N.D. Senate Update - April 29, 2019

Tuesday evening, I met with the delegation from the Midwest Higher Education Compact. This Compact works with 12 states to increase productivity, access to higher education services and streamline the higher education system across the Midwest.

Work continues in all committees between the House and Senate for Conference Committee. We still have many bills to concur on. Leadership told us not to get excited about heading home on Saturday, April 27. That may indicate our work will continue in to the week of April 29.

The Ethics Committee in the Senate moved HB 1521 out of committee with several amendments. This is the House version of the Measure XIV amendment approved last November. The House is hearing SB 2148 which is the Senate version of the same measure. While quite different in scope and content, the two bills must be either merged or one defeated before the end of the session. The Senate approved the House version and we sent it back for their consideration. Thursday, the House appointed a Conference Committee for HB 1521 without voting on SB 2148.

With the approval of the Adjutant General’s budget, SB 2016, came some funding for townships. We were able to include funding for each township in non-oil producing counties for $5,000. Those funds will be distributed in June 2019 for road work costs.

HB 1287 passed. I voted against this bill that would have provided for alternate options for degree completion for individuals to teach in North Dakota. I am very proud of our North Dakota teachers and the programs of study they have completed to become the best teachers possible.

I visited with Governor Burgum and his staff about the complaints the Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division received from North Dakota citizens relating to lack of Home and Community Based Services for Medicaid recipients residing in skilled nursing facilities who prefer and who would qualify for discharge and be able to reside at home. The investigation was conducted over the course of 2 years. It was found that nursing home residents were not aware there was another option for them other than a nursing home. This complaint is similar to the lawsuit several years ago addressing issues where communities did not have services for developmentally disabled adults.

Currently the state is negotiating with the Department of Justice through the North Dakota Department of Human Services, Aging Services Division. The solution this session will be to create a position for an Olmstead coordinator through Protection and Advocacy to gather information, provide education on the issue, collect referrals and facilitate the resolution between the state and individuals with Olmstead concerns. The funding for that position is in the Protection and Advocacy budget which is in Conference Committee as of April 22.

The coming week will see finalization of all budgets and policy bills in conference committees. I hope to report next week that we have completed our work for the 66th Legislative Session.

You can reach me at [email protected] or by calling (701) 302-0355.

Have a great week!