During a recent meeting of the House Appropriations - Government Operations Division, lawmakers discussed critical budget allocations for the guardianship program, highlighting a proposed increase that could significantly impact services in North Dakota. The committee is currently considering a base budget of $7.1 million, which represents a notable increase from the previous biennium.

Representative Meyer emphasized the importance of this funding, noting that it reflects a 4% increase from last year, which is a positive development for the guardianship program. However, the committee also acknowledged a budget reduction of $213,000 that had been previously removed. To maintain the proposed funding level, members agreed to reinstate this amount into the base budget.

The discussions also touched on the broader context of budget negotiations, with members awaiting decisions from the Senate regarding related funding measures. The guardianship program's budget is intertwined with other departments, including Human Services and the judicial budget, which is currently under review in the Senate.

The committee plans to follow up on the status of these discussions, particularly regarding the potential establishment of a guardianship office that would create additional full-time positions. As the budget process unfolds, the outcomes of these deliberations will be crucial for ensuring continued support for guardianship services in the state.