[{"_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",6074720,"mediaKeyId","2983301-f9e6f7f1ae0c109bdbc7e5c21447ba76","parentId",2983301,"title","Appropriations approves larger per‑pupil increase, boosts school construction revolving fund in K‑12 funding bill","audioSeconds",804,"startMs",1621000,"endMs",2425000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2983301-f9e6f7f1ae0c109bdbc7e5c21447ba76&start=1621&end=2425","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2983301-f9e6f7f1ae0c109bdbc7e5c21447ba76/thumbnail_1621000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6074720/North-Dakota/Appropriations-approves-larger-perpupil-increase-boosts-school-construction-revolving-fund-in-K12-funding-bill","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6074720-86bccfaf8cb9a2e6f740fcf0fa1d3ef6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771025303&Signature=RO6FCwpknyEVTr9~u5Ju6aW2aH8DdY0L0U9HMe3eRE5fYjx4c7bHpFnlBZzk0O5eFe-uCfiU-pmc-E3xMy5-JgMz-DIfVW6bEqXqMLyMzxZE0WdwYVVUMXSuOvlZEZNk~5aG5~BeGpJR5GPSIcTnrVSO-0hXmwI3DgDZTQQ7pFx3x1zVNGG-WyKS6kt6H9AYaXXIwytJ4hCZysQCNP8XKm2-0lGP53A-JYA8-4y5k1VU41FJRhcdVF3tjTOuZdcZiGZ9AFCSCS88Vvvx5zezfyv7LlWghnhdg1yVpnhP0JSqeng~pB8l5QRi~kVdthHvIVMK6EmN6fRx27WFEzDCZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota Legislature","date","2025-04-14T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday approved amendments to House Bill 13‑69 increasing per‑pupil payments above the House proposal, raising school building bid thresholds, and expanding the state’s school construction revolving loan pool.

The amendment, presented by Senator Shibley, changes the house’s 2%/2% per‑pupil proposal to a higher “3 and 3” adjustment, raising the per‑pupil figure to $11,400 in the first year of the next biennium and $11,746 in the second year as presented in committee. Committee staff estimated the 3/3 change adds about $46.5 million to cost projections. The amendment also increases the amount transferred from the foundation aid stabilization fund into the school revolving low‑interest loan fund from $75 million to $100 million.

Why it matters: The committee said the larger per‑pupil increases reflect current cost pressures and are part of the biennium budget discussion. Separately, committee members added $25 million to preserve capacity for an anticipated Air Force base project that would be eligible for federal matching funds, and increased building bid thresholds to reduce mandatory bidding on smaller projects.

Key provisions and committee discussion
- Per‑pupil adjustments: Committee discussion clarified the base per‑pupil amounts and the cost of moving from a 2/2 to a 3/3 increase. Senator Shibley explained the amendment raises the current per‑pupil payment (committee cited $11,072) to $11,400 (first year) and $11,746 (second year).
- Building threshold changes: The amendment raises the capital project threshold under which schools need not solicit competitive bids; committee text moved the threshold from $200,000 to a higher threshold cited in committee as $2.5 million to reflect inflation and procurement changes.
- School construction revolving fund: The amendment increases the infusion to the school revolving low‑interest loan fund from $75 million to $100 million to preserve capacity for local projects while carving out $20 million contemplated for Air Force base projects that carry an 80/20 federal match.

Questions and reaction
Committee members asked how the changes affect the number of schools eligible for loans and whether enlarging eligible loan sizes would deplete revolving fund capacity sooner. Senate staff said increased loan caps and tiering require more initial capital to make the revolving fund self‑sustaining; one estimate in committee said the fund would likely need more capital than originally planned to sustain larger loan limits.

Votes and next steps
- Amendment 4003 (per‑pupil increase to 3/3; building thresholds; transfer to revolving loan fund): moved by Senator Shibley; seconded by Senator Sorbach. Amendment passed on roll call (committee reported passage with majority support).
- Motion for due pass as amended on House Bill 13‑69: moved by Senator Shibley; seconded. Committee recommended a due pass as amended (committee vote recorded as passage).

Ending: The committee assigned Senator Shibley as carrier to present the amended bill to the floor and noted the item would likely proceed to conference. Committee members said more detailed budget work will occur in upcoming appropriations actions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Appropriations Apr 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday amended House Bill 13‑69 to increase per‑pupil payments, raise small‑project bid thresholds, and add $25 million to preserve loan fund capacity for an Air Force base construction project, then recommended the bill for passage to the floor.","taxTitle","Appropriations, Senate, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28312,"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},6074726,"Appropriations panel funds enforcement unit for pharmacy benefit managers, sends House Bill 1584 to floor",942,590000,1532000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2983301-f9e6f7f1ae0c109bdbc7e5c21447ba76&start=590&end=1532","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2983301-f9e6f7f1ae0c109bdbc7e5c21447ba76/thumbnail_590000.jpg","/articles/6074726/North-Dakota/Appropriations-panel-funds-enforcement-unit-for-pharmacy-benefit-managers-sends-House-Bill-1584-to-floor","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6074726-c42ba9cda280ac1660fe8d22828760ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1771025303&Signature=QU-VyvpzULTLPHPGEjHK8omyaJFdOlUS8hKwOtOEgEuXyWdmkABr8wHQMMd7XAiqha-6CVbqVKTDXrXFF8U5yU2mH~t0XEksdrO56LG6SvYxh8PXXGnhtF~MdmWaKCNQhInlZ06LCFtBXKAUpyOSirlhV5DwIWlF5GDyoN9bUF7bW2XEIvjqn6iiS1lbt4REEI2fkgy4A3lNqsLn3n95xAd9u4erKyRkEJMdt64BFGJT6NktKm8vHp1GzdXDr8DDEi4t7OV8wN74f-4-6VwuRCkt5508uZBAEPBCJ76O12u9AvRk8vuWie96dYaIIEAPvHnoEWu7CRoKiwwuOWkIig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday approved amendments to House Bill 15‑84 that create a dedicated enforcement fund for pharmacy benefit manager oversight and authorized staff and spending to start enforcement work.

The amendment, moved by Senator Dwyer and seconded by Senator Wozniak, transfers the balance of the existing drug pricing fund (described in committee as about $1,700,000) into a newly created “pharmacy benefit manager enforcement fund,” caps annual spending authority from that fund at $1,200,000 and authorizes three full‑time equivalent positions — an attorney, a pharmacist and an investigator — to support enforcement. The amendment passed on a roll call and the committee then recommended a due pass as amended to the full Senate.

Why it matters: pharmacies and insurers told the committee enforcement authority was needed to address disputes over PBM contracts and drug pricing, while some senators warned the measure could create new bureaucracy without delivering consumer savings. The funding language limits the insurance commissioner’s spending to an amount approximating projected annual fee revenue and uses an existing one‑time balance to start staffing.

Bill details and fiscal approach
Committee discussion centered on two fiscal points: moving the unused drug pricing fund balance into the new enforcement fund, and setting a cap on annual spending so the new enforcement activity does not operate from an “open checkbook.” Senator Dwyer told the committee the subcommittee limited its action to funding and FTEs and left the policy provisions — such as enforcement authorities and penalties — to earlier policy committee work.

Senator Dwyer described the staffing plan as a starting point: “We authorized 3 full time equivalent positions, an attorney, pharmacist and investigator for that purpose,” he said in committee. Committee members noted the department’s uncertainty about enforcement workload and discussed whether the appropriation might require a deficiency payment later, depending on experience.

Concerns raised
Senator Davidson pressed whether new enforcement and penalties will actually enable regulators to access PBM records and crack down on market practices that pharmacies describe as restrictive. Senator Davidson said previous efforts resulted in limited disclosure from PBMs. Senator Davidson: “How do they think they're gonna be able to crack down on the practices… if we weren't ever able to do it before?” The committee pointed to the bill’s enforcement and penalty sections as the intended mechanism.

Other senators questioned whether the measure will produce consumer savings or simply add bureaucracy; one senator cited litigation in other states and warned that portions of the commercial insurance market may remain governed by self‑funded plans beyond state authority.

Votes and next steps
- Amendment 02005 (creates Pharmacy Benefit Manager Enforcement Fund; caps spending; authorizes 3 FTEs): moved by Senator Dwyer; seconded by Senator Wozniak. Motion passed (committee tally recorded as a passage of the amendment).
- Motion for due pass as amended on House Bill 15‑84: moved by Senator Dwyer. Committee recommended a due pass as amended (roll call recorded; committee vote reported 15‑1).

The committee recorded that Senator Dwyer will carry the committee amendment to the floor and arrange for Senator Barta to carry the bill as sponsor on the chamber floor if needed.

Ending: The bill as amended now proceeds to the Senate floor with the committee’s funding guardrails in place; committee members signaled continued scrutiny of the insurance department’s capacity to implement enforcement once the department gains operating experience.","The Senate Appropriations Committee amended and recommended a due-pass on House Bill 15‑84, creating a Pharmacy Benefit Manager Enforcement Fund funded by existing drug pricing monies, authorizing $1.2 million in annual spending and three full‑time positions for enforcement.",{"_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},6074706,"Appropriations adds emergency clause, sends $30M potato processing line‑of‑credit bill back to policy",190,5256000,5446000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2983301-f9e6f7f1ae0c109bdbc7e5c21447ba76&start=5256&end=5446","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2983301-f9e6f7f1ae0c109bdbc7e5c21447ba76/thumbnail_5256000.jpg","/articles/6074706/North-Dakota/Appropriations-adds-emergency-clause-sends-30M-potato-processing-lineofcredit-bill-back-to-policy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6074706-60eca7d962aa2e12591ae063c1e762cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771025303&Signature=l1ae8AVejFkUUku1x1DvlLhgk-M5fwNHnvU8A~WURuyf8eL5l6aldPV36XmYY-DhWIP4VuyWkO-Cx~v2BwlgyiLKdpULU2mDRxLugRegCrePab9TlZMEl5Spxh5She5lSuPahPJbYIym4j~-Re3wti-QDidXS3DGddMw584CgBPLnKsU-qfukXVq48r4wYU5QlKpr4XmnfCihbauCbG7uz8fI5nzQPtWArTOQvJV5I4soaWr9VqLZdASMknMfhoHNScocYHT44Nd3PhBq3-JjelEeuRDmg69XVVA-o99FwEydied8MtcfGF0KVjQ~jKQHx-q0sMkDfG8WuMT1LHrjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday approved an amendment adding an emergency clause to House Bill 13‑32 — a $30 million line‑of‑credit proposal to support a potato processing warehouse project in Grand Forks — and then recommended the bill for passage as amended.

Representative Haggard had requested that the bill be amended to include an emergency clause so the funding mechanism would take effect immediately if enacted. Committee discussion focused on procedural steps: committee members noted the bill had already been heard in policy and that the amendment simply adds the emergency clause before returning the bill to the policy committee for final action.

Votes and procedure
- Amendment (emergency clause): moved by Senator Dwyer and seconded; amendment passed (committee roll call recorded: amendment passed with majority support).
- Motion for do pass as amended on House Bill 13‑32: moved by Senator Dwyer and seconded by Senator Connolly; committee recommended do pass as amended and the bill was returned to policy (committee vote recorded as passage).

Ending: The bill with the emergency clause will return to the policy committee for its next procedural step and be carried by the designated sponsor; appropriators said the motion was primarily procedural to add the emergency clause before policy action.","The committee added an emergency clause to House Bill 13‑32, a $30 million line‑of‑credit for a potato processing warehouse project in Grand Forks, and recommended the bill do pass as amended; the bill will return to policy for further action.",{"_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},6074711,"Appropriations folds securities into insurance budget, adds attorney and salary equity funding; securities bill receives 'do not pass' recommendation",509,4323000,4832000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2983301-f9e6f7f1ae0c109bdbc7e5c21447ba76&start=4323&end=4832","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2983301-f9e6f7f1ae0c109bdbc7e5c21447ba76/thumbnail_4323000.jpg","/articles/6074711/North-Dakota/Appropriations-folds-securities-into-insurance-budget-adds-attorney-and-salary-equity-funding-securities-bill-receives-do-not-pass-recommendation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6074711-cc233e7502158ef5666d4af6b4598fdc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771025303&Signature=EtbHDuFwudHpa03RMYlKMqUz5zrPwRMkIujlyFSSf9M9j0TrCakj--7E0VgNl9XAuc6mutFLeehPYzrdvM7EeRd-EV7EJ8Hfo-ZHSHU9qrTVM7JdQ8dAL1o9eT5DNwletqfyATSoJOkHQ4NSpfLgiN7Qr6oBJIApNToXBU8qUguh969LRA~7s57zwLo8HOLpTPMbJN~lCj0mqyWGWEfBjz2cSJV7bNeZp~mVmgRQeYvtNybqnlb~8J7jDTkh2z9kQS5q~hMACaI73fiQTsYOnl3kECLdHVmw0SCwY03Pa-KcNMoSUpzW82w2ZdpN3actgUmtXOHTV3VlX3QNUvifrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Appropriations Committee voted to amend the Insurance Department’s budget to add personnel and salary equity funding and folded the Securities Department appropriation into the insurance account. Separately the committee recommended a do‑not‑pass on the standalone securities budget bill as written, reflecting that merger.

What the committee approved
Senator Sickler, presenting the insurance budget, said the panel added one attorney FTE for the office, included $350,000 in salary‑equity funding to bring selected attorneys closer to comparable state pay, added funding for overtime and accrued leave payouts for the fire marshal, and folded the existing Securities Department appropriation and its 10 FTEs into the Insurance Department budget. The subdivision kept the full securities budget amount and moved it under the insurance commissioner’s appropriation to preserve staffing and program continuity while the agencies merge.

Debate and dissent
Senator Dwyer voiced opposition to transferring the entire securities budget without identifying efficiencies first, saying the committee should require the merged office to demonstrate savings or staffing consolidation before moving all 10 positions and their funding. ‘‘I just felt like there should be some efficiencies on the front end rather than just transferring it,’’ Dwyer said, noting the newly appointed securities commissioner had limited time to implement reforms.

Votes and procedural outcome
- Insurance budget amendment (includes one attorney FTE, $350,000 salary equity funding, fire marshal overtime and folding the securities budget into insurance): amendment passed (committee vote recorded 12‑2‑2). Motion for due pass as amended on 10‑10: passed (committee vote recorded 14‑0‑2).
- Motion for do not pass on 10‑11 (standalone securities budget): moved and seconded; committee recorded a do‑not‑pass recommendation (vote recorded 14‑0‑2).

Ending: Senator Sickler will carry the amended insurance budget to the floor. The committee’s do‑not‑pass on the standalone securities bill reflects that the securities appropriation was incorporated into the insurance budget in committee action.","The Appropriations Committee amended the Insurance Department budget (10‑10) to add one attorney, salary equity dollars and funding for the fire marshal and folded the Securities Department budget into the insurance appropriation; the committee recommended due pass on 10‑10 but recorded a do‑not‑pass on the standalone securities budget (10‑11).",{"_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},6074716,"Appropriations OKs DPI budget with targeted grants, free‑meal expansion and per‑pupil funds; recommends bill to floor",1856,2432000,4288000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2983301-f9e6f7f1ae0c109bdbc7e5c21447ba76&start=2432&end=4288","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2983301-f9e6f7f1ae0c109bdbc7e5c21447ba76/thumbnail_2432000.jpg","/articles/6074716/North-Dakota/Appropriations-OKs-DPI-budget-with-targeted-grants-freemeal-expansion-and-perpupil-funds-recommends-bill-to-floor","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6074716-8d580fc26cb08499d5c2ec44995893aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771025303&Signature=hSa-PvfS1a~Py0HWcJzcF5EpZ2py9IOgg-Wuu-Q-6SK09vJ-emG-AbGtNaYK0YZjR4G67XJe~oMUpuEQgtrqDmWzdWOWvd-P1OWH7zhqaaYldc3rQ4xDnjd6TJUqD6mqsdoXDdpkbmDcYQ3St4KzWAOkVXI0a6NSljoceBCrCx2Ldubf~iLhNP~dBSE7Otgh2K0haFz9OnS5~X2ASzfHYO5RtJS1BEmGC6DwzwNCszvJXKCrN~bPXx-18yjNUBa7WkkfO6xxUgc8eSFMYkXjbPG1NFFl~v9FrDlGPefEl9MyhffBEb7Gw~2Sm4D-hy7pACrXDG5lSOZhjF0eR~CPTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday approved the Department of Public Instruction budget package with a mix of ongoing per‑pupil increases, targeted grants and one‑time investments and recommended the bill for passage.

Committee amendments reflected two linked priorities: move recurring costs to ongoing revenue sources and reserve one‑time strategic investments for targeted grants. The committee adopted staff recommendations to fund a 3%/3% per‑pupil increase in appropriations (matching the K‑12 bill amendment discussed earlier), continue several ongoing professional and rural programs, and fund a program expansion to cover free school meals up to 225% of the federal poverty level at an estimated cost of $7.3 million.

Major items highlighted in committee
- Per‑pupil funding: Committee aligned DPI funding with the 3/3 per‑pupil approach approved in the K‑12 bill discussion and transferred available stabilization and trust fund resources to partially backfill recurring costs.
- Free‑meal eligibility: Committee included a $7.3 million appropriation to expand breakfast/lunch eligibility to students at or below 225% of the federal poverty level. Staff emphasized participation depends on households completing the federal free‑and‑reduced application and that program cost estimates assume high participation.
- Targeted and ongoing grants: Committee continued funding for adult education, RISE mentoring, paraprofessional‑to‑teacher pipelines, statewide reading tools and regional educational association support (five or six REAs; the amendment set REA funding at $50,000 per year). Committee declined some House proposals (centers of excellence, larger science center grants) and reduced or held other proposals to prior levels.
- School for the blind and technology: Committee approved a second‑year FTE and funding for technology services for school for the blind programming.

Questions and process notes
Staff noted the committee moved some one‑time items to SIFT/strategic investment lines, and used carryover (turnback) funds and Common Schools Trust Fund monies to reduce general fund pressure. Senators pressed on participation barriers for free meals, the effect of per‑pupil increases on local levies and the capacity of the school revolving loan fund.

Votes and next steps
- Amendment to 10‑13 (package described above): passed on roll call (committee recorded a passage with majority support). Several senators registered opposition to specific items (for example, one senator opposed removal of a $10 million science center grant) but the amendment carried.
- Motion for due pass as amended on 10‑13: committee recommended due pass as amended (roll call recorded; committee vote reported in transcript).

Ending: The DPI package advances to the Senate floor with appropriations’ changes; the committee indicated further budget alignment will take place in the main appropriation bills.","The Appropriations Committee amended and recommended a due pass on the Department of Public Instruction budget (10‑13), funding a 3%/3% per‑pupil increase carried in the K‑12 bill, a range of ongoing grants, a $7.3 million expansion of free‑meal eligibility to 225% of poverty, regional education association support and one‑time strategic grants.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Appropriations approves larger per‑pupil increase, boosts school construction revolving fund in K‑12 funding bill

Appropriations panel funds enforcement unit for pharmacy benefit managers, sends House Bill 1584 to floor

Appropriations adds emergency clause, sends $30M potato processing line‑of‑credit bill back to policy

Appropriations folds securities into insurance budget, adds attorney and salary equity funding; securities bill receives 'do not pass' recommendation

Appropriations OKs DPI budget with targeted grants, free‑meal expansion and per‑pupil funds; recommends bill to floor