The House Government and Veterans Affairs committee on Wednesday approved a package of measures that included a bill clarifying state auditor access to records, a change to how major IT projects are overseen and a short extension for a serious-injury definition — while narrowly sending a new military-compatibility commission to the next step after heated discussion.

The committee gave a “do pass” recommendation as amended to Senate Bill 2251, which clarifies how the state auditor handles requests for records submitted to the auditor. The committee also approved a measure that adjusts how major information-technology projects are administered and passed a proposal to lengthen a statutory window related to serious-injury definitions for certain prosecutions.

Why it matters: The bills affect how state oversight offices interact with agencies (auditor access), how the executive branch manages large IT projects, and the statutory time frame for a serious-injury finding — all areas that touch state operations, budgets and public transparency.

Key outcomes
- Senate Bill 2251 (auditor access): Committee approved a due-pass recommendation as amended and re-referred the bill to appropriations. Vote: 13 yes, 0 no, 1 absent/other. The committee adopted an amendment restoring the stronger wording (replacing “may” with “shall”) that the state auditor and several members said was important to preserve clear authority to inspect records.

- 23-98 (military compatibility commission): After debate and a tied vote that prompted further discussion and a new motion, the committee approved a due-pass recommendation as amended. Final recorded vote: 9 yes, 5 no, 0 absent. The bill creates a military compatibility commission with local representatives, an ag-commissioner member, and optional participation by commanders or designees from nearby installations; opponents voiced concerns about duplication of existing local processes and access to military information.

- 20-49 (IT projects, major-IT oversight adjustments): Approved, recorded vote 13 yes, 0 no, 1 absent. Sponsors described the bill as updating oversight of major IT projects and reducing duplication.

- 22-33 (extension for serious-injury reporting/definition): Approved, recorded vote 11 yes, 0 no, 3 absent. The committee moved it forward on a due-pass recommendation.

What members said
- State Auditor Josh Galien warned about weakening language in the auditor bill: “When you have the word may, that really creates option ... they could point back to this and say, well, it says you may look at them,” and asked that the stronger language be restored.

- Opponents of the military-compatibility bill raised concerns about overlap with existing local efforts and access to potentially sensitive information. Representative Steiner said she would “resist this because we heard from a, retired general that there is a, military North Dakota Military Commission exists already,” arguing that the bill duplicates existing mechanisms. Representative Wolff raised concerns about whether committee members would have access to all necessary information: “I’m worried about them not being able to get the information they need to be effective.”

Next steps
- Bills approved with do-pass recommendations will be re-referred to the appropriate next committees (for example, SB 2251 was re-referred to appropriations). Several measures that drew questions about funding or legal language were held for additional technical review or for follow-up with agencies and legislative counsel.

Votes at a glance (from committee record)
- Senate Bill 2251 (auditor access): Motion — due pass as amended; mover: Representative Vetter; second: Representative Van Winkle; tally 13-0-1; re-referred to Appropriations.
- 23-98 (military compatibility commission, amended): Motion — due pass (after second motion and revote); mover on final motion: Vice Chair Satrim; second: Representative Vetter; tally 9-5-0.
- 20-49 (IT oversight changes): Motion — due pass; mover: Representative Sanders; second: Representative Veil; tally 13-0-1.
- 22-33 (extension for serious-injury reporting/definition): Motion — due pass; mover: Vice Chair Satrim; second: Representative Beo; tally 11-0-3.

Meeting context: The committee spent substantial time on several bills that required technical clarifications from legislative counsel and agency witnesses; several items were held for follow-up with finance/appropriations staff (notably bills involving lines of credit or state funding).