[{"_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",6272755,"mediaKeyId","3026165-8c9a5ecd13ff6d54b8dd1acc3ab86df2","parentId",3026165,"title","Senate approves pharmacy benefit manager enforcement bill and creates enforcement fund","audioSeconds",866,"startMs",3753000,"endMs",4619000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3026165-8c9a5ecd13ff6d54b8dd1acc3ab86df2&start=3753&end=4619","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3026165-8c9a5ecd13ff6d54b8dd1acc3ab86df2/thumbnail_3753000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6272755/North-Dakota/Senate-approves-pharmacy-benefit-manager-enforcement-bill-and-creates-enforcement-fund","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272755-d35b895ed63e6cc60816bf7e69cec6be/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164548&Signature=oIPbrNJ5phMo7oT6hD7-h8EfxqfaEt3Uu26K22jTNTbsGEu3-PCYBmE~9kz66NzeHvsjCbYkPvh95K-IG9WalU4YkeY~QnBGPc2oHeerD9B5fSoEafMAJadWrl2E4LFG8RcsgbkXNWIIWqZRtXDA~D8I~TsVj6WpkHvawGgJS94bf058TkDOJTLv0b8ncX6iddIUZSfHN2bOfDJiz9mtTdCTZVoxpj3NDX504dDYJPKTLI15cKi3EwFyPlZ7Bzz-J1B4AWOdTTO-jPsoifIbU4c78Mo0BETI1ePMBn976HcOTGtKbR~oYLKl7wZ1f3wLpKTl3pfLexR-BhlYJAGyDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota State Legislature","date","2025-04-16T00:00:00Z","article","MADAM PRESIDENT — The Senate passed House Bill 15‑84, a measure aimed at clarifying pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) regulation, establishing an enforcement fund and providing initial funding and staff authority for enforcement.

The bill incorporates earlier PBM reforms, updates definitions to capture rebate aggregators and certain integrated market actors, requires signed pharmacy‑PBM contracts rather than automatic ‘‘silent’’ consent, and sets a licensing and enforcement pathway under the Insurance Commissioner’s office. It also removes language that had unintentionally pulled ERISA self‑funded plans into state regulation.

Senator Dan Dwyer explained the Appropriations Committee’s amendments: rather than the open‑ended hiring originally proposed by policy, the committee directed that fees currently in the drug pricing fund (about $1.7 million) be moved into a new Pharmacy Benefit Manager Enforcement Fund and authorized up to $1.2 million in spending for the next biennium and the hiring of three FTEs (an attorney, a pharmacist and an investigator). The committee also specified the process if the Insurance Commissioner needs additional resources.

Senator Jason Barta, who carried the bill in industry and business, described PBMs as formerly claim processors that have become vertically integrated, opaque and dominant in the market and said the bill provides enforcement authority and transparency tools such as rebate reporting.

On final passage the Senate recorded 42 ayes, 5 nays and the bill passed with the emergency clause; the fiscal note indicates about $1,100,000 in impact.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Floor Session Wednesday, Apr 16, 2025 12:27 PM - 2:53 PM","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 15‑84, which tightens PBM oversight, creates a PBM enforcement fund and authorizes limited appropriations for initial enforcement staffing, passed the Senate 42‑5 with the emergency clause. Appropriations committee amendments limit initial spending to $1.2 million and three FTEs; a separate fund consolidates existing drug pricing fees.","taxTitle","Senate, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28311,"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},6272760,"Senate approves insurance department budget and merges securities division into the department",298,3481000,3779000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3026165-8c9a5ecd13ff6d54b8dd1acc3ab86df2&start=3481&end=3779","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3026165-8c9a5ecd13ff6d54b8dd1acc3ab86df2/thumbnail_3481000.jpg","/articles/6272760/North-Dakota/Senate-approves-insurance-department-budget-and-merges-securities-division-into-the-department","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272760-e676c87bfadf80e78b0b938610458c68/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164548&Signature=ZH2fD~3RIflpGIejqra1M992qeCZStPyedncTeP3kgwQZvss9FFPsxooVqkyt-YF4VVYrpFBRu8bKt6Ad1U9uNksaqw6Wa~AaUOt-UoaGUhAnRt5ZDJ8ut39AMWN7En-ZDxoficMH9RDUqay0by0t2uIk8tmkxkd20g8rp9EiBPBBnMssFUMIfPVxexBiQQszv5~T8xtB92sFg2ltKFCvLGQbwU0NxaF8XQj~E1KFjugZt3DYNYNHkpLLhUFBvBLgEX6ah93UjeWHk1y9SUPJ3jkVx0Eyp7tPsv1FJwNw90z3eCr5YscK89OozAwZwVg3JehlIA9jAWV8ofTdlKpzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","MADAM PRESIDENT — The Senate gave final passage to House Bill 10‑10, the appropriation bill for the Insurance Department, which incorporates the securities division into the department and includes fee adjustments to support regulatory work.

Senator Keith Sickler, carrying the measure, reminded senators that the Insurance Department is 100% fee funded and that the securities division — with 10 FTEs — was moving into the insurance budget following legislation to merge the two entities. The bill adds one attorney FTE and targeted salary equity funding for staff attorneys and fire marshal personnel, a onetime overtime appropriation for the fire marshal, and a one‑time accrual payment for paid leave.

The bill also changes securities registration fees; the committee estimated the adjustment would raise nearly $3.9 million in general fund revenue. The Appropriations Committee recommended the amendments unanimously.

On final passage the Senate recorded 47 ayes, 0 nays; the bill was passed.","House Bill 10‑10 passed the Senate unanimously, authorizing the transfer of the securities division into the Insurance Department, adding staff and fee changes to fund oversight, and increasing certain staff salary allocations; final passage was 47‑0.",{"_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},6272765,"Senate approves Department of Public Instruction budget with targeted changes",967,2063000,3030000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3026165-8c9a5ecd13ff6d54b8dd1acc3ab86df2&start=2063&end=3030","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3026165-8c9a5ecd13ff6d54b8dd1acc3ab86df2/thumbnail_2063000.jpg","/articles/6272765/North-Dakota/Senate-approves-Department-of-Public-Instruction-budget-with-targeted-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272765-0bd039cb70dc188b36d1beac7dbeadc8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164548&Signature=cB6uVUoG8l9Xb9R0ln0yjVnDv-P8M~EvRUyrGga1-IuCVt5x51Ks24ImuYeV9RqhjjxMQyMm3hHplg2W8YPHaDLH4PQMUn2Pha97gfWwZEmgxq3-2QyH0GpbDM09PzlAymbPXwKGV5sGUHRlm-it4ApoRrvTCkaVtdMP3OFvzqyGMOY7E9RZcKNHfppp1eMeJHogDVz3PkmBwim9OVnipGsm7aebEGMDERSibo11hoQhk0uptmfd-ntnmXRyDYE9RZ9Vp8hUD5jkA40RNPfV9FhYkReBrO1SXyxXVcW3sT08eUBhbTzW9QdZUCEaY2BPe1VKOMfvBfhfi6jSrkP14Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","MADAM PRESIDENT — The Senate approved Senate amendments to House Bill 10‑13, the appropriation bill for the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), after an extended floor explanation of staffing, grants and footnote changes.

Senator Jason Scheibley, carrying the bill for the Senate, reviewed a range of line‑item decisions: modest FTE increases for the center for distance education and residential schools, a technology FTE for vision services in year two, continuation and one‑time grants for literacy, dyslexia awareness training, teacher recruitment and Native American curriculum updates, and adjustments to the formula funding mix using foundation aid stabilization and carryover funds.

Scheibley also explained footnotes that direct one‑time funding to stabilization and reserve sources, and a reallocation of $5.7 million in PowerSchool licensing to a new IT system line. He said ongoing pass‑through grants and certain pilot projects were reduced or not included based on committee review.

Questions on Waterford pre‑K, PowerSchool, and program details were raised from the floor; committee members answered that Waterford was handled in Human Services this session and that $5.7 million was reappropriated for the new student information system.

The Senate adopted the proposed amendments and, on final passage, recorded 45 ayes, 2 nays; the bill passed.","The Senate adopted amendments to the Department of Public Instruction budget bill (House Bill 10‑13), approving staffing and program funding adjustments including tech and vision FTEs, reading supports, free‑and‑reduced lunch changes and a reallocation of PowerSchool licensing funds; the bill passed 45‑2 on final passage.",{"_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},6272770,"Senate approves higher per‑pupil aid, expands low‑interest school loan fund",687,1352000,2039000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3026165-8c9a5ecd13ff6d54b8dd1acc3ab86df2&start=1352&end=2039","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3026165-8c9a5ecd13ff6d54b8dd1acc3ab86df2/thumbnail_1352000.jpg","/articles/6272770/North-Dakota/Senate-approves-higher-perpupil-aid-expands-lowinterest-school-loan-fund","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272770-2ef46ec6645dbd4c2ec3bfc1442ceca9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164548&Signature=F0Swa8bk~9pfIFy-Lf4I3P-FgFy~1OrFr1wDWWIltANrXa3vYAT2Gd6YWoNJfXPyevcrZczREopCZJm6ktOt7bOehKW-faBGffUItCZdomK5kUGC1D4glKwN0IbYKYNu7-qKUYFLoadO66ADtm5qu~Rmjoorq7aYsWVjtcyGmQunLFBGGEHzr~k0iYMOKcnWeoT3aSZbrPOZ7MM6wnkvbNriGf9AezNu5WG-8FTg4HgKMUQmDJzp7DcVcrEAbuKhcmRWqJmbdx3l0U2cvyeJqDelIGSY0FcyTSvWwZwVlPfVEbqAmxitrVoLEgNyaKv6KwHfm-aEelbnN-VhDCCt-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","MADAM PRESIDENT — The North Dakota Senate approved changes to K‑12 funding under House Bill 13‑69, increasing per‑pupil payments and adding money to a low‑interest loan fund to accommodate school construction and potential military base matching grants.

The bill’s sponsor, Senator Zac Scheible, described the two principal Senate amendments: moving from a 2%–2% per‑pupil increase to a 3%–3% increase in each year of the biennium, and increasing a transfer from the Foundation Aid Stabilization Fund to the low‑interest revolving loan fund from $75 million to $100 million.

Scheible said the loan‑fund increase was intended to prevent regular school applicants from being crowded out if federal matching grants to nearby Air Force bases materialize, noting projections that additional construction needs could otherwise create competition for limited loan dollars. He told senators the 3% shift would raise per‑pupil payments from about $11,072 to roughly $11,400 in year one and to $11,746 in year two; the committee placed a fiscal note on the bill of approximately $238 million.

Senator Eric Gearhart highlighted section 2, which addresses placements of students with disabilities in public or private facilities and ensures funding follows the student where appropriate. Senator Mary Axman, who explained the change, said the amendment partly reverts responsibility for placement approval back to the Department of Public Instruction while retaining coordination with the Department of Human Services.

The Senate adopted the proposed amendments and, on final passage, recorded 44 ayes, 3 nays and 0 absent; the bill passed.

Notes: The engrossed bill would amend Sections 15‑48 and 57 of the North Dakota Century Code and carries a fiscal note of approximately $238,000,000.","The Senate approved Senate amendments to House Bill 1369, increasing the per‑pupil aid adjustment to 3% each year of the biennium and raising a transfer to the low‑interest revolving school loan fund from $75 million to $100 million; the bill passed on final passage with a 44–3 vote and carries a fiscal note of $238 million.",{"_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},6272775,"Senate rejects bill limiting Attorney General control over special assistant designations",689,642000,1331000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3026165-8c9a5ecd13ff6d54b8dd1acc3ab86df2&start=642&end=1331","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3026165-8c9a5ecd13ff6d54b8dd1acc3ab86df2/thumbnail_642000.jpg","/articles/6272775/North-Dakota/Senate-rejects-bill-limiting-Attorney-General-control-over-special-assistant-designations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272775-c478fb945f9885a8f155c68f16a1dc3a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771164548&Signature=Yzpw2x43Bzl2Ju4WnnqZnGNF8yvQRhSu5oxj-S7BP1U8vyteMjMQuEzoQF-4yieYymTx7Efs0vGJxAod2RfviBhs3uIr6UOVkGs354zMu9ImvRt3vxfBiqI7zToGAD70li0--4ALSAdcdRkuGAzODSMKZtXtJzLXW6nF3FwR1NiZvG3li36xNSZ-Jj1Zh3vuqneEtddhRYgisZbkb0Lz21kTGtNvCW7XcH3j65Qw3XSACrW2R1eG32zAXEuaKlWhwQT5HVGIq6TBAchqmTGzgjy-ei6fGilT5KkEJLfKh--OZ-8q1kHcr9kZAUllZc455Aa307wYTpynv8I9v61TDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","MADAM PRESIDENT — The North Dakota Senate voted down House Bill 1601 on final passage after extended debate about whether the attorney general should retain exclusive control over special assistant attorney general (SAAG) designations.

Supporters said the bill would create a firewall so independent constitutional offices could secure outside counsel without fear of political interference. Opponents said the existing structure aligns responsibility with ultimate legal responsibility and that no abuse had been shown to justify the change.

The bill’s sponsor, Senator Cody Brownberger, told the chamber the measure would ‘‘create a area so that there’s independence with the auditor’s office, the ethics commission, so that they don’t feel like the lawyers that are with those divisions are serving two masters.’’

Senator Tom Deaver, an opponent, argued the current 30‑year practice gives the attorney general aligned authority and responsibility \"located within the office of the attorney general\" and warned against making a change without evidence of abuse. Senator Keith Sickler and Senator Dan Dwyer likewise urged rejection, citing existing ethical rules for attorneys and concerns this bill was a \"solution looking for a problem.\"

The Senate adopted a proposed amendment to clarify the measure’s language but, on final passage, recorded 9 ayes, 37 nays and 1 absent; the bill failed.

The vote leaves current practice unchanged: special assistant designations remain subject to the attorney general’s approval and revocation under existing state law.

Notes: The engrossed bill would have amended Section 54‑12‑08 of the North Dakota Century Code relating to special assistant attorneys general. The Senate recorded the final tally as 9 ayes, 37 nays, 1 absent; the bill was lost.","After hours of debate, the North Dakota Senate voted down House Bill 1601, which would have prevented the attorney general from refusing or revoking special assistant attorney general designations for certain constitutional offices including the Ethics Commission and the State Auditor.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate approves pharmacy benefit manager enforcement bill and creates enforcement fund

Senate approves insurance department budget and merges securities division into the department

Senate approves Department of Public Instruction budget with targeted changes

Senate approves higher per‑pupil aid, expands low‑interest school loan fund

Senate rejects bill limiting Attorney General control over special assistant designations