[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6342396,"mediaKeyId","2255173-725ada5e5f6cdb44938d426c54bdcca3","parentId",2255173,"title","Insurance budget approved; committee adds reporting requirement on NDERF activity","audioSeconds",1408,"startMs",3733000,"endMs",5141000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2255173-725ada5e5f6cdb44938d426c54bdcca3&start=3733&end=5141","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2255173-725ada5e5f6cdb44938d426c54bdcca3/thumbnail_3733000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6342396/North-Dakota/Insurance-budget-approved-committee-adds-reporting-requirement-on-NDERF-activity","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6342396-990e3c1c767c661146c5f8e74b0aebf2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771033720&Signature=fDIaGZ2HvVs2jUQU-oUxBoZRzxBumCZHyJiSsxGYpfkcvs25m~Mk5K9duWgVwPDop2bXdtCJRxh2q4gsWXtrgCRYXwwz~-DDOz5pB0WRIbAAT4DjeAvm4YpVHbM1W00TecOvTmdZxZCLgAlk5eh0mV7GxgsGdXxQvyOdeNbGMAMeWEX2dUVe7r4q9~o8Zfaejlc6hhSfxeZf9BDobDxc5fFFhWoSF4HZYdxr4Gi7GkdOFfZvqaTT92jFyXkJ87z9YrjZV0h~IQO5ZAzHoLfeDjPbO8idyOFwJBO8JHZSJMj9BUitp0GpZr61m4aZFWG~p~Y4hB-iVcMPyVRyVOdKpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota State Legislature","date","2025-02-10T00:00:00Z","article","The Appropriations Committee recommended a do-pass on House Bill 1010, the insurance department budget, and adopted an amendment that adds several reporting provisions, one-time equipment purchases for the Fire Marshal and language requiring the department to accept federal grants and report to OMB and legislative council as funds become available.

Representative Meyer presented the insurance budget and said it adds funding for base payroll changes, a 3-and-3 salary/benefit adjustment, and a $90,000 one-time request from the Insurance Regulatory Trust Fund for an $80,000 portable x-ray machine and emergency radios for the Fire Marshal. The amendment also added a reporting requirement (section 6) so the department will provide a comprehensive report about NDERF activity, including claims history and other summary information, to the legislature.

Committee members raised concerns and asked questions about NDERF (the political subdivision risk pool). Representative Meyer said the director of the fund, Keith Peach, had appeared before the committee in a prior meeting. Representative Wagner and others discussed the fund's role: Wagner described NDERF as governed by political subdivisions and noted its risk-mitigation functions (training and mitigation programs) and the fund's function to hire outside counsel and pursue litigation when necessary. Committee members noted the insurance department regulates NDERF like any other insurer and that the fund is self-funded through political-subdivision premiums.

Representative Meyer moved the amendment (25.0154.001); Representative Munson seconded. The amendment was adopted. Meyer then moved House Bill 1010 as amended; the committee recommended a do-pass and the bill will proceed to the floor. Members asked for continued transparency on complaints and litigation trends; the committee discussion included a cited figure from departmental correspondence that over a 10-year period the insurance office had logged 27 complaints against NDERF out of roughly 20,000 claims.

Why it matters: The amendment adds administrative reporting and one-time equipment purchases for the Fire Marshal and formalizes a mechanism for the legislature to receive regular reports about NDERF activity, claims trends and complaints. Committee members flagged concerns about litigation costs and outside counsel usage, and requested continued oversight reporting to track claims handling and complaint trends.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Appropriations Mon, Feb 10, 2025 8:30 AM-12:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 1010, the Insurance Department budget, passed as amended; the committee inserted statutory language requiring reporting to the legislature about the North Dakota political subdivision risk fund (NDERF) activity and claims follow-up.","taxTitle","Appropriations, House of Representatives, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28310,"location","North Dakota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6342401,"Appropriations committee approves WSI budget with multi-year IT investments and building repairs",458,3178000,3636000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2255173-725ada5e5f6cdb44938d426c54bdcca3&start=3178&end=3636","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2255173-725ada5e5f6cdb44938d426c54bdcca3/thumbnail_3178000.jpg","/articles/6342401/North-Dakota/Appropriations-committee-approves-WSI-budget-with-multi-year-IT-investments-and-building-repairs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6342401-f6d593de139543d8e7c7ed5a0aba931a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771033720&Signature=MsIc~09E1~cywrYp4cJkMmvgfayqYZQCjbfD6UP2KtxyRodXN5Baf-OsZjNrO-0hIWYAHpxS0OQ0~UoqRTtE6o~XxgowPiavAGMLZE0mnPpQX6zMWLv~M23ILZEQabzyNQ-qkawtgVR7iYJyrvDsWUn3tyQQkWYkWXfT036-X~245wjfHaV9to2FcoY8Oy7AKrkE~AjmlWqywjv25GtkEFFFOyj8U~h7hY48JGFqmChCCQl0qbPgrctPG7sEh0sd~TT6Kf3IpNJayShCu7yjDlnvBfDog8gWbd9YIppeOZpX9jVnp-0A~iGj7lHv1UsbpyVykGr2nQZAQaGb39vjhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Appropriations Committee recommended a do-pass on House Bill 1021, the Workforce Safety and Insurance (WSI) budget, after Representative Hansen outlined the agency's special-fund appropriation package that includes multi-year IT investments and building upgrades.

Representative Hansen told the committee that WSI is employer-funded and receives no general fund money. The amendment includes ongoing funding of $5.2 million toward the replacement of WSI's legacy claims and policy system (\"CAPS\"), $1.3 million for a secure external self-service portal (\"myWSI\"), and $2.0 million in one-time funding for building improvements to the agency-owned facility including roof, carpet and bathrooms. Hansen said the CAPS replacement is a long-running, largely custom IT project started earlier in the decade and that much of the work has been completed with in-house staff and contractors.

Committee members asked about vendor arrangements and procurement timelines; Hansen said the project has been ongoing since 2015 and that the current request continues that multi-year effort. Representative Kempenick and others noted that front-page totals include one-time items and warned members to account for one-time versus ongoing funding when reviewing budgets.

Representative Hansen moved the amendment (25.0165.01001) and the amendment was adopted. Hansen then moved the bill as amended; the committee voted to recommend a do-pass and selected Representative Hansen to carry the bill to the floor.

Why it matters: WSI manages a large special-fund reserve and employer premiums; continuing multi-year IT investments and building upgrades will affect the agency's operations and employer premium calculations. Committee discussion emphasized the length of IT procurement and the distinction between carryover authority and new one-time requests.","House Bill 1021 — the Workforce Safety & Insurance budget — was advanced with one-time funding for claims system replacement, a self-service portal, and building improvements; the agency remains entirely special-fund financed.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6342406,"Committee advances state auditor budget, reduces local government audit positions",649,2432000,3081000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2255173-725ada5e5f6cdb44938d426c54bdcca3&start=2432&end=3081","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2255173-725ada5e5f6cdb44938d426c54bdcca3/thumbnail_2432000.jpg","/articles/6342406/North-Dakota/Committee-advances-state-auditor-budget-reduces-local-government-audit-positions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6342406-ed938789c75f40801fcb23c5205aad73/orig.mp4?Expires=1771033720&Signature=fMHMXF2LIW1JeZ2yCU5JlonZQbXD8u8WYmvdQSIg-eWZ~oipknnI5UVytyRYr2tDavAiFpGFQTlyFCsot9WbGrZM2t59CbxXdXqfWwk4~lBzkpURhB2p2uc2pqRBr-De4mVTK6qg~68WLTeJgN6znTRC49H6RdrkB10zlRjQeAWOhsu2Rauq0tWsxGFeSAuDTXJU-HC~7JOeNbfF-9tDi40dtOUJVlLuIV95MUWQdZzM7c1H~6FGygbSPdU7FXIm2TGfiWH2fSfF61YSIPG3a3oGP529WAPtKmhWZE9G8ijGaUgotcBmTObxTFxF72Erxt-5W2JePKs6PTdZJfCZYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Appropriations Committee recommended a do-pass on House Bill 1004 after Representative Pyle outlined the auditor's budget changes, which include removing five FTEs previously assigned to local-government audits, adding a federally funded mineral royalty auditor position, and one-time funding for peer review and audit-software replacement.

Representative Pyle said the five FTE removals are possible because prior legislative changes exempted very small political subdivisions (those under the statutory revenue threshold) from mandatory annual audits, shifting review expectations and reducing demand for locally focused audits. Pyle described that two transferred positions will be generally funded to provide assistance to political subdivisions and that the auditor's office will continue to perform security assessments and peer-review activity for agencies and university systems.

Pyle also described a federally funded FTE to audit mineral royalty contracts (no state funds required) and a one-time peer review cost of $25,000, plus funds to replace end-of-life electronic workpaper software (TeamMate). Committee members asked clarifying questions about billing for audit reviews, the peer-review schedule, and the timeline for implementing software changes. Representative Pyle said the peer review occurs every three years and that the agency expects to complete several ongoing IT and audit transitions.

Representative Pyle moved the amendment to House Bill 1004; Representative Meyer seconded and the amendment was adopted. Pyle then moved a do-pass recommendation on the bill as amended; the committee adopted it and selected Representative Pyle to carry the bill to the floor.

Why it matters: The budget change reduces the audit burden (and associated local costs) for very small political subdivisions, shifts some audit functions to general funds, and invests one-time funds for peer review and audit software updates that affect statewide audit capacity and oversight.","House Bill 1004, the state auditor budget, was recommended out of committee with a reduction of five local-government audit FTEs, a federally funded mineral royalty auditor position, and one-time peer review and software funding.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6342410,"Committee advances Secretary of State budget with IT and election equipment funding",1187,1261000,2448000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2255173-725ada5e5f6cdb44938d426c54bdcca3&start=1261&end=2448","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2255173-725ada5e5f6cdb44938d426c54bdcca3/thumbnail_1261000.jpg","/articles/6342410/North-Dakota/Committee-advances-Secretary-of-State-budget-with-IT-and-election-equipment-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6342410-3d40210103ec95a05ebc69641a23b806/orig.mp4?Expires=1771033720&Signature=JevYoQyW1rqw00PCvSf3SFuqDyXKyuT5qykA0NATrdluJ98R3qu2YlU80ik3STMHmwg-M6KVXno~lRjO45JC4V3ZuedXtLzTiq1ceYmFLzFAIwM5vukcBduHEDk48MNHzwIrvwnWvUN0-ksHsNcZq-B-Ikknob0QNHtyG9nGmhf3B4jT50DK6ICceuNIyIbIhnbP9BNqmB3xnI8BXjl8LFjMtJPk1R~3oAhLC0JvsahW2sGctkqUnb8AbthNvxL2gT1Ou49K-9s~kdCzurCpD6Ha85z8XDQLjQeaDwViQVTRAkLleUp0rM5-Ng19QpWumKoZpOGBps2GvTCPcgfivw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Appropriations Committee recommended a do-pass on House Bill 1002, the Secretary of State budget, after Representative Louser walked the committee through the amendment that reallocates personnel funding, adds IT support and license costs, and provides one-time funds for election equipment replacement.

Representative Louser told the committee the amendment includes restoring funding for new and vacant FTEs, moving three positions (two federal election positions and one special services) to general fund support totaling approximately $581,000, and returning two unfilled FTEs to the agency. He described several IT and election-related one-time requests, including $2.8 million for replacement poll pads (iPads used at voter check-in), federal matching for HAVA funds, and $700,000 from SIF for system upgrades.

Louser said the poll-pad replacement (\"pull pads in the cradle points\") is a one-time replacement because the devices purchased in 2016 are now 10 years old and need replacement. He also described $410,000 in licensing and maintenance increases, $170,000 for data hosting (including opt-in text messaging), and $650,000 for licensing and maintenance for election management and campaign finance upgrades.

Representative Murphy and other members asked for clarity on carryover appropriations and IT procurement timelines; Louser explained portions are carryover authority and that some projects remain in progress from earlier appropriations. Louser said the committee agreed with legislative council to shift $270,000 (plus $18,000) for publication printing back to legislative council with accompanying policy language.

Representative Louser moved the amendment to House Bill 1002; Representative Hansen seconded. The amendment was adopted. Louser then moved House Bill 1002 as amended; Representative Hansen seconded. The committee adopted the bill as amended and selected Representative Louser to carry the bill to the floor.

Why it matters: The amendment shifts personnel funding sources, secures continuing IT and election-management upgrades, and funds replacement of aging voter check-in hardware ahead of upcoming elections. Committee members flagged ongoing timelines for multi-year IT projects and the common occurrence of carryover appropriations.","The committee approved House Bill 1002 as amended, moving funding for IT rate increases, election poll-pad replacements, and several position funding shifts in the Secretary of State's budget.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6342412,"Committee backs retroactive fix to include trusts in primary residence credit",705,527000,1232000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2255173-725ada5e5f6cdb44938d426c54bdcca3&start=527&end=1232","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2255173-725ada5e5f6cdb44938d426c54bdcca3/thumbnail_527000.jpg","/articles/6342412/North-Dakota/Committee-backs-retroactive-fix-to-include-trusts-in-primary-residence-credit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6342412-3f3a5d1f2388df993d52b13edbe138b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771033720&Signature=jY1dFhl0C4vt8fmsFyqIF-9geAsXy4e4YyIVcR~If8pTqi5xPn3eLvC7NluZG66GGXQjvpyA17dkzls9gGt7MtXwrewv8AtqD~AHOo705cVWf4bzdWZKKRR8e4rjKbOWEAwChYUA1LMljvV~n8LEtJsGA68Y~HqLfsjb9NnX0V1UG1wbJIWhK7A2vfPpWtkULJDpMxGq8mjORoXVRDMlHAfwR-PkK8Z9yWxzi13yOBLDkHxvE7~~Sv0ZblNXHqheyItz3JIc1S~DXnjJMMt4KIbxMo40jImrNj2mkPnDZbE7Fj84nabp49vmbW~ZcvA9FtYl5PRN2R5P9rF-nUXHgA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Appropriations Committee voted to give a do-pass recommendation on Senate Bill 2201 after Senator Mark Weber (Senate, District 22) said the bill corrects an oversight that excluded trusts from the primary residence credit and applies retroactively for the taxable years covered.

The bill, as presented by Senator Mark Weber, would add trusts to the definition of qualifying ownership for the primary residence credit and contains both a retroactive clause and an emergency clause intended to speed implementation. Weber told the committee that \"we learned from the, tax department that there are approximately 2,500 applications were denied because of those that were, owning their homes, in trust,\" and that the tax commissioner estimated the number could reach about 4,000 once tax preparers were informed.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about related ownership forms. Representative Louser noted some constituents reported life estates rather than trusts; Weber said life estates are included in the amendment (\"Life estates is included\"). Representative Nelson and others emphasized that the underlying program is intended to apply only to primary residences and that out-of-state ownership without residency should remain excluded.

Representative Swiatek moved a do-pass recommendation on Senate Bill 2201; Representative O'Brien seconded the motion. The committee proceeded to a roll-call recommendation; the chair announced the motion carried and the bill will be carried to the floor by Representative O'Brien.

Why it matters: The amendment would make people who hold qualifying homes in trust (or in life estates, where included) eligible for a credit they were denied after the original biennial statute went into effect. The bill includes retroactive application so previously denied applicants can reapply, and an emergency clause intended to accelerate implementation once the governor signs the bill.

Implementation details and open items: Senator Weber said the tax department has identified prior applicants who were denied and that department communications to tax preparers contributed to fewer applications; he and committee members said the tax department is expected to notify affected filers after the bill is enacted. Committee members also noted that the bill does not change the program's requirement that the dwelling be a primary residence; the application process remains an opt-in process, because the tax office does not currently have systems to track residency changes automatically.","The Appropriations Committee recommended a do-pass on Senate Bill 2201, which adds trusts (and life estates) to eligibility for the primary residence property tax credit and applies the change retroactively with an emergency clause.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Insurance budget approved; committee adds reporting requirement on NDERF activity

Appropriations committee approves WSI budget with multi-year IT investments and building repairs

Committee advances state auditor budget, reduces local government audit positions

Committee advances Secretary of State budget with IT and election equipment funding

Committee backs retroactive fix to include trusts in primary residence credit