N.D. Senate Update: January 18, 2021

I am pleased to be back presenting a weekly legislative report for all of you in D-23 and across the state. I will again be serving as Senate Minority Leader for the biennium. In addition, I will also be serving full time in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The 67th Legislative Session began January 5 with addresses by Mark Fox, MHA Chairman, Chief Justice Jon Jensen, and Governor Doug Burgum.

Mark Fox, Chairman of MHA, provided an update on the current status of programs relating to all five tribal nations in North Dakota.

Chief Justice Jon Jensen provided an informative look at the North Dakota Judicial system, including highlights of positive outcomes currently happening as well as needs for the next biennium.

Governor Burgum presented the State of the State address with emphasis on accomplishments as well as an analysis of expectations for the next biennium.

Wednesday through Friday were committee hearings with work on bills that were pre-filed by December 18. Several of those bills originated from Interim Committee work. As of 1-08-21 there were 157 bills and two resolutions introduced in the Senate and 168 bills and four resolutions in the House.

In Senate Appropriations we heard several agency bills. We will hear 25 agency budgets in the first half of the session. I will be appointed to serve on the subcommittee and conference committee on about a third of these. The bills heard this week that I will serve on for additional work include the Judicial Branch budget, Career and Technical Education, and Information Technology.

While there is concern over decreased revenues, the possibility of pass an infrastructure bonding bill is encouraging as there will most likely be three different versions introduced. The governor spoke of an infrastructure bonding bill in December during his presentation of his proposed budget. My Minority Caucus is joining the House Minority Caucus with our version of a bonding bill, and the Majority party has their version of a bonding bill. I believe with collaboration and compromise, North Dakota will benefit from a plan to utilize low-interest money for infrastructure, thus leaving revenues for programs and funding where bonding is not possible. I will have plenty to write about this as the session moves along. Our bonding bill is the largest of the three with a total of $2 billion addressing needs in several areas of infrastructure. More to come on infrastructure bonding as it evolves.

We have entered a different era in the legislature with the opportunity for legislators to participate virtually in committee work as well as the floor voting sessions. But the biggest takeaway for the session is the public’s opportunity to listen in, submit written testimony, and/or testify in person or virtually on bills. To access the upcoming committee hearings, the web site is http://www.legis.nd.gov. That will take you to the Legislative web page to find several links. Committee hearings for the upcoming week are posted on Thursday afternoons.

I also will provide my e-mail address for you to access. It is [email protected]. My cell phone number is (701) 302-0355 and if I am not available, please leave a voice message or text me at that number.

I want to make sure you all know how important your input and feedback are. I look forward to serving D-23 as well as all of North Dakota in the 2021 session.