Senators voted to strike a section that would have appropriated $200,000 for a legislative study of maternal-care services and then voted to advance the revised study measure.

Nut graf: House Bill 14-64 evolved from an initial proposal to expand Medicaid coverage for doula services into a broader review of maternal-care access and outcomes. Universities and agency staff recommended a larger contract budget (about $500,000) for a comprehensive study; the committee chose to remove the appropriation and advance the study language without attaching state funding.

Christina Sambor, representing the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, described the original bill’s focus on certifying doulas and expanding Medicaid coverage for their services for low‑income patients. Stakeholders and university respondents recommended a broader study of maternal-care services, access to OB‑GYNs and workforce and outcomes issues; UND and NDSU estimated a study of the proposed scope could cost roughly $500,000.

Committee members debated whether to attach an appropriation. Senator Cleary moved to strike the appropriation section (mover: Senator Cleary; second: Senator Davison). The motion carried. After removing the funding line, Senator Cleary moved a do‑pass recommendation on the amended bill; the committee approved the measure and carried the amended bill forward for consideration. Committee members said they favored a study but expressed reluctance to pre‑commit a large appropriation during the appropriations hearing; some senators asked that legislative management or the universities be explicit about deliverables and scope if funding is later added.

Ending: The committee removed the appropriation language and recommended the study bill as amended. Lawmakers asked for clearer scope, deliverables and a cost estimate if the study is to be funded by an appropriation later in the process.