[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6380096,"mediaKeyId","2133259-a08edcb91f24c7fc754790991ac5f3f0","parentId",2133259,"title","Committee hears wide support, some funding concerns for 988 crisis‑hotline bill","audioSeconds",3816,"startMs",5740000,"endMs",9556000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2133259-a08edcb91f24c7fc754790991ac5f3f0&start=5740&end=9556","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2133259-a08edcb91f24c7fc754790991ac5f3f0/thumbnail_5740000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6380096/North-Dakota/Committee-hears-wide-support-some-funding-concerns-for-988-crisishotline-bill","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6380096-00d9088afe61f18e56d9fd92c99b0233/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181953&Signature=ia2h-Sc3e-WqlSUMTBsIFQ1a2R1EB1jDbsPG15jMysmJDtqR-NwUb5zuytguJlxo3DjtQDQ-czBEI~lF2nPIYs8WMezMFCNR9VBxzlFKn1xz-Bsi9u4rwNLgRTHiOffx-eXBnwviQ3dn88zun3ajFLuxKBF4nphYjezgeLHf3pSJJ16A9LXKZHVSCjIAKfsHe2uXhthfjt70rTU1Due29WqQEZ1IEkE7ZopZ1zXnQyzwpWRywCfoEZr8VqrHIbsVy~X3iWCyULZ~c1mMapqjAoEc3jzM0lArI1TpqJLLEf9Bk6z94-ANPQmm9Q~UuPRykiUm7ZeQJJyKIfq9JJJvYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate Industry and Business, ND","date","2025-01-20T00:00:00Z","article","Senate Bill 2200, a proposal to create a 988 crisis hotline program and stabilization fund funded in part by a per‑line access fee, drew extensive testimony from providers, advocates, telecom trade groups and state agencies in the Senate Industry and Business Committee hearing.

Senator Kathy Hogan (State Senator, District 21) introduced the bill and framed it as an unfunded federal designation that requires state implementation and stable funding. Hogan said 988 is the nationally designated three‑digit suicide prevention lifeline and that the state’s existing nonprofit provider, First Link, already answers both 988 and the 211 information and referral line. She and other witnesses described rising demand, particularly among youth, and said many parts of the crisis‑response system — phone answering, local mobile crisis teams and crisis stabilization beds — must be coordinated to provide an effective response.

Jennifer Illich, Executive Director of First Link, described operational needs and financial shortfalls. First Link reported 14,190 crisis contacts related to suicide in 2024 and much higher overall call volume for 211 and 988 combined. Illich said the organization needs roughly $2.8 million annually to operate a 24/7 statewide answer center at the scale required, and requested additional staff (about eight FTEs), expanded space, technology upgrades and cybersecurity support. First Link also reported that average interaction times have grown (average call ~12 minutes, text ~22 minutes, chat ~35 minutes) and that the center’s average hold time for 2024 was about 20 seconds. Illich said First Link answered roughly 92% of in‑state phone calls in 2024 but only about 50% of chat and text interactions in‑state because of staffing limits; unanswered or overflow contacts are routed to national backup centers.

Advocacy groups including Mental Health America of North Dakota and the Mental Health Advocacy Network supported the bill, noting that 988 is one leg of a crisis‑response system that also needs responders and places of care. Supporters said timely, local call answering reduces strain on police and emergency medical services and helps connect people to follow‑up care.

Neutral and opposition testimony focused on funding mechanics. CTIA, the wireless trade association, and the Broadband Association of North Dakota urged the Legislature to prefer general fund appropriations or federal funds rather than a new per‑line surcharge, citing the state’s fiscal surpluses and the cumulative tax and fee burden on wireless consumers. Carissa Swenson of the Broadband Association noted legal and technical issues with applying the fee to certain connection types and recommended a single statewide fee and clear statutory limits on how surcharge revenue may be used.

Shannon Fleisher of the Tax Department said the department can collect a surcharge with an upfront programming appropriation; she estimated that at a 25–30¢ fee and an assumption of about 400,000 lines the fee could raise roughly $1.2–1.4 million per year. Senator Hogan indicated the bill proposes a 25¢ per‑line fee and a one‑time $50,000 appropriation to the Tax Department for setup costs; proceeds would be deposited to a 988 crisis stabilization fund managed by the Department of Human Services and used to contract with First Link and other crisis services.

Committee members asked about routing, geolocation, coordination with 911/PSAPs, Minnesota contracts (First Link also answers 17 Minnesota counties under contract), and the effect of federal staffing mandates on rural facilities. First Link and other witnesses described geolocation progress by carriers, the need for local answering to reduce response times, and benefits of the 988‑to‑911 coordination.

The hearing drew substantial interactive testimony but produced no committee vote during the session; committee members requested additional materials and clarification about projected revenues, fund administration and the relationship between the proposed fee and existing state and local telecommunications surcharges.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Industry and Business Jan 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 2200 would create a 988 crisis hotline program, a stabilization fund, and authorize a telecommunications access fee to fund the statewide 988 answer and follow‑up services; providers urged the committee to fund a scaled 24/7 operation, while telecom and broadband groups urged general‑fund or federal funding instead of a new phone fee.","taxTitle","Industry and Business, Senate, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28906,"location","North Dakota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":46,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6380100,"Committee backs bill to ensure long‑term care insurance covers residents in North Dakota \"basic care\" settings",7364,2192000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2133259-a08edcb91f24c7fc754790991ac5f3f0&start=2192&end=9556","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2133259-a08edcb91f24c7fc754790991ac5f3f0/thumbnail_2192000.jpg","/articles/6380100/North-Dakota/Committee-backs-bill-to-ensure-longterm-care-insurance-covers-residents-in-North-Dakota-basic-care-settings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6380100-cd19b02c9ccee135cc7d98da7ad6e428/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181953&Signature=DD0nGLDRkZU4oL3ySIgz1y3LUndVcMZ9q3IwCNcDsmNd8FtokxKJ157Ay2xiYsx0~l5~tROwt~n9atjOfzg4fuA7Z06z7Z80RvorBwXZanmgldxfa--~XJnHZm4xG5eFkPh3G5cGn81xNaL7IFOPiL5OawJuUUJs6rFRCpNRCnPzT~xSVlS5MIb4gtApKm9BlqACjzqyvCrJl5-U9LWdh5KT5XCIyAozo8inFcJDVU5q4fn1zRZnj1NJrAl1bTla5YBUSlXLMImC7vjJdyp29KWx1uD1idcxD8-nf0dCDUyfBb5scy9JyJnvj8S517VH91lSx2YKY7STphsDtgNZ~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 2172, which clarifies how long‑term care insurance policies apply to certain North Dakota licensed facilities, received a unanimous do‑pass recommendation from the Senate Industry and Business Committee after testimony from the Insurance Department, long‑term care provider groups and industry associations.

Senator Dale Padden introduced the bill, saying it updates Century Code language to reflect modern facility types and to prevent insurers from denying claims on the basis of outdated facility descriptions such as the former generic term “nursing home.” Crystal Bartuska, Life and Health Division Director at the North Dakota Insurance Department, told the committee that the department has received numerous consumer complaints in recent years about denied claims where carriers denied benefits because of the facility licensure designation rather than the consumer’s medical need. The department described a pattern of policies sold decades ago, and changing facility types and licensure (including a unique North Dakota category called “basic care”) have created confusion and inconsistent claim results.

Bartuska said the proposed statutory language would narrow the grounds carriers may use to deny claims and would emphasize that benefit eligibility should be determined by clinical criteria — activities of daily living and cognitive impairment — rather than solely by the facility’s licensure label. She referenced a 1991 bulletin from former Insurance Commissioner Pomeroy and a 2023 reminder bulletin from Commissioner Gottfried that urged claims be evaluated based on medical need. The department has used market conduct exams to investigate carrier practices, Bartuska said.

Nikki Wagner, president of the North Dakota Long Term Care Association, described basic care as an affordable care option unique in North Dakota that serves individuals who need assistance with daily activities but do not require intensive medical oversight. Wagner said basic care helps keep individuals in their communities and can be a lower‑cost alternative to skilled nursing. She said only about 8% of basic care residents currently use long‑term care insurance to pay for care, compared with about 28% of assisted‑living residents.

Committee members raised questions about the prevalence of the claims denials, the fiscal pressures on long‑term care insurers (including historic rate‑setting issues), and the potential impacts of federal staffing mandates on rural facilities. Insurance department witnesses said some carriers have exhibited widespread problematic claim practices and the department has the authority to perform market conduct examinations. Witnesses also noted that the long‑term care market presents balancing issues: policies sold 20–30 years ago were priced for lower costs of care and many policies have seen large rate increases over time.

After testimony and questions, a motion to give Senate Bill 2172 a do‑pass recommendation passed on a roll call. Recorded aye votes included Senator Klein, Senator Kessel, Chairman Barta, Vice Chairman Boehm and Senator Engate. Committee leadership indicated they would carry the measure forward.

Supporters said the bill codifies prior regulatory guidance to ensure consumers who paid decades of premiums receive benefits when they meet policy clinical criteria, and that the measure is targeted at cases where carriers have denied claims by focusing on facility licensure rather than the insured’s functional needs.

No opposition testimony was recorded at the committee hearing.

","Senate Bill 2172, which would require insurers to evaluate long‑term care insurance claims based on clinical need rather than solely on facility licensure, was recommended for do‑pass by the Senate Industry and Business Committee following testimony from the Insurance Department and provider groups.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6380105,"Senate committee backs bill to clarify tourism as a primary‑sector industry",1040,336000,1376000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2133259-a08edcb91f24c7fc754790991ac5f3f0&start=336&end=1376","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2133259-a08edcb91f24c7fc754790991ac5f3f0/thumbnail_336000.jpg","/articles/6380105/North-Dakota/Senate-committee-backs-bill-to-clarify-tourism-as-a-primarysector-industry","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6380105-cee115af33393dd7533af74956fa66b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181953&Signature=axSSwBSKGOavdh50kGs~eXZVLYYLBeOdfi8vqZ3MZAQKuAOqq49p42kKRy~g6pdXoAidhfC1e2pxL4oomaLK4ZxvNN~c-MrpvHESNVM-eDQzGtSIXY7qroCN1ZWRviitQ~WE5GX8zkdH-EQFyLeRymsYeLqoIhbEF-kBLhBXjGL1Ma66oRDv0LyVNDU4xlaSnSlgytlUHVnQzXjEu7LedExqZara8TBttsYfYeW-Llp1XiXSy2-ZbFiZVy8wH71YfbjNyQ57Mw-2eEJylZQQAUZVntRkfI49yk9oYBaX7mDN5pe1g2Se56XK2thp08HJYROMe3Wuf7B7lk3N~ZQtXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 2154, a bill to clarify how tourism is defined in the North Dakota Century Code, received a unanimous do‑pass recommendation from the Senate Industry and Business Committee after testimony from state commerce and tourism officials.

The bill moves existing tourism language into a single, clearer location in statute and strikes a conflicting definition elsewhere so that tourism is explicitly recognized as a primary‑sector industry used by the state to determine eligibility for economic development programs. Senator Sean Cleary (State Senator, District 35) introduced the bill and asked the committee for a favorable recommendation.

The bill’s sponsor and the Department of Commerce witnesses said the change is primarily a clarification rather than an expansion of benefit access. Sarah Adi Coleman, Director of the Tourism and Marketing Division at the North Dakota Department of Commerce, testified that tourism generates new, out‑of‑state spending and that the department’s research shows tourism produced $3,300,000,000 in visitor spending in 2023 and supports more than 3,100 businesses statewide. Coleman said the proposed language would allow tourism businesses that demonstrate at least 25% of revenue originates from outside North Dakota to apply for a tourism primary‑sector designation and that applicants must report projected revenue sources and operational metrics the certification requires.

Committee members asked whether the statutory change had previously cost the state or applicants federal or private funding opportunities. Commerce staff said they were not aware of a specific denial of funding tied to the inconsistent language; the change followed an internal code review and a recommendation to remove ambiguity. Senators pressed staff on how the 25% out‑of‑state revenue requirement would be measured; witnesses said projections are commonly used for new businesses and that modern payment systems and federal data sources make tracking easier than in the past.

After the testimony and questions, the committee voted on a motion for a do‑pass recommendation. The roll call recorded aye votes from Senator Klein, Senator Kessel, Chairman Barta, Vice Chairman Boehm and Senator Engate. The committee chair indicated Senator Kessel would carry the measure to the floor.

The measure was framed by proponents as a statutory cleanup intended to remove ambiguity that could hinder tourism businesses from accessing existing state incentives; it does not change the certification process or program rules, which remain in agency procedures.

If the Senate advances the bill beyond committee, the certification process and the 25% nonresident‑revenue requirement will remain the mechanism for determining whether an applicant qualifies for tourism primary‑sector status.

No opposition testimony was recorded during the committee hearing.

","The Senate Industry and Business Committee gave a unanimous \"do pass\" recommendation to Senate Bill 2154, a statutory cleanup that explicitly places tourism in the North Dakota Century Code definition of primary‑sector business so tourism operators can access state economic development programs without ambiguity.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears wide support, some funding concerns for 988 crisis‑hotline bill

Committee backs bill to ensure long‑term care insurance covers residents in North Dakota "basic care" settings

Senate committee backs bill to clarify tourism as a primary‑sector industry