Transcript Highlights:

• deferred maintenance fund; identify possible funding source, including the Strategic Investment and
• I mean, we're just wondering if we need to create a new fund or just fund the deferred maintenance.
• to you on whether we want to continue to establish that new maintenance fund.
• Okay, the fifth one on the list added funding for the—excuse me here, I got a... funding for facility
• Well, funding for facility management equity increases, that was equity for custodians of $110,114.

Bills: HB1015

Keywords: Office of Management and Budget, OMB appropriation, state budget, biennial appropriation, North Dakota Century Code, state facility maintenance fund, capital improvements, Capitol building fund, governor's residence, state hospital, mental health hospital, Bank of North Dakota, line of credit, strategic investment and improvements fund, SIIF, new and vacant FTE pool, state employee pay raise, performance-based compensation, guardianship grants, community corrections

Summary: The Government Operations Division met to review proposed amendments to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) budget, with the chair noting the bill would not be voted out that day and would likely be held until the following week for any technical corrections. Members discussed a series of amendments, generally without objection: a $1.5 million appropriation for a pro-life education committee; a $40,000–$45,000 deficiency appropriation for Uniform Laws travel costs; creation of a state deferred maintenance fund with $40 million for deferred maintenance projects; adding the state hospital project to the OMB budget with $200 million from the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund (SIF) and $85 million from a line of credit, plus construction management oversight; $110,114 for custodial equity increases; $1 million for a retirement incentive pool; $3 million to cover a shortfall in the new and vacant FTE funding pool; and $4 million for space reconfiguration and rent/moving costs. Prairie Public Broadcasting was also discussed, with a suggestion to change the purpose from local programming to infrastructure and set the amount at $850,000, likely as one-time SIF funding. The committee also heard a heads-up about a possible $180,000 federal reimbursement issue tied to an education grant, but no action was taken on that item. The committee further discussed a broader amendment to reduce the transfer from the social services fund to the human services fund from $250 million to $232 million, based on DHS needs and available carryover funding. Members also agreed to add emergency clauses to the capital assets, deferred maintenance, and moving/space reconfiguration items. The chair indicated Brady could begin incorporating the discussed changes into a consolidated amendment, while noting there could still be additional items next week. Staff also reported the SIF balance was about $280 million positive, though some removed agency items, including airport grants, would need to be considered. The committee then reconsidered its earlier action on House Bill 1581 and restored it to its original form at $100,000 after hearing that the funding would support tribal tourism-related events tied to upcoming 2026 celebrations and the Theodore Roosevelt Library opening. A motion for do pass on the bill as originally introduced passed unanimously by roll call. Finally, the committee postponed action on another bill until later that day, directing that revised materials be distributed and that the item be taken up in the afternoon session.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 3713 makes an important clarification in state law regarding how we handle funding for small
• This bill does not cut any state funding.
• and helping fund it through, you know, by way of payment, then the state would have to step in to the
• They're located throughout the state.
• to move those facilities.

Bills: HB3713, HB3953, HB4055, HB4272

Keywords: telecommunications, local exchange companies, universal service fund, rate maintenance, business expansion, broadband access, internet service, multiunit residential properties, urban areas, affordability programs, fiber-optic cables, public land, construction permits, environmental impact, notification requirements, municipal projects, infrastructure, facility relocation, public right-of-way, 1184

Transcript Highlights:

• from the state, we ensure that there are other places where this funding can come from, so to make sure
• <00:45:13.160> funds thing was flexibility in the state funds thing was flexibility in the
• state funds because<00:45:15.240> uh<00:45:15.480> as<00:45:15.640> the<00:45:15.800
• staff, more funding, not less funding.
• staff, more funding, not less funding.

Bills: HF56, HF780

Keywords: HF56, Minnesota bonding bill, capital investment, state bonds, bond proceeds fund, Hutchinson Area Transportation Services, Hutchinson, McLeod County, transportation facility, vehicle storage, equipment storage, fueling facility, temperate storage, local infrastructure, public works, general obligation bonds, education finance, school funding, state aid, appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• of Title I funding in the state?
• in time, fully fund education across the state.
• It is critical that we, as a state, maximize the federal funding available, preserving as many state
• Medical Facility Infrastructure Loan Fund.
• , generation facilities, and transmission facilities that cross state lines and have to be paid for by

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 first heard House Bill 1624, the “Universal Lunch Bill,” from Rep. Mike Nathie. He argued the proposal should be placed in Century Code rather than the Constitution so future legislatures can adjust it if state finances tighten, and said the bill would start the program a year earlier with a $65 million appropriation for one school year. DPI testified that the estimate did not include nonpublic schools that do not participate, and members questioned the impact on Title I, free-and-reduced applications, private-school accountability, breakfast mandates for schools that do not currently serve breakfast, and whether the funding could come from the DPI budget or other sources. Supporters, including North Dakota United, the North Dakota Catholic Conference, a pediatrician, and the American Heart Association, said universal meals improve student health and learning, reduce family costs, and are better handled in statute than by constitutional amendment. No opposition testimony was offered, and the chair closed the hearing for later work-session action. The committee then took up House Bill 1627, introduced by Rep. Tye Dressler, which would raise the income threshold for the state-funded school lunch program from 225% to 300% of poverty, with an estimated cost of about $7 million for 2026-27. Dressler said the bill is intended as a targeted, budget-friendly alternative to the ballot measure and emphasized that the state should maximize federal meal dollars while improving participation in the current program. Members questioned whether raising the threshold would actually increase utilization, whether a dollar amount would be clearer than a percentage, and how the change would affect federal reimbursements and application rates. DPI said it could quickly calculate additional percentage levels, and the chair closed the hearing, directing DPI to prepare more numbers for the work session. Finally, the committee opened Senate Bill 2403, presented by Sen. Schiable, to create a short-term bridge-loan program for financially distressed hospitals, centered on Jacobson Memorial Hospital in Elgin. The bill would authorize up to $5 million per loan, with a $10 million appropriation available on a first-come, first-served basis, and would run only through June 30, 2027. Schiable said the hospital’s debt and operating problems threaten local health care, ambulance service, and the community’s economy, and that the proposal was designed narrowly with Bank of North Dakota review to avoid creating a broad precedent. Committee members asked whether the appropriation could be reduced and whether the bank would still apply commercial feasibility and repayment standards; Schiable said yes, the bank would still evaluate the loan and could reject it if it was not sound.

Transcript Highlights:

• We cannot supplant existing state, local, tribal, or private funding of infrastructure or services.
• We cannot supplant existing state, local, tribal, or private funding of infrastructure or services.
• Not just the funds that we have, that the state controls to spend, but the sub-award grantees have to
• Grant funds.
• Our problem has been funding. We don't have a problem with sustainable models in the state.

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:

• The Elmore facility is scheduled to be completed, I think, by the end of next year.
• the construction of about 60% of the Escambia facility.
• That's... facilities up and operational. That's kind of where we are now.
• Senator, right now the option is that we can finish the Elmore facility.
• We can do half of the Escambia facility, and that's it. How do you do half?

Bills: SB60, SB103, SB60, SB103

Keywords: prison modernization, corrections finance, bonding authority, state debt, capital improvement, Department of Corrections, Alabama Corrections Institution Finance Authority, prison construction, prison renovation, prison replacement, bed space, overcrowding, women's prison, men's prison, Escambia prison, Tutwiler, Kilby, Elmore, Staton, St. Clair Correctional Facility

Transcript Highlights:

• It is levied in the form of added local, state, and federal tax-funded resources absorbed by the resulting
• <00:09:32.959> resources state, and federal tax funded resources state, and federal tax funded
• <00:29:50.159> how<00:29:50.399> they're<00:29:50.559> funding neighboring states
• how they're funding neighboring states how they're funding their<00:29:51.120> 911<00:29:51.760
• model and what's the implications looking at other states and how they do a variety of different funding

Bills: HB0111, HB0112, HB0122

Keywords: capital construction, state funding, Wyoming, major maintenance, community colleges, task force, legislative services, budget appropriation, unexpended funds, sunset clause, healthcare, rural health, transformation program, funding, incentives, training, access, perpetuity fund, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 3, from page line 10 to 13, you're going to find that this appropriation of $200,000 is a general fund

Bills: HB0111, HB0112, HB0122

Keywords: capital construction, state funding, Wyoming, major maintenance, community colleges, task force, legislative services, budget appropriation, unexpended funds, sunset clause, healthcare, rural health, transformation program, funding, incentives, training, access, perpetuity fund, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the state. Schools are state property. the state. Schools are state property.
• Are we talking a state the word citizen. Are we talking a state citizen?
• <00:31:43.200> because state than people in the state because state than people in the state
• uh state constitution for a public use. uh state constitution for a public use.
• a lot of people into this state. a lot of people into this state.

Bills: HB0111, HB0112, HB0122

Keywords: capital construction, state funding, Wyoming, major maintenance, community colleges, task force, legislative services, budget appropriation, unexpended funds, sunset clause, healthcare, rural health, transformation program, funding, incentives, training, access, perpetuity fund, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:00:55.280> Funded<00:00:55.680> Capital House Bill 111, State Funded Capital House
• Footnote three of this bill directs that any federal funds received for the state-run veterans home facilities
• facilities be state-run veterans home facilities be deposited<00:03:24.800> into<00:03:25.120>
• > bill state funded capital construction bill state funded capital construction bill are<00:13
• <00:42:50.560> funds<00:42:51.440> uh [clears throat] excuse me state funds uh [clears

Bills: HB0111, HB0112, HB0122

Keywords: capital construction, state funding, Wyoming, major maintenance, community colleges, task force, legislative services, budget appropriation, unexpended funds, sunset clause, healthcare, rural health, transformation program, funding, incentives, training, access, perpetuity fund, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But you're actually going to create a revolving fund to put this into.
• However, when it's funded, it's kind of funded through it's just a line item directed inside the ODOT's
• Hodges fund increase to 60 million. So currently, from 60 to 670.
• The overall goal and intent is To increase funding for the roads eight-year plan.
• We're gonna put it in the way stations and ports entry revolving fund.

Bills: HB3882, HB4273, HB4280, HB4281

Keywords: transportation, revolving fund, grants, infrastructure, economic development, income tax, aerospace, higher education, tax credit, qualified employee, funding, safety, state highways, bridges, apportionment, Oklahoma, transportation funding, sales tax, road maintenance, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• The bond debt is repaid by a state road fund and highway infrastructure fund, including federal revenue
• We also have an increase in taxes and fees to support the state road fund.
• This is a source of funding specifically for state roads, not local roads.
• My understanding is that those Amounts of money go into the state road fund.
• like from the general fund, there's less pressure in the transportation sector at least to fund state

Bills: SB2

Keywords: SB 2, State Highway Project Bonds, highway funding, transportation bonds, state road fund, motor vehicle fees, vehicle registration fees, electric vehicle fee, EV surcharge, plug-in hybrid fee, weight distance tax, road construction, infrastructure financing, Department of Transportation, State Transportation Commission, bonding authority, county road funds, municipal road funds, transportation improvement program, state highways

Transcript Highlights:

• for state funding. for state funding. Thank<00:18:09.919> you,<00:18:10.160> Mayor.
• Combining local, state, and federal funding is the current next critical step.
• Combining local, state, and federal<00:48:03.280> funding<00:48:03.599> is<00:48:03.760
• We are seeking 11 million<01:13:05.199> in<01:13:05.520> state<01:13:05.760> funding
• to construct a million in state funding to construct a 27,000<01:13:08.320> square<01:13:08.480

Bills: HF1569, HF460, HF850, HF707, HF798, HF852, HF366, HF365, HF836, HF866, HF885, HF959, HF1196, HF1788, HF1349, HF2272, HF2652, HF1251, HF607

Keywords: transportation, bond issuance, capital investment, infrastructure, road improvements, HF460, Sibley County, Highway 21, County State-Aid Highway, bonding bill, state bonds, bond proceeds fund, transportation grant, infrastructure improvements, sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, stormwater, public works, local infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• They will treat them here in facilities and they will build their own state network.
• The bill appropriates $500,000 from the state general fund in FY 2027 to the fraud fund, transfers fraud
• The bill appropriates $500,000 from the state general fund in FY 2027 to the fraud fund, transfers fraud
• roads with state general fund money since I've been here, with very large amounts.
• We have been funding roads throughout the state with general fund revenue, which the electric car owners

Bills: SB1072, SB1111, SB1114, SB1116, SB1122, SB1179, SB1250, SB1308, SB1455, SB1456, SB1457, SB1487, SB1547, SB1549, SB1551, SB1552

Keywords: reimbursement rates, intellectual disabilities, community services, economic security, funding appropriations, automated license plate readers, law enforcement, privacy, data access, public records, behavioral health, patient brokering, appropriation, state funds, Maricopa County, claims review, medical necessity, American Indian health program, healthcare regulations, healthcare

Summary: The committee first approved the February 3, 2026 minutes and reordered the agenda to accommodate sponsors and speakers. SB 1114, which would appropriate $1 million to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office to investigate behavioral health patient brokering statewide, was presented as a response to Medicaid fraud and exploitation of vulnerable Native American patients. After brief questions about why Maricopa County would handle statewide oversight, the bill received a do pass recommendation on a 9-0 vote with one member not voting. The committee then took up SB 1111, as amended by a strike-everything amendment regulating automated license plate readers. The amendment limited use to specified law enforcement purposes, required verification of alerts when feasible, imposed data-retention and handling responsibilities on agencies, and created a misdemeanor penalty for unauthorized release of data. Supporters from Phoenix, Tempe, Prescott Valley, the Arizona Chiefs of Police, and the Arizona Sheriffs’ Association argued the bill provides needed statewide guardrails while preserving a valuable investigative tool for missing persons, stolen vehicles, and serious crimes. Opponents from the ACLU, Institute for Justice, and private citizens raised privacy and Fourth Amendment concerns, warning about dragnet surveillance, unclear terms like “legitimate” law enforcement purposes, lack of public access to records, and the risk of misuse for immigration or abortion-related tracking. The committee adopted the amendment and then gave SB 1111 as amended a do pass recommendation on a 7-2 vote, with one not voting. Next, SB 1116, as amended, was approved. The bill requires appeals or adverse determinations on behavioral health claims under AHCCCS fee-for-service to be reviewed by someone with relevant clinical experience, and the amendment broadened the requirement to include medical-necessity denials and specified at least two years of similar clinical experience. Senator Werner said the measure was intended to curb inappropriate denials and improve payment for behavioral health providers serving Native communities. Access was neutral but said the bill’s terms were too broad and could require additional staff; the committee nonetheless adopted the amendment and passed the bill 10-0. Finally, SB 1122, as amended, was approved 10-0. The bill bars AHCCCS from requiring prior authorization for behavioral health services under the American Indian Health Plan, while the amendment prohibited 100% prepayment review and adjusted the corrective-action language. Senator Werner and provider representatives said the measure was needed because providers were being delayed or denied payment, contributing to closures, workforce shortages, and patient brokering. The committee then began hearing SB 1072, a major appropriation to increase reimbursement rates for home- and community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with testimony focused on severe caregiver shortages, overtime costs, and unassigned service authorizations.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the OPRAS would remain fully funded at 2% of the employees go back, which is the point of the bill
• So as Representative, is there any particular area or group of state employees that you think this will
• Members, 1378 Olympic Fund. Yield to questions. Are there any questions?
• Just combine several existing sales tax exemptions for aircraft maintenance and manufacturing facilities

Bills: SB44, SB134, SB1378, SB1400, SB1403, SB1832, SB2018, SB2143

Keywords: sales tax exemption, nonprofit organizations, contractors, charitable purposes, state law, retirement, public employees, reemployment, benefit adjustment, Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, Olympics, funding, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, local businesses, revolving fund, event hosting, sales tax, tax exemption, tax refund, Oklahoma Sales Tax Code

Transcript Highlights:

• And this $1.5 billion bonding authority is for state road funds or the highway infrastructure fund bonds
• The bond debt is repaid by our state road fund and highway infrastructure fund, including federal revenue
• This is a source of funding specifically for state roads, not local roads.
• Standing as those amounts of money go into the state road fund.
• With the vehicle registration, those funds are distributed between the State Road Fund and County Government

Bills: SB2

Keywords: SB 2, State Highway Project Bonds, highway funding, transportation bonds, state road fund, motor vehicle fees, vehicle registration fees, electric vehicle fee, EV surcharge, plug-in hybrid fee, weight distance tax, road construction, infrastructure financing, Department of Transportation, State Transportation Commission, bonding authority, county road funds, municipal road funds, transportation improvement program, state highways

Transcript Highlights:

• Of the state general fund for ECCD.
• Secretary, can you tell me when we first started funding early Childhood in the state of New Mexico?
• in our state.
• So it's almost like an early head start version of a state funded. Okay, thank you. Thank you, Mr.
• We can't continue to fund this through growth funds.

Bills: SB2

Keywords: SB 2, State Highway Project Bonds, highway funding, transportation bonds, state road fund, motor vehicle fees, vehicle registration fees, electric vehicle fee, EV surcharge, plug-in hybrid fee, weight distance tax, road construction, infrastructure financing, Department of Transportation, State Transportation Commission, bonding authority, county road funds, municipal road funds, transportation improvement program, state highways

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, we extended the plugging fund sunset to 2031.
• So I see properties like that all across the state.
• So this credit is proven useful and closing the skills gap in the state by attracting out-of-state talent
• After COVID, there are so many ways that you can live outside the state and work in the state effectively
• facilities and aircraft and aircraft parts.

Bills: SB1280, SB1392, SB1393, SB1395, SB1400, SB1405, SB1832, SB1839, SB1989, SB2001, SB2143

Keywords: excise tax, oil tax, natural gas tax, state revenue, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, income tax, tax credit, aerospace sector, employment, economic development, adaptive reuse, affordable housing, urban renewal, economic impact, program, housing, revitalization, urban development, income tax credit, manufacturing

Transcript Highlights:

• state support.
• This is because programs that primarily fund supportive housing units in the state, like housing support
• That's why I'm asking you today to support this bill to fill the state funding gap for family supportive
• We are coming to you this year, really trying to illustrate how much funding is needed across our state
• Adding Avivo Villages to the list of facilities approved to receive supplemental housing service funding

Bills: HF2115, HF2276, HF1644, HF99, HF2068, HF2707, HF2704, HF2406, HF1674, HF1579

Keywords: human services, aging services, disability services, behavioral health, long-term care, nursing home, nursing facility, assisted living, waiver services, medical assistance, Medicaid, case mix reimbursement, PDPM, RUG, direct care and treatment, developmental disabilities, day services, positive support, guardian, conservator

Transcript Highlights:

• That's why I'm asking you today to support this bill to fill the state funding gap for family supportive
• <00:41:04.160> funding<00:41:04.560> gap fill this to fill the state funding gap fill
• this to fill the state funding gap for<00:41:05.520> family<00:41:05.920> supportive<00
• It's all over the state helping people uh live in community. million a year and the available funding
• And we are just one of the many Safe Harbor-funded grantees across the state.

Bills: HF2115, HF2276, HF1644, HF99, HF2068, HF2707, HF2704, HF2406, HF1674, HF1579

Keywords: human services, aging services, disability services, behavioral health, long-term care, nursing home, nursing facility, assisted living, waiver services, medical assistance, Medicaid, case mix reimbursement, PDPM, RUG, direct care and treatment, developmental disabilities, day services, positive support, guardian, conservator