, legislative tax relief, primary residence credit, and the Legacy Fund portion of that credit. The Tax Department then explained how the current uniform statement is prescribed and approved, and noted that changes are typically driven by statute and implemented collaboratively with counties and vendors. County officials from the North Dakota Association of Counties described the full annual tax cycle, from county budgeting and valuation notices to budget hearing notices, levy certification, cap calculations, and final tax statement mailing. They emphasized that counties and auditors do extensive coordination with taxing districts and neighboring counties, and that the process is labor-intensive and often manual. Members discussed the limited public response to budget notices and tax statements, the difficulty of explaining the legislative tax relief line, the 3% cap and valuation issues, and whether more frequent assessments or different timing would improve understanding. Several members and witnesses noted that many taxpayers only engage when they receive their final bill, and that clarity may be more important than adding more detail. NDACO also presented a rough cost survey from eight counties, estimating an average tax statement cost of about 74 cents and a statewide total near $600,000 for printing and mailing tax statements alone, with outsourcing generally cheaper than in-house printing. Witnesses noted that House Bill 1176 added other mailings and notices, increasing county workload and cost beyond the statement itself. The committee then heard from software vendors, who explained how their systems handle tax billing, budget notices, valuation notices, primary residence credit processing, and tax levy calculations, and they identified the 1600/1685 primary residence credit and discount interaction as a current programming challenge. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational and focused on gathering testimony and identifying issues for possible future recommendations or bill drafts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you remind us where PRC is tabbed for?
• So you have the PRC and a handout, excellent. So I'm gonna go.
• We are not sitting on our heels and waiting For things to come to the PRC.
• Right now, the **PRC** has a special appropriation for FY 26 of $700,000.
• Can you tell me how many employees the PRC has? I'm still on. Mr. Chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• So with the PRCs, with the values that come from...
• Your PRC and this is a net result.
• I just pulled up my timeline for the PRC. We are auditing until I'll...
• calculated on the whole amount, regardless of PRC.
• The other part, though, too, and that's peak season for us on PRC.

Summary: The subcommittee of the Tax Reform and Relief Advisory Committee met to begin its study of whether the content of the real estate tax statement should be revised to improve transparency. Legislative Council staff reviewed the study directive from HB 1176 and the statutory requirements for tax statements, including required line items such as true and full value, mill levy, legislative tax relief, primary residence credit, legacy fund share, discounts for early payment, and special assessments. The Tax Department then explained how the current uniform statewide statement is prescribed and approved, and noted that changes are typically driven by statute and implemented collaboratively with counties and vendors. County officials from NDACO, including auditors from McKenzie and Richland counties, described the full annual property tax timeline from budgeting through mailing final statements. They explained how counties gather budgets, calculate levies, verify taxable values, handle centrally assessed property, and prepare required notices and statements. They also said public attendance at budget hearings is generally very low, though the notices and statements generate some calls, mostly about whether attendance is required or why taxes are changing. Several members questioned the usefulness of the legislative tax relief line and the complexity of the 5% discount calculation, and county officials said the current process can be confusing and depends on manual data entry and coordination among counties, vendors, and taxing districts. The committee also discussed assessment frequency, valuation equalization, the 3% cap, and whether more frequent reassessment would reduce large jumps in taxable value. County officials said they try to use rotating reassessments and sales-ratio reviews to keep values within statutory tolerance, but staffing, training, and local market changes make the work difficult. NDACO staff estimated, based on a small county survey, that tax statement preparation and mailing costs average about 74 cents per statement, with outsourcing generally cheaper than in-house printing, and said HB 1176 added some mailing and administrative costs even if the tax statement itself did not change dramatically. Software vendors from CPT and Tyler then began presentations showing how their systems handle budgeting, valuation notices, tax statement generation, primary residence credit processing, and levy worksheets, emphasizing that many of the required calculations and reports are still manually entered or verified by county staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• So on the next slide, we take... ...what it is that the PRC does.
• And so over the last two years, I'm really proud of the PRC.
• And so over the last two years, I'm really proud of the PRC.
• I mean, the PRC, I completely got your presentation.
• So PRC, that's the agency code 430, so it should be behind tab 4.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fewer tools to counter the PRC.
• Since establishing formal relations with the PRC in 1979, the United States has opened its markets to
• to not just the PRC, but to the countries that they're trying to influence around the world?
• . to make a united front against the PRC.
• . needless to say, and we have to defend Tibet from PRC aggression.

Keywords: committee meeting, bill discussions, nomination, David Perdue, Monica Crawley, U.S.-China relations, foreign policy

Summary: The meeting of the committee was marked by significant discussions regarding various bills, including HB22 and SB5. A notable moment was the introduction of nominees Senator David Perdue and Ms. Monica Crawley, which led to discussions on the implications of their roles, particularly in relation to U.S.-China relations and foreign policy. Members exchanged views on the nominees' qualifications, emphasizing the importance of leadership in foreign diplomacy. Additionally, the committee heard testimonies from several witnesses both supporting and opposing certain bills, showcasing the diverse perspectives present.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, there's anywhere from 9 to 15 to 18, in some cases 30 to 36 months for approval through the PRC
• Chair and Representative Duncan, I'll take this one and then I might have the PRC jump in.
• have submittals to the PRC with respect to upgrading their grid and power supply.
• I ask the Chief of Staff of the PRC to respond. Mr.
• The rest of everything else that's happening at the PRC continues as it is right now.