Appropriations Committee Chair and members advanced a slate of bills, approving amendments and sending measures back to policy or to the floor for further action.

The committee passed or amended a series of bills that fund agency operations, targeted grants and studies. Several amendments were adopted to clarify language, change funding levels or add emergency clauses before senators voted to give the bills a “do pass” recommendation.

The votes matter because they move spending and policy items to the next stage of consideration in the Legislature. Amendments adopted on the committee floor adjusted technical language in appropriations and changed funding levels for several programs.

On roll calls, clerks announced vote tallies after division discussion. The committee recorded several unanimous or near-unanimous outcomes and used reconsideration and further amendments on a small number of bills.

Votes at a glance

- House Bill 1017 (as amended): Motion to adopt amendment and subsequent due-pass as amended passed (vote announced as “Motion passed 15 0 1”). Clerk announced tally on final due-pass as amended as “Motion passed 15 0 1.”
- House Bill 1511: Policy bill with $50,000 appropriation for a physician/legal education video; due-pass motion passed 13-2-1.
- House Bill 1591 (county fair infrastructure grants): Amendment reduced the initial request and established matching rules and in-kind matching options; emergency clause was added; due-pass as amended passed 15-0-1.
- House Bill 1008 (Public Service Commission budget): Amendment adopting equity and professional development funding was moved and passed; committee recommended due pass (vote recorded 15-0-1).
- House Bill 1106 (state aid for public transit): Added $2,000,000 to the state aid for public transit fund; due pass motion passed 15-0-1 and will return to Transportation Committee.
- House Bill 1487 (BCI building in Minot): Committee moved a due pass; the motion passed 13-2-1 after questions about cost estimates and site selection.
- House Bill 1025 (legislative study on advanced nuclear energy): Committee approved $300,000 for a study to examine nuclear deployment and storage policy; motion passed 13-1.
- House Bill 1234 / 1022 (retirement/legacy fund and infrastructure loan assistance): The committee adopted multiple amendments addressing lump-sum deposits to the Public Employees Retirement System, use of legacy fund resources, and expanded access for the Infrastructure Revolving Loan Fund; motions for amendment and due-pass as amended carried by recorded votes.

Clerk calls and roll-call records were used for all formal actions. Several bills will go back to policy committees or to the floor as appropriate.

Ending

Committee members said they expect more appropriations work next week and announced scheduling details for future meetings and committee photos. The bulk of the day’s decisions now move into the next legislative steps, including conference or floor action where applicable.