[{"_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",6359851,"mediaKeyId","2175597-92d92635abae3125947eaab76d9cbe89","parentId",2175597,"title","Committee signals partial support for CareerTech requests; adds TrainND and Marketplace for Kids funding","audioSeconds",267,"startMs",2669000,"endMs",2936000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175597-92d92635abae3125947eaab76d9cbe89&start=2669&end=2936","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175597-92d92635abae3125947eaab76d9cbe89/thumbnail_2669000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6359851/North-Dakota/Committee-signals-partial-support-for-CareerTech-requests-adds-TrainND-and-Marketplace-for-Kids-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359851-8d4e18b822731c091d9af1c090fbf2b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771123204&Signature=kq3ET1nTzrOyqsVFK21I~ofUy2NxPfEGaxL9y4KSxpJrgnT2OWEhAr4OYqAybJyzgjY-UX2eP~GvWF8ulHXWZTYCtaEmNeuO5FDuWRuZjPFlyedzmr9wmD7jvHc7YHS~6i735rmzOKOOxX122sIYU3nXXOzNNTpkke3396XhO7y5x0pESiC634mcW6bZ6Vt4scPPqch9h7aobfeCn6T1HVBnAww5Eb1An0iCI7WqJ9xU6I13D5lse8lgTjFGBI7qs~IbmAYB-0eMcqGord5Gor3QjHwkC-6-N7U2O6VSDg-x0DikSd8hNDUXW~wuvdalZKuNAzPecZTN-TWhkNbD~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate Appropriations - Education and Environment Division, ND","date","2025-01-30T00:00:00Z","article","Senators and budget staff reviewed the Career and Technical Education (CareerTech) long sheet and made preliminary decisions about which items to include in the division’s working budget.

Committee members said they agreed to include the agency’s $4,000,000 cost‑to‑continue request. They declined to add the full list of new programs requested (the transcript lists $22,000,000 as the agency request) but agreed to include $3,000,000 in funding for career and technical education expansion consistent with the governor’s proposal. The committee did not include the work‑based learning coordinator funding (the transcript references $1.5 million requested) in the current draft.

Members added $750,000 for TrainND (the agency requested $1.6 million additional) and $100,000 for Marketplace for Kids (the testimony requested $150,000). The committee did not add STEM ecosystems funding or several recruitment and virtual‑reality career exploration items at this time. Large capital project requests for CareerTech (totaling tens of millions as listed in the request) were deferred; the committee said capital projects will be prioritized later in the session and some items may be considered in a future biennium.

Senators emphasized fiscal restraint and noted vacancy and FTE pools that affect how new positions would be added. Budget staff said the long sheet will be updated to reflect committee decisions and that any approved FTE additions would be shown as adjustments on the face of the bill in a new section describing the vacant FTE pool.

No formal appropriation or final vote on these items was recorded in the transcript; senators characterized the discussion as a starting point for further budget work.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Appropriations - Education and Environment Division Jan 30, 2025 II","oneSentenceSummary","The Appropriations committee agreed to include several partial CareerTech funding items and deferred larger capital and new‑program requests, adding $750,000 for TrainND and $100,000 for Marketplace for Kids while holding off on expanded FTEs and major capital projects.","taxTitle","Appropriations - Education and Environment Division, Senate, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28899,"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},6359856,"Committee hears judicial branch request to prioritize IT positions and selected FTEs in budget",834,1355000,2189000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175597-92d92635abae3125947eaab76d9cbe89&start=1355&end=2189","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175597-92d92635abae3125947eaab76d9cbe89/thumbnail_1355000.jpg","/articles/6359856/North-Dakota/Committee-hears-judicial-branch-request-to-prioritize-IT-positions-and-selected-FTEs-in-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359856-5d3d20549955f1c1fcc29126919c761c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771123204&Signature=e1UbaaXfT3CtOc8nEyo~uhupjwYOCV-0Y7FDOiVPDKSEUxfN29zOuH2DlAtvJISVv5qjRbkfgNIYQx7cYFB~cJGZcRSNtFmSbGjujZ1~hKpZrXGjvQSTaCgcDyOpz0bUI4IN3UJCoNLR5C5X7GmlPJj~DCJLkHhuyPuLeAacacA6SqGW1W81d6WqecSKYYEHjbDVthZMFEE-hsPXnRMTZRffbWXrUAuE2PXQyPg3g1vHf22NGlDQZv9PA5OoW2mu4BqgXYQ7pDuaB~zYOWd0NIHDpNb5tSJiC-J1YqVqOnCOS1jK3Os51PG~1dGH9AHDzc-Yf8pXfEsJXfUq8GgVcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Thomas and other committee members reviewed a judicial branch priority list that ranks IT positions and other full‑time equivalent (FTE) requests the judicial branch says are necessary for operations.

Senator Thomas told the committee the IT column on the priority sheet was treated as the number‑one priority. He and committee members said several IT hires — including a programmer/technology coordinator, programmers, and network analysts focused on cybersecurity — were described as essential to maintain services the judicial branch relies on.

Sally Holeven, State Court Administrator, told the committee the judicial branch uses a mix of outside vendors for major products but relies on internal programming for many intermediate tools, interfaces and dashboards that connect the courts to other systems, support automatic notifications for attorneys, and produce custom reports. “These are all the little products that we need to really make things spin and work well,” she said, explaining why in‑house programmers are needed. She said those staff also write interfaces to CJIS and DOT systems and to the district court vendor’s product so internal workflows function efficiently.

Committee members asked about the current size of the judicial branch IT staff. The number was discussed on the record amid minor confusion; a figure of 13 was stated during the exchange (as read into the record). Senators Thomas and Connolly recommended the committee review the judiciary’s FTE priority list and consider funding the top IT priorities and some district‑court positions that the judiciary ranked as most important.

The committee did not adopt final appropriations or new FTEs during this hearing; members said the lists would be revisited in future meetings and that some items could be deferred to the next biennium if not critical this session.","Senators and the State Court Administrator discussed the judicial branch’s priority list, emphasizing IT positions and certain FTEs the branch describes as critical to system operations; the administrator said much software is custom and requires in-house programming and interfaces.",{"_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},6359861,"Cass County commissioner asks lawmakers to consider ways to recover county costs for court facilities",211,986000,1197000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175597-92d92635abae3125947eaab76d9cbe89&start=986&end=1197","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175597-92d92635abae3125947eaab76d9cbe89/thumbnail_986000.jpg","/articles/6359861/North-Dakota/Cass-County-commissioner-asks-lawmakers-to-consider-ways-to-recover-county-costs-for-court-facilities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359861-a1e095dc375560d7c416dd776c2b0680/orig.mp4?Expires=1771123204&Signature=PHbw45itKpWotC5DHBhVeUzg7j-1pXoBaRzN4YnYqljOhqeGCgzUK8onbXpT6JnR9ws-5pZ7fwDvlqZ8Z2ONYfuEy5Fpj7oRqlKpU4u-wcnt4EQM1k3T0uJaFMKcVLDHUEi09aOHn~6Ww1P0krS6KOtF~-fynpg4K~weVQoODqUwT2revJIqkFUoOOk0iJNvWxs4i6ijwyM7kH4thM2KTDzwCOk3VnFbc80jhgbFPCM3coXBmjmlq2VtKx1dMBBqH2~~j7XrdoXtk9E0YJO7SqFlWOtepdZ-3Z9zrO-Qk8Ecg03LrWxIAcrXovNHeP4iqo6w~IpEuwISx-gaADL3ug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tony Greenberg, chairman of the Cass County Commission, asked the Appropriations - Education and Environment Division to consider legislative options that would help counties recover costs associated with court facilities that counties currently provide to the state court system without reimbursement.

Greenberg said Cass County provides roughly 63,000 square feet to the court system and that the county has operated without reimbursement for utilities, janitorial and similar operating costs. He said the county decided to add another secure courtroom after more than a year of discussion about the taxpayers’ interests and differing judicial opinions on need; he told the committee contracts for that work would be awarded Monday and that the expense would fall to Cass County taxpayers (amount reported in testimony as “about $110,000,0.0”).

Greenberg said attempts over the past 10 to 20 years to recover courtroom operating costs have not advanced, and he asked the committee to consider a statutory or appropriation remedy that would allow counties to seek partial recovery. He said Cass County is pursuing internal efficiency measures—repurposing vacant space in the West Annex and renovating existing areas—to avoid building a new $80 million court facility, and suggested legislative action should start with counties that have eight or more courtrooms.

A committee member asked whether the county intends to seek the full cost; Greenberg replied the county would apply for a portion and is “not opposed” to other counties applying as well. The committee did not adopt any statutory change during the hearing; Greenberg’s remarks were presented for the committee’s consideration in budget and facilities policy discussions.","Tony Greenberg, chairman of the Cass County Commission, asked the legislative committee to consider measures allowing counties to recover some operating costs for space counties provide to the state court system and described county efforts to repurpose existing space.",{"_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},6359866,"State Guardian ad Litem director urges budget increase to address high turnover and caseloads",433,460000,893000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175597-92d92635abae3125947eaab76d9cbe89&start=460&end=893","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175597-92d92635abae3125947eaab76d9cbe89/thumbnail_460000.jpg","/articles/6359866/North-Dakota/State-Guardian-ad-Litem-director-urges-budget-increase-to-address-high-turnover-and-caseloads","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359866-1e09dcecc647d123566494ffd6b967f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771123204&Signature=bMDsW2gz-bRQegfD1bI2m6p2Vso3NPePwAefqJHGZv~hDABVrey42rzzz5-L0rs7ecodAlLWOR79ISs9bTm8RHy3NNHH9w6JX6XLCCb-QqfIg6cg-40g5tbsvzEZAjkXl-uR8IXbWwzSq9mHq6bcyVv-xXBzM-L2eqgQ~XR37MW6G252~U1h1AKpLQI73sI-qpp0ih8U~BJu~fcAGacSLOEfgQPaFeycAJEwMVA5EGFPDUjc94YXJOKhCNOQxZs13bhe3VdQkhwsid21FUOM9gtuyWwPm0rlLRm1WumgtNnnXlufSaadwvKpVItAL5YeHl6i-K8FXhxu0D8GaZu8cw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Barbara Oliver, director of the state Guardian ad Litem (GAL) program administered through Youth Works, told the Appropriations - Education and Environment Division committee that the program is struggling to recruit and retain advocates and that staffing shortages are reducing the time advocates can spend on individual cases.

Oliver said the program has lost 31 different guardian ad litems “from 02/2 to today” (as stated in testimony) and that 16 of those left after between one day and nine months, with an average tenure of about three months. She described North Dakota caseloads as “extremely high,” citing Minnesota’s average of 17 to 22 families per guardian ad litem for comparison and saying parts of North Dakota are running “over 30 families up to 50 families at a time.”

Oliver said the office currently has three full-time guardian ad litems and 10 part-time guardian ad litems, plus a supervisor and a director. She said the supervisor and director continue to take cases because of the high caseload, which “significantly impacts our ability to do proper supervision.”

Oliver detailed pay and expense conditions that she said affect recruitment: when she began working in the program the top hourly pay was $22.29; she said the top pay now is $27.65, and she characterized that as the only hourly pay increase in 25 years. She said full‑time workers typically earn about $25 per hour or less and that the program provides $50 per year for office supplies. Oliver said the program recently began paying $20 per month for cell phone coverage and $30 per month for Internet, and that GALs are currently expected to provide their own vehicles and basic supplies when working from home.

Asked about applicant background and qualifications, Oliver said applicants must have an associate’s degree and three years’ experience working with children, or a bachelor’s degree with less direct experience; she added that the “quality of the pool is insufficient to meet the demands of the job.”

Oliver asked the committee to consider a substantial budget increase, saying she and the supervisor have worked 60 hours a week for the last three years and that “we cannot continue to run this program the way that we have run.” She said she would answer committee questions and noted continued difficulties recruiting in the Minot area.

The committee did not vote on a specific appropriation during the session covered by the transcript; the GAL director’s remarks were presented as information for the committee’s budget deliberations.","Barbara Oliver, director of the Guardian ad Litem program administered by Youth Works, told the Appropriations - Education and Environment Division committee the program is losing volunteers and paid advocates, has far higher caseloads than neighboring states and needs a larger budget and staffing to meet demand.",{"_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},6359848,"Senator proposes state contribution for state fair security, capped building support and temporary repeal or exception to statute",92,3274000,3366000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175597-92d92635abae3125947eaab76d9cbe89&start=3274&end=3366","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175597-92d92635abae3125947eaab76d9cbe89/thumbnail_3274000.jpg","/articles/6359848/North-Dakota/Senator-proposes-state-contribution-for-state-fair-security-capped-building-support-and-temporary-repeal-or-exception-to-statute","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359848-cb93c34eb7a8a4f6842f473b6a9fc2f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771123204&Signature=HGD5jxIiEVzNNyOALtbOD3YwITDCQE-5aX~hQO0OHD~HYZfFHmOSh3oSKlF-krb4qLXl9co-16wPDS110MoBjrqkiOq3HWbGh7LwR1EbtW~LqvzpPHZOf-2U33VTo7Ym5RaAyCTssEInr7hiZqn3ImXMpXwtxKlD8DG4PfWOuVcsHZpRceHt6lurXNNUYJNqi5V9JtV~epZlPuavAaUGnq~ltlm5MvEjty85loHizCjHTYuuavXU77hcOH22HVK0XwN3hO13av8TzmpjTApQWHfI2S8OO5jUezpZcZB0XiB7DPHuV~Ymon2eZqTyPJ8QBEjXLtYPAgB4xrCkJFszNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Thomas told the Appropriations - Education and Environment Division he recommends the state pay full premiums (as previously discussed), appropriate $1,000,000 for security and contribute toward a building cost up to a stated maximum. He proposed that the state’s maximum contribution for building costs be capped at $900,000, and that the state pay up to 75 percent of that $900,000; if the project exceeds that cap, the local fair authority would need to provide additional funding.

Thomas also said the committee should include a repeal or temporary exception to \"section 4.145 dash 22.1\" in the bill language. He read the statutory language as requiring that facility operation and maintenance costs other than those resulting from natural disaster be funded by state fair association funds, and suggested either a one‑time exception or targeted language to allow a state appropriation for the current project.

The senator asked committee counsel to verify whether an exception provision would suffice instead of a full repeal; counsel said she would check and report back. Committee members discussed whether to craft an \"notwithstanding\" clause for a one‑time appropriation rather than repealing the statute entirely.

Committee members indicated they would seek clarification on whether the security items and radios qualify under the intended appropriation language and that they would move the matter forward for further consideration; no final appropriation or statutory change was adopted during the hearing.","Senator Thomas proposed funding the full insurance premiums and up to 75% of a capped building security/building appropriation — with a $900,000 cap on state support — and recommended repealing or granting a one-time exception to statutory language that requires facility operations to be funded by state fair association funds.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee signals partial support for CareerTech requests; adds TrainND and Marketplace for Kids funding

Committee hears judicial branch request to prioritize IT positions and selected FTEs in budget

Cass County commissioner asks lawmakers to consider ways to recover county costs for court facilities

State Guardian ad Litem director urges budget increase to address high turnover and caseloads

Senator proposes state contribution for state fair security, capped building support and temporary repeal or exception to statute