[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6119186,"mediaKeyId","2713897-aa5b805e95b650b4aa070b766a0cfae0","parentId",2713897,"title","Senate panel advances several PERS bills: deferred compensation fees, defined‑contribution cleanup and budget items","audioSeconds",1396,"startMs",3764000,"endMs",5160000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2713897-aa5b805e95b650b4aa070b766a0cfae0&start=3764&end=5160","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2713897-aa5b805e95b650b4aa070b766a0cfae0/thumbnail_3764000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6119186/North-Dakota/Senate-panel-advances-several-PERS-bills-deferred-compensation-fees-definedcontribution-cleanup-and-budget-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6119186-534045ca58eeae5a6fdbb014963ad1f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140123&Signature=RG8jKfeyRb~iYv-ZZkPYGWeAW6SC6beoOYxoVDCZbu9mEbpanFvcI57UfcLII-KvbqJoD69AmBZBYColgX3pKzOWFG17A1j3BNoCgL9MNPza~~flvLCAxcshWA0R1o8TQVW-qG2OL2G-Qt6GrGgZKZ7oCwRYsBvE8RsEHQoq8RevPvk5aFuH22GOU9EZ7Pp68M8tMFZRiIFXHD1asa0bdT~yAtV6c8yWC71Rdvj5uZcS4TLLyIxSAedbkaGztz2wJAPFF8U-hpClrdaV3UoINjJf45jgTQrwozBb9RDXUHRrMvAe-HM5Ng8mAFPDl392Qg~VBBeaHLf3m3Pij2Ifqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota State Legislature","date","2025-03-20T00:00:00Z","article","Committee members advanced a package of bills affecting the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), including a provision to charge participant accounts in the deferred compensation (457) plan a quarterly administrative fee, a bill to change funding options for the defined‑contribution conversion, and related budget items.

Derek Holbein, Chief Operating and Financial Officer for PERS, told the division the deferred compensation bill (House Bill 11‑13) would authorize the board to charge participants to cover administrative expenses and provide a continuing appropriation. Holbein said the board recommends a flat fee of about $10 per participant per quarter, assessed only to accounts with balances of $1,000 or more, and noted the fee is intended to be transparent and predictable for participants. He said the fee is estimated to generate about $900,000 and that the board used industry guidance when recommending the $1,000 threshold.

Senators questioned the fairness of a flat fee for small accounts. Senator Davison observed the fee is proportionally higher for small balances and that the approach “really puts younger people at a disadvantage over the long term,” while Holbein responded the board considered basis‑point alternatives and industry practice favors flat fees for transparency. Holbein said the $1,000 threshold could be revisited by the board and that changes to the threshold affect the per‑participant charge.

The division moved a due‑pass recommendation on House Bill 11‑13. Roll call indicated the motion carried with present‑votes recorded in committee (see Actions).

On House Bill 11‑46, a cleanup and policy bill related to last session’s conversion to a defined‑contribution plan, Holbein described three principal elements: allowing political‑subdivision employers to opt into the defined‑contribution plan; treating 21 entities that do not receive legislative budget approval more like political subdivisions for contribution purposes; and adding legislative flexibility to accept a lump‑sum infusion instead of charging employers an actuarially determined employer contribution (ADEC). Holbein said the ADEC increase included in the current statute would be applied in 2026 unless the legislature authorizes lump‑sum transfers; he said a $90,000,000 minimum lump‑sum would avoid the automatic employer contribution increases. The committee voted to recommend due pass on 11‑46.

The division also advanced the PERS operating budget (House Bill 10‑23) and a related bill (House Bill 11‑14, insulin caps for PERS) to the full committee with due‑pass recommendations. Committee members asked for further detail on the composition of the $900,000 deferred‑comp fee projection, the share of participants with accounts under $1,000, and long‑term plans to consolidate related flex compensation programs under PERS to create future savings.

Ending: Committee chairs said staff would carry the bills to the full committee and return them to policy for further floor action; members asked PERS to return with additional detail on fee modeling and participant counts.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division Thursday, Mar 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Human Resources Appropriations Division voted to recommend due pass on multiple PERS bills, including a proposal to charge deferred compensation participants a $10 per‑quarter administrative fee for accounts over $1,000 and cleanup language related to the recent conversion to a defined‑contribution plan.","taxTitle","Appropriations - Human Resources Division, Senate, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28901,"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},6119191,"Life Skills and Transition Center urges funding for roof, staff as short-term crisis care grows",3831,5413000,9244000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2713897-aa5b805e95b650b4aa070b766a0cfae0&start=5413&end=9244","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2713897-aa5b805e95b650b4aa070b766a0cfae0/thumbnail_5413000.jpg","/articles/6119191/North-Dakota/Life-Skills-and-Transition-Center-urges-funding-for-roof-staff-as-short-term-crisis-care-grows","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6119191-12589706db1308ffa827efa6ffd5ce60/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140123&Signature=ImxVKjKjSG6GM-B~h0hxZ0iT-qu-VhFlIcGJc-aFAly-LBHTlpBQu34y5ai0I2rh752896Y4L612xOfl0maJYid3WfWca516HN1hbUoHsC~HcKDNnqtrO1jF2HKNCaRt4SytcBUhqAcuVxSobBBNBG9piPegMo5yeE456UrorobljxSjd8e0ctHeqL-9SVXeuQ~LkBBKrl8cPpCxTz8hAJ2Sw7uySjuGNT-Tq6vUVacf~YYL8jvzaKKqdUPA4nOg3EF7uaQNHUIMN-igLi3ityjLY-9UBqcGCpl74xVcStgdUzbZkB9UMhnc6F8nblaXabrjLqOgrYOWdBZNgkuusQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Heather Jenkins told the Senate Appropriations Human Resources Division that the Life Skills and Transition Center in Grafton has shifted from long-term institutional care to short-term crisis stabilization and statewide outreach, and asked lawmakers to approve a one-time roof replacement and funding to support operations.

Jenkins said LSTC operates on a $73,000,000 budget and “provides specialized care to children and adults with complex and co‑occurring disabilities who may not be adequately supported by existing community services.” She described two primary services: residential crisis stabilization in an intermediate care facility and non‑residential statewide stabilization supports including applied behavior analysis, crisis coordinators and transition planning.

The request to replace the Cedar Grove roof — a one‑time state general fund request of $712,480 — was highlighted as necessary to protect recent remodeling work and ensure continuing safe occupancy for 28 residents served in that building. Jenkins said the roof has been repeatedly patched and “temporary fixes are no longer sufficient.” Committee staff confirmed the house budget included the roof request.

Jenkins told the committee LSTC’s role has evolved: admissions increased (her slides showed a 69% increase in admissions across two 18‑month periods), but the point‑in‑time census fell to a historic low of 46 people “reflecting our success in providing short‑term crisis care while supporting transitions into the community.” She said the average length of stay dropped from 8.1 years in 2023 to about 2.4 years in the most recent period because of faster transitions.

The superintendent described two examples to illustrate services: Mason, who completed a 20‑day stabilization stay and returned successfully to a new community ICF after on‑site supports and coordination; and Sam, who used repeated short stays and statewide supports over several years and eventually moved permanently to a new community placement. Jenkins said LSTC “starts planning for transition the day someone is admitted” and follows up two weeks, one month, three months and six months after a move.

Committee members pressed Jenkins on program details and community capacity. Senator Matherne asked whether the concentration of admissions in LSTC’s home region indicated providers were again offloading difficult cases; Jenkins said many admissions are short‑term resets and that the center is trying to expand regional services so people do not have to move to Grafton. Committee members also discussed the availability of housing in Grafton for staff recruitment; Jenkins said local leaders are working on housing incentives and a few apartment projects are under development.

Jenkins reported workforce pressures: an 18.4% vacancy rate overall, high vacancies among direct support professionals and heavy reliance on contract staff and overtime. She said LSTC uses a mix of recruitment and retention strategies, on‑the‑job training and efforts to reduce mandatory overtime. The center employs a statewide applied behavior analyst (ABA) team (about 10 ABAs located in Fargo, Minot, Bismarck, Grafton and Grand Forks) and a statewide Crisis and Stabilization Coordination (CSC) team that provides onsite consultations and short‑term supports without formal licensing; Jenkins and HHS staff said they are working on funding and potential pathways to bill for some stabilization services.

Committee members asked about LSTC’s campus footprint: Jenkins said the campus includes 23 buildings (some dating to 1909) and co‑locates 11 other agencies. She said several buildings are underused and LSTC is discussing options with local partners to better utilize space. The committee also discussed rent charged to occupants on the campus and asked agency finance staff to provide lease schedules and revenue totals.

Heather Jenkins closed by outlining LSTC’s priorities for the coming biennium: strengthen community‑based crisis diversion and stabilization, expand billing options where permissible to reduce general fund reliance, pursue dual accreditation options, and continue discussions with local partners about consolidating and modernizing the campus footprint.

Ending: Committee members thanked Jenkins for the update and said they would carry LSTC budget items and capital requests to the next committee stages for further review.","Life Skills and Transition Center Superintendent Heather Jenkins told the Senate Appropriations Human Resources Division that LSTC has shifted toward short-term crisis stabilization and statewide supports, citing a historic low census, rising admissions, staffing shortages and a one-time roof replacement request of $712,480.",{"_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},6119175,"State DD Council outlines advocacy, small grants and request for added staff funded by federal appropriation",746,10847000,11593000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2713897-aa5b805e95b650b4aa070b766a0cfae0&start=10847&end=11593","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2713897-aa5b805e95b650b4aa070b766a0cfae0/thumbnail_10847000.jpg","/articles/6119175/North-Dakota/State-DD-Council-outlines-advocacy-small-grants-and-request-for-added-staff-funded-by-federal-appropriation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6119175-09614032268b02ab68a4b3fc8894cb7d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140123&Signature=IJ8guAaVAXFd7tkNadIAlSR~mxhxmENQFTEyW5NqoSnq0ry5O3LFl1POn0J~QpXGLDlntqwJB~ZCWrGuUGdDi4R2nbUL4aIlS2orqvWxGQKj3M0304z~V5RsguDaJZFI6aMIY1qDSH-Y4H-WNWvTuIvOvFVnAuRHGtYea4-fuQqdWIuhJe6bV0ayoy8XYoU4RR91dZPfFhIrKE8M~0rxf7sYUaX9oGdh81NuG1nlS4bTNyUFTUDGpsfNAvdSPI5GLfeYpyXUhYFeg-ifI51W0e4eMyOkTNXYbD-kPkO7KvuVe7NdlXd7JRuJdmdyhrBM4ssSFM8VDbw8I~sJ~UVHiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Julianne Horntevet, Executive Director of the North Dakota State Council on Developmental Disabilities, told the appropriation division the council is a federally funded entity that awards grants and contracts to test innovations and support self‑advocacy, inclusion and other goals in the council’s five‑year state plan.

Horntevet said the DD Council receives a federal “minimum allotment” that requires no state match and that council membership must include a 60% majority of people with disabilities or family members. The council funds pilot projects, research and training, and conducts outreach across the state; recent initiatives include Olmstead plan support, a peer‑to‑peer researcher study, inclusive child care pilots and housing projects such as work with the Lisonbee Center in Grand Forks.

Horntevet said the council typically funds work through grants and contracts and that its project period structure requires relatively quick spending of federal funds. She said the council is proposing additional staff (one FTE for inclusion work and a part‑time public‑policy position) to implement and scale more initiatives directly rather than relying solely on grants. The proposal increases salaries, benefits and operating costs tied to travel and outreach. Horntevet said the spending rules are use it or lose it and that the council operates on a three‑year project/liquidation cycle.

Ending: Lawmakers asked clarifying questions about carryover rules and program sustainability; Horntevet said the council has operated since the 1970s, receives annual federal appropriations and would use federal funds to cover any additional staff if approved.","The North Dakota State Council on Developmental Disabilities briefed the division on outreach, small grants and advocacy work funded by a minimal federal allotment; the council said it seeks additional staff to expand inclusion and public policy work, funded from its federal allocation.",{"_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},6119182,"Senate division backs bill letting state adjust pay rate for Senior Community Service Employment Program",462,299000,761000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2713897-aa5b805e95b650b4aa070b766a0cfae0&start=299&end=761","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2713897-aa5b805e95b650b4aa070b766a0cfae0/thumbnail_299000.jpg","/articles/6119182/North-Dakota/Senate-division-backs-bill-letting-state-adjust-pay-rate-for-Senior-Community-Service-Employment-Program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6119182-999387ad44c7bf7e1e318748dff39d76/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140123&Signature=E1mNiM71hbAD6KjVpUcCxUPdP1vgvJm6d6KDRWrgLSX7fo8MHbzBosyCnkyqcBFWt-34xwl3crlDhq92-2jKLkPux7Ka8OVGPFFXorvY7yOQxSbPOg-I4VmDYhP-1dsTgfTYJKpSdtNdQk3pSrBQM95JfJB8XnhKz-4jsYbHf8N4jh6OTWcD2Otg~kfwIu-~pF1edku3yhtCQCR-XPeeEKqqh0fPnOD8lQ3KOvCnxhi5qWhLvWtdT7848bKGQBDuzgHayy159M77CbL21aC9iGDj0UglQiJDkTJiAqVQ1igMbPBYZE5Y8iJQdHUZma3jHgbN8XdYv29iefd1bT8Naw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Human Resources Appropriations Division voted to recommend House Bill 1066, a Department of Health and Human Services request to give administrative rule authority to set the compensation rate paid to participants in the Senior Community Service Employment Program.

Eric Haas, Assistant Chief Financial Officer at the Department of Health and Human Services, told the committee the program — a job training component tied to Older Americans Act grant requirements — currently requires paying participants the state minimum wage, which in North Dakota is lower than many entry jobs. Haas said that mismatch makes it difficult to attract participants and meet federal participation targets; failing to meet those targets can trigger penalties that reduce grant funding.

Haas said the bill is intended to allow the state to set a higher hourly rate via administrative rule so it can increase participant wages across the state and “better utilize the grant.” He told senators the fiscal note assumed $213,000 in expenditures in the program but no new appropriation because the department budgets to spend all federal funds. When asked, Haas confirmed the dollars in the program are federal funds.

Senators pressed program details: whether positions are part‑time (Haas said they are generally job‑training positions and often part‑time), whether benefits are provided (no benefits are guaranteed by program funding; the program subsidizes wages and the goal is to create training opportunities leading to longer‑term employment), and how quickly a statutory change would take effect compared with a rules‑only approach. Haas said including the authority in statute would make the change effective July 1 and allow the department to set the new rate sooner than going through public notice for rules alone.

Motion and vote: Senator Davison moved a do‑pass recommendation on House Bill 1066; the motion passed in division and the bill will be carried to the full committee for further consideration.

Ending: Committee members agreed to carry the bill forward for full committee review and to coordinate with policy committee members on fiscal details.","Committee members voted to recommend that House Bill 1066 pass its next stages; the bill would allow administrative rule authority to set a higher hourly compensation for participants in the Senior Community Service Employment Program so the state can meet federal participation thresholds and avoid penalties.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate panel advances several PERS bills: deferred compensation fees, defined‑contribution cleanup and budget items

Life Skills and Transition Center urges funding for roof, staff as short-term crisis care grows

State DD Council outlines advocacy, small grants and request for added staff funded by federal appropriation

Senate division backs bill letting state adjust pay rate for Senior Community Service Employment Program