Thursday, January 29, 2015

NDACo Week #4 Report

Another week has sped swiftly by, but not without some very significant “county” progress.  As reported on the blog earlier in the week, we had a very positive hearing on the bill for “state funding of social services” (SB2206).  So positive it was that the bill has already received a unanimous Do Pass recommendation from the policy committee, and has been rereferred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.  As the “first biennium” funding is included in the Governor’s budget, this is a much better position than in previous sessions.

Also noted below, today in the Senate, SB2103, the “Surge” bill, was passed on a vote of 44-2.  Yesterday amendments were added to increase the total funding to $1.1 billion, by adding $300 million for state highways.  This will now go to the House for their consideration.  The timing was great for the hour-long floor debate of the Surge – not that it was really a debate – but the TV cameras were rolling and there were a number of excellent floor speeches of support. 
I say the timing was great as there were so many local government folks in the halls for the House Appropriations Hearing on “GPT Formula Bill” (HB1176).  Unlike the Surge hearing, the GPT hearing was held in the regular hearing room and only an hour was allotted for the hearing.  It was like a high school basketball final, with spectators siting, standing, leaning, crouching and all but feinting in a much too crowded room.  The message was delivered however that the formula change for western counties, and the additional road funding for eastern counties are critical to our growing economy.

On the somewhat negative side, HB1058 (Truth in Taxation) was reported out of the House Finance and Tax and addressed on the floor today (Thursday).  You may recall that the Auditors and Treasurers Legislative Committee came up with a much preferred alternative to the expanded “Truth” notices that were proposed by the interim Tax Committee.  Unfortunately, the standing committee could not agree on the alternative.  But some good news…they ultimately decided not to expand the Truth notices, so they recommended that the House kill the bill – which is what they did (barely), but now we are left with the status quo.  We have begun discussions with the Senate about possibly addressing this issue in another bill. 

Lots of county faces in the Capitol on Tuesday as well, addressing (as also noted in a previous blog post) the “quota” proposal in the Dept. of Corrections budget.  This section of that agency budget suggests the development of a formula that would trigger county payments to the state once a maximum number of inmates from that county were held in the state penitentiary.  County sheriffs, state’s attorneys and district judges all testified in strong opposition to this (as stated by several) “offensive” proposal.  Despite the strong opposition, there seems to be considerable support for DOCR among committee members. 

Time Bill Description Committee Room
Monday 1/2
8:30 HB 1024 L Budget for tobacco control committee  House Appropriations - Human Res. Div.  Sakakawea 
8:30 HB 1012 A *** NDDOT Budget, $900 million for Highway Investments  House Appropriations - Gov Ops Division  Medora 
9:00 HB 1403 J Sick leave allowed for domestic violence  House Judiciary  Prairie 
9:00 SB 2345 J Increases pull tab prize limits  Senate Industry, Business and Labor  Roosevelt Park 
9:00 SB 2334 L Redefines newborn screening requirements  Senate Human Services  Red River 
9:00 SB 2037 B Uniform determination of taxable value for wind generation, other utility tax adjustments  Senate Finance and Taxation  Lewis and Clark 
9:00 HB 1378 L Study of essential health delivery  House Human Services  Fort Union 
9:00 HB 1354 B ** Ag values cannot rise more than 10% per year  House Finance and Taxation  Fort Totten 
9:00 HB 1300 E Allows NDPERS to use provider network for health plan  House Industry, Business and Labor  Peace Garden 
9:00 HB 1186 L Regulates e-cigs like tobacco  House Judiciary  Prairie 
9:15 HB 1339 B Homestead credit income to exempt social security  House Finance and Taxation  Fort Totten 
9:30 HB 1078 L Prohibits selling E-cig's to minors   House Judiciary  Prairie 
9:30 SB 2279 E Employer may not discriminate on sexual orientation  Senate Judiciary  Fort Lincoln 
9:30 HB 1314 J Minor sex victim can get medical services without parent consent  House Human Services  Fort Union 
9:30 SB 2058 C Resources trust fund proceeds not available for water commission salaries  Senate Appropriations  Harvest 
9:45 SB 2347 H Contractor to remove utility siting flags within 10 days  Senate Industry, Business and Labor  Roosevelt Park 
10:00 SB 2272 S Medicaid expanded to pediatric therapists  Senate Human Services  Red River 
10:10 HB 1265 L Regulates youth access to e-cigs  House Judiciary  Prairie 
10:25 HCR 3012 J Study child sex offender registration  House Judiciary  Prairie 
10:30 SB 2327 V * DOCR to report incarcerated felons to Sec. of State for voting purposes  Senate Judiciary  Fort Lincoln 
10:45 SB 2367 S Creates task force on substance exposed newborns  Senate Human Services  Red River 
11:00 SB 2335 J Physicians injury report of sexual assault not to include certain info  Senate Judiciary  Fort Lincoln 
11:00 HB 1410 S $5 million for head start  House Human Services  Fort Union 
2:00 HB 1380 J Sheriff's determination that conditions too hazardous for school does not impact school days  House Education  Pioneer 
2:00 HB 1015 J **** DOCR Budget including quota system for counties  House Appropriations - Human Resources Division  Sakakawea 
Tuesday 1/3
8:30 HB 1002 J Judicial Budget - 4 more judges and money for guardianship pilot program  House Appropriations - Government Operations Division  Medora 
8:30 SB 2032 A ** Creates an oil & gas strategic planning authority to determine state & county infrastructure needs  Senate Appropriations  Harvest 
9:00 HB 1359 S DHS to review rates for basic care facilities  House Human Services  Fort Union 
9:00 SB 2169 X GPT revenue consideration in school funding  Senate Education  Missouri River 
9:00 SB 2226 C Governor may enter into tax agreements with all tribes  Senate Finance and Taxation  Lewis and Clark 
9:00 SB 2359 J Expands assets exempt from judicial process  Senate Industry, Business and Labor  Roosevelt Park 
9:00 SCR 4017 J Urge Congress to pass anti-trafficking legislation  Senate Judiciary  Fort Lincoln 
9:15 SB 2332 J Increases offense class for hiring prostitute  Senate Judiciary  Fort Lincoln 
9:20 HB 1407 J **** Homeless sex offender registration  House Judiciary  Prairie 
9:30 HB 1421 A *** Tobacco tax increase, major funds to county for local public health  House Finance and Taxation  Fort Totten 
9:30 SB 2275 J Coerced abortion is trafficking  Senate Judiciary  Fort Lincoln 
9:55 HB 1347 J Human trafficked kid is deprived  House Judiciary  Prairie 
10:00 SB 2266 J Increased penalties for child porn  Senate Judiciary  Fort Lincoln 
10:00 HB 1392 B Mobile homes cannot be special assessed higher than homes  House Finance and Taxation  Fort Totten 
10:15 SB 2378 C Bank of ND to establish grant fund for cultural improvements, tax credits available to contributors  Senate Finance and Taxation  Lewis and Clark 
10:25 HB 1368 J Domestic violence treatment must follow standards  House Judiciary  Prairie 
10:30 SB 2357 J Unlawful sexting is a class A misdemeanor, civil remedies  Senate Judiciary  Fort Lincoln 
10:30 SB 2325 Z ****** Allows multiple brewer taproom licenses  Senate Industry, Business and Labor  Roosevelt Park 
11:00 SB 2270 J Repeals limits on bail bondsman commissions  Senate Judiciary  Fort Lincoln 
2:00 HB 1015 J **** DOCR Budget including quota system for counties  House Approp - Human Res. Div  Sakakawea 
2:00 HB 1426 R * Increase public improvement bidding threshold to 500K  House Education  Pioneer 
Wednesday 1/4
8:00 HCR 3019 J Study driving without liability insurance  House Industry, Business and Labor  Peace Garden 
8:00 HB 1385 J Political subdivisions may not regulate voice over internet protocol service  House Industry, Business and Labor  Peace Garden 
8:30 SB 2206 A **** State to fund social service grants, commission to study all costs  Senate Appropriations  Harvest 
9:00 HB 1219 J * Weapon prohibition for felons begins on date of conviction   House Judiciary  Prairie 
9:00 SB 2361 X Eminent domain use by WAWS may be used for residential use only  Senate Industry, Business and Labor  Roosevelt Park 
9:00 SB 2331 J No statute of limitations on child sexual abuse  Senate Judiciary  Fort Lincoln 
9:00 HB 1437 A Extension of oil trigger  House Finance and Taxation  Fort Totten 
9:00 HB 1430 J Medical Marijuana allowed  House Human Services  Fort Union 
9:30 HB 1450 J Reduction of penalty for weapon in bar  House Judiciary  Prairie 
9:30 SB 2333 J Under 21 allowed in certain liquor establishments to eat  Senate Judiciary  Fort Lincoln 
10:00 HCR 3021 A Study direct payments to political subdivisions to replace property taxes and greater voter control over local budgets  House Finance and Taxation  Fort Totten 
10:00 SB 2284 J Defines hospital treatment of sex assault victims, law enforcement info  Senate Judiciary  Fort Lincoln 
10:00 SB 2336 X Expansion of western area water supply requires additional steps  Senate Industry, Business and Labor  Roosevelt Park 
10:00 HB 1457 J Law enforcement to sell off confiscated guns  House Judiciary  Prairie 
10:30 HB 1328 J Drone Bill - use limitations  House Judiciary  Prairie 
10:30 SB 2322 A *** Tobacco tax increase, major funds to county for local public health  Senate Finance and Taxation  Lewis and Clark 
11:00 SCR 4010 V Constitutional amendment so legislators must remain resident of dist   Senate Judiciary  Fort Lincoln 
2:30 HB 1021 C * ITD budget including $ for CJIS  House Approp -   Gov. Ops Division  Medora 
Thursday 1/5
8:00 HCR 3015 X Constitutional convention for balanced budget  House Government and Veterans Affairs  Fort Union 
8:30 HB 1014 C Industrial Commission budget & adjustments to agencies that get money from heritage fund  House Appropriations - Government Operations Division  Medora 
8:30 HB 1015 J **** DOCR Budget including quota system for counties  House Approp - Human Res. Div  Sakakawea 
8:30 SB 2337 A Expands oil tax exemption  Senate Energy and Natural Resources  Fort Lincoln 
9:00 SB 2344 X Creates a foundation to manage legacy fund expenditures  Senate Government and Veterans Affairs  Missouri River 
9:00 HB 1356 J Depredation practices for landowners  House Energy and Natural Resources  Pioneer 
9:00 HB 1318 A ** Agriculture impact grants for infrastructure, $5 million  House Agriculture  Peace Garden 
9:00 HB 1381 J No Drones to interfere with hunting  House Energy and Natural Resources  Pioneer 
9:00 SB 2329 Z Increases maximum size of renaissance zone  Senate Political Subdivisions  Red River 
9:30 SB 2330 V * Student ID to be valid voting ID  Senate Government and Veterans Affairs  Missouri River 
9:30 HB 1395 J * PSAP to use emergency information database if available House Transportation  Fort Totten 
9:45 SB 2373 B * Severed mineral owners to pay county 50% of property tax on surface  Senate Energy and Natural Resources  Fort Lincoln 
9:45 SB 2346 E Changes VSO training certification requirements  Senate Government and Veterans Affairs  Missouri River 
10:00 SB 2375 B 25% of landowners may petition to create special assessment district, procedures for objection  Senate Political Subdivisions  Red River 
10:00 HB 1258 Z Political subdivision must enforce zoning in their extraterritorial area  House Political Subdivisions  Prairie 
10:15 SB 2339 B * Farm building used in agri-tourism are property tax exempt  Senate Agriculture  Roosevelt Park 
10:30 HB 1398 Z ET zoning board to contain one citizen in the ET  House Political Subdivisions  Prairie 
10:45 SB 2374 Z Owners of oil, gas, saltwater gathering lines to obtain industrial commission permits, install flowmeters  Senate Energy and Natural Resources  Fort Lincoln 
10:45 SB 2262 R Threshold for annual, rather than biennial, audits raised to $300,000  Senate Political Subdivisions  Red River 
2:00 HB 1357 H Railroad must have 2 crew members - crossing issues  House Transportation  Fort Totten 
2:30 HCR 3020 B Study impact on owners from land inundated by rising Devils Lake waters  House Energy and Natural Resources  Pioneer 
2:30 HB 1456 Z Land board to buy excess Corps land  House Energy and Natural Resources  Pioneer 
2:30 HB 1154 E Employees can elect to move to defined contribution program  House Government and Veterans Affairs  Fort Union 
Friday 1/6
8:00 SB 2343 X Royalty owners to be paid for flared gas  Senate Energy and Natural Resources  Fort Lincoln 
9:00 HB 1391 J Reduce time required to send DOT no liability proof  House Transportation  Fort Totten 
9:00 SB 2315 I *** Raises political subdivision liability to $3 million  Senate Political Subdivisions  Red River 
9:00 HB 1345 E * County must have 5 commissioners  House Political Subdivisions  Prairie 
9:15 SB 2299 V Regulates campaign donation pass-thru  Senate Government and Veterans Affairs  Missouri River 
9:30 HB 1332 E Only elected boards can use eminent domain  House Political Subdivisions  Prairie 
9:30 SB 2370 Z Expands setback for oil wells from occupied dwelling from 500 to 1320 feet  Senate Energy and Natural Resources  Fort Lincoln 
9:45 HB 1011 J ** Highway Patrol Budget, $27 million academy  House Approp - Gov Ops Div Medora 
9:45 SB 2353 V ** Allows for provisional ballot voting  Senate Government and Veterans Affairs  Missouri River 
10:00 HB 1322 B Expands purposes for special assessments  House Political Subdivisions  Prairie 
10:00 SB 2363 A Exempts from MV excise tax transfers to grandchildren  Senate Transportation  Lewis and Clark 
10:00 SB 2371 C Cities can create administrative boards with authority to levy fines  Senate Political Subdivisions  Red River 
10:15 SB 2369 V * Citizen may request and pay for audit of county voting equipment  Senate Government and Veterans Affairs  Missouri River 
10:30 SB 2352 J Expanded authority for law enforcement to remove abandoned vehicles from roadway  Senate Transportation  Lewis and Clark 
10:30 HB 1343 V Recall election changes  House Political Subdivisions  Prairie 


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