E&E committee approves amended CTE budget, sends engrossed SB 2019 with emergency move funding

The Appropriations - Education and Environment Division voted 5-0 to approve as amended the engrossed Senate Bill 2019, finalizing the Career and Technical Education (CTE) budget and adding a one-time $150,000 emergency appropriation to support a rapid office move.

The amendment (02004) and the do-pass motion were both moved by Representative Richter and seconded by Representative Hansen; the committee recorded unanimous 5-0 votes on the amendment and on the amended bill. Representative Richter told the committee, “I'm gonna be working off of Amendment 2,004.”

The amendment increases several CTE line items. Committee discussion cited a $2,500,000 federal increase on one line that contains three subparts: $4,000,000 for continuing programs, $8,000,000 for new and expanding programs, and $750,000 for a work-based learning coordinator, which Representative Richter said together total a $12,700,000 increase for that line. The amendment also carries a $100,000 increase for the Marketplace for Kids program and removes a previously included science, technology, engineering and math initiative.

On program transfers, the amendment moves the adult farm management program from Career and Technical Education to the Department of Agriculture; Representative Richter said funding for that program has already been placed in the Department of Agriculture at $1,900,000 while $1,700,000 is removed from the CTE line in this bill. Workforce training funding receives an additional $750,000 for positions and branch-office support, with locations discussed including Minot, Dickinson, Grand Forks and a Jamestown/Valley City location.

The amendment sets total general fund increases at $12,800,000, producing a total general fund appropriation for CTE of $64,000,000, according to remarks on the amendment. A virtual-reality career exploration item carried over from the Senate remains at $1,000,000 but the funding source was changed to SIF (one-time SIF funding).

Section 6 of the amendment creates a one-time, general-fund emergency appropriation of $150,000 to help the Career and Technical Education office move into newly available space on the building's 15th floor. Representative Richter and other committee members said the office move developed quickly and the $150,000 is intended as a starting estimate; the chairman noted conference committee could adjust the number once firmer costs are available. Representative Sanford suggested volunteer help could reduce moving costs, but the appropriation remains in the amendment as an emergency one-time allotment.

Levi, a staff member addressing the committee, explained the exemption language in the amendment applies to the coronavirus capital projects fund (federal ARPA funds) that were appropriated in 2021. Levi said that language “provides that CTE could continue the funding from the coronavirus capital projects fund,” and committee members noted the ARPA appropriation approved in 2021 was about $68,200,000 and expires in 2026; the exemption would allow remaining ARPA-funded construction projects to continue spending until the deadline.

Representative Richter moved adoption of the amendment and then moved a do-pass on the amended bill; both motions passed on roll call 5-0. After the vote Richter was named the carrier for the bill as it moves toward conference and possible further consideration by full appropriations.

Committee members said remaining appropriations work will concentrate on higher education and commerce budgets; no further E&E committee meetings were scheduled that afternoon, and members planned to reconvene at the chair's call if needed.