Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
This was an extremely busy week at the legislature. It started with holding session on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Special recognition was provided in the Senate by Senator Erin Oban and Senator Dick Dever. Remembering an individual who fought so hard for an end to discrimination was ironic given the fact that later in the week, SB 2303 was heard in the Senate for a vote. This bill would have ended discrimination in the workplace and in housing for all people. The bill was defeated by a vote of 20-27.
The week began with the Midkota High School students and staff visiting the legislature. I was honored to sponsor a bill authored by Midkota student, Kennedy Gjovik. She provided passionate testimony on the importance of getting information on the warning signs, available services, and awareness on teen suicide to students in grades 7-12. This bill was heard in the Senate Education Committee. It was disappointing to hear the North Dakota School Boards Association, the Council of Education Leaders, and the Small Schools Association come forward and oppose the bill, but not provide any solutions on how to address this ever-increasing crisis our young people are encountering. After the hearing I approached them and asked them if they would be willing to work with the committee to bring forward solutions they felt they could support. Hopefully this will happen. Kirsten Baesler, Superintendent of Public Instruction, appeared in support of the bill and provided data indicating this is one of the youth risk factors on the rise in our state. Thank you, Kennedy, for your work on this bill.
An interesting vote on SB 2230 occurred this week. This bill would prohibit felons from serving on school boards. The bill came out of committee with a Do Not Pass recommendation. Following great floor debate, the vote was taken, and this bill passed the Senate.
The primary seatbelt bill also had an interesting journey. The bill would make seat belts mandatory by making not wearing one a primary offense. This would mean that if you are driving and not wearing a seat belt, law enforcement can stop you and impose a fine. Currently we have a secondary seat belt law which states that if you are stopped for another infraction and you are not wearing a seat belt, you can be charged for the seat belt violation. But you cannot be stopped right now for not wearing the belt. Debate was interesting, and the vote showed a tie, 23-23, with one absent and not voting. The President of the Senate could have broken the tie, but he chose not to do that. The next day, the absent member asked for the bill to be returned for another vote. His vote enabled this bill to pass by a vote of 24-23 and onward for another hearing in the House.
The hearing was held Friday morning for SB 2315 concerning property rights/hunting opportunities. I visited that committee for about an hour to listen to testimony both in favor of and in opposition to the bill. Because of the large crowd, the hearing was held in the Brynhild Haugland room. The Agriculture Committee did not take any action on this bill yet.
Legislators received the December Revenue information from the Office of Management and Budget. December found revenues up by 52 percent over the forecast. $42 million more was realized than expected. These funds were deposited in several different accounts. None went in to the General Fund according to current statutes. The largest increase was in sales tax which was $28 million more than forecast. The next legislative forecast is expected in March. That will give legislators a more accurate picture of revenues expected for the next biennium and help in appropriating funds for agencies and programs.
I have been working on several bills with implications to D-23 including the extraction tax restoration, hopes to continue Medicaid Expansion which is so important to rural health care, education bills, and legislation to bring behavioral health care to rural areas. I was pleased to hear that the Department of Transportation has withdrawn their proposal to close additional section shops. That is a win for D-23.
Next week will also be extremely busy. I have several bills being introduced in committees. But please stop by the Capitol if you are in Bismarck. I always am excited to have constituents visit about issues. If you cannot make it to Bismarck, please email or call me.
You can contact me at [email protected] or by calling (701) 302-0355.
Have a good week.
