Committee forwards several appropriations and local items, defeats a number of smaller requests
Loading...
Summary
After a full docket, the committee advanced eight items (including the PSC/ITD funding request and the UND Ray Richards sale authorization) and approved a YMCA recognition resolution; several motions for small appropriations (Highway Patrol firearms, program reporting requirements) failed in close votes.
The Legislative Management Committee used its special-session authority to forward a prioritized subset of the 19 proposed items and to vote down several others.
Key outcomes included: - Approval to advance the Public Service Commission/ITD package (bill draft 25.1413) including an appropriation request for IT ADA work (sponsor cited an April 2026 compliance deadline) and authority for PSC counsel in a FERC matter; the committee forwarded it on a narrow vote (10–7). - Approval to advance Representative Sickler’s authorization to allow UND to use proceeds from the partial sale of Ray Richards Golf Course for capital and program investments tied to a multi-year DOT road project that requires about 6.5 acres of land; sponsors emphasized federal funding timing. - Advancement of the YMCA congratulatory resolution.
Defeated or not advanced items included Representative Porter’s proposed $60,000 transfer to the Highway Patrol weapons fund (motion failed), several other technical or local proposals were discussed but not forwarded given time constraints. The committee closed by hearing a budget update from Alan Knudson (projected general-fund balance ~$400M but noted downside risk from oil prices and recent tax changes).
Votes at a glance (selected): - PSC/ITD appropriation (25.1413): forwarded (committee vote: 10–7) to be considered in the special session. - Ray Richards sale authorization: forwarded (vote carried). - Highway Patrol firearms transfer (60K from motor-carrier fund): motion failed (close vote). - YMCA resolution: forwarded (unanimous consent recorded).
