Thursday, January 15, 2015

Week #2 Report

Some committees were a little “light” on hearings yet this week, but others had scheduled an unreasonable number.  Monday and Tuesday included more than a half a dozen property tax bills, but fortunately, as noted in an earlier blog post, we had solid support from county officials.

While several of the tax bills were positive, many, like the “mills to cents” proposal (HB1005) were opposed by county officials.  The House Tax Committee received NO supporting testimony for “mills to cents”, but there are committee members that would really like to pass this bill.  If you have a Representative on that committee, or even if they aren’t on the committee, please let them know what you think. The link to the left will get you to their contact information. 

The NDDOT budget presentation began, as did many of the major funding bills.  The “Surge” (SB2103)and Governor’s “fast-track” bill (SB2126)however will be heard today (Friday), and we are expecting a very big crowd.  Oil counties, non-oil counties, cities, schools, contractors, oil companies, agricultural interests, are just a some of those that have been scheduled to testify in support of significant, and immediate, infrastructure funding.  This one we hope will move very quickly to the House. 

Another big state agency budget heard this week with a big county interest was the appropriation for the Department of Corrections (HB1015).  As we have reported, this budget anticipates establishing a “quota” system for prison inmates.  If the court sends more offenders to prison than that county’s quota, the county gets billed.  Judges, prosecutors, sheriffs and commissioners all think this is VERY BAD public policy.  Legislators recognize the prison is getting full, and that is a big issue, but simply charging the counties (that don’t make the decision to send them there), is not the answer.  This is a very important issue that we will undoubtedly be working on until the end of the session.

Check out the hearing list below, as there are even more “county bills” to be heard next week.  We also expect that some important county bills might begin to move to the floor next week – so stay plugged in to this blog in case we need some quick action. 
 
TimeBill NumberDescriptionCommitteeRoom
Monday 1/19  
08:30 AM SB 2012A **** Human Services budget, enhanced county reimbursement for expanded Medicaid Senate Appropriations Harvest 
09:00 AM HB 1149J Pharmacy boards to adopt admin rules House Human Services Fort Union 
09:00 AM SCR 4005S Study behavioural health and juvenile proceedings Senate Judiciary Fort Lincoln 
09:00 AM SB 2036C * Tax exemptions for certain coal plants - removes beneficiated coal taxation Senate Finance and Taxation Lewis and Clark 
09:00 AM HB 1140C bowling and billiards sales tax exemption House Finance and Taxation Fort Totten 
09:00 AM HB 1004J *** Health Dept appropriation, increase in LPHU state aid House Appropriations - Human Resources Division Sakakawea 
09:00 AM HB 1118J Expansion of probation officer's authority House Judiciary Prairie 
09:00 AM HB 1159I Release of information on WSI claims to employer House Industry, Business and Labor Peace Garden 
09:15 AM SB 2012A **** Human Services budget, enhanced county reimbursement for expanded Medicaid Senate Appropriations Harvest 
09:15 AM HB 1150C Changes to sales tax collection on out of staters House Finance and Taxation Fort Totten 
09:20 AM HB 1119J Changes to transfer of supervision of minors House Judiciary Prairie 
09:30 AM SB 2012A **** Human Services budget, enhanced county reimbursement for expanded Medicaid Senate Appropriations Harvest 
09:30 AM HB 1243C * Raises threshold for out-of-state sales tax refunds and requires Montanans to file to get it House Finance and Taxation Fort Totten 
09:45 AM HB 1141J Changes to JX in small claims House Judiciary Prairie 
09:45 AM SB 2035C Sales tax exemption for fertilizer and chemical plants Senate Finance and Taxation Lewis and Clark 
10:00 AM HB 1170C Sales tax rebate for flooded property House Finance and Taxation Fort Totten 
10:00 AM SB 2168J * Guardianship statute updates Senate Human Services Red River 
10:00 AM SB 2098J Clarifies filing requirement for certain appeal notices  Senate Judiciary Fort Lincoln 
10:00 AM HB 1013A **** Land Board Budget, Oil Impact Fund, retains current GPT formula  House Appropriations - Government Operations Division Medora 
10:15 AM SB 2012A **** Human Services budget, enhanced county reimbursement for expanded Medicaid Senate Appropriations Harvest 
10:30 AM HB 1247H DHS to implement (you know who that means) a safe-sleep training program for childcare providers  House Human Services Fort Union 
10:45 AM SB 2218S Supplemental funding for persons with developmental disabilities Senate Human Services Red River 
10:45 AM SB 2034C Sales tax exemption for oil pipeline materials Senate Finance and Taxation Lewis and Clark 
10:45 AM SB 2012A **** Human Services budget, enhanced county reimbursement for expanded Medicaid Senate Appropriations Harvest 
11:15 AM SB 2178X Additional school construction loan option Senate Education Missouri River 
11:15 AM SB 2012A **** Human Services budget, enhanced county reimbursement for expanded Medicaid Senate Appropriations Harvest 
02:00 PM HB 1178X Calculation of mineral revenue in school aid House Education Pioneer 
02:00 PM HB 1004J *** Health Dept appropriation, increase in LPHU state aid House Appropriations - Human Resources Division Sakakawea 
02:00 PM SB 2143C ** Raises senior mill levy match to 100% of 1 mill Senate Finance and Taxation Lewis and Clark 
02:00 PM SB 2012A **** Human Services budget, enhanced county reimbursement for expanded Medicaid Senate Appropriations Harvest 
02:30 PM SB 2012A **** Human Services budget, enhanced county reimbursement for expanded Medicaid Senate Appropriations Harvest 
03:15 PM SB 2012A **** Human Services budget, enhanced county reimbursement for expanded Medicaid Senate Appropriations Harvest 
03:45 PM SB 2012A **** Human Services budget, enhanced county reimbursement for expanded Medicaid Senate Appropriations Harvest 
Tuesday 1/20  
08:30 AM SB 2012A **** Human Services budget, enhanced county reimbursement for expanded Medicaid Senate Appropriations Harvest 
09:00 AM HB 1319C exemption of athletic events from sales tax House Finance and Taxation Fort Totten 
09:00 AM SB 2171A Governing body can contract when no bids received Senate Industry, Business and Labor Roosevelt Park 
09:00 AM HB 1212J Stalking victims eligible for unemployment comp House Industry, Business and Labor Peace Garden 
09:00 AM HB 1161J Raises the minimum bet for 21 House Judiciary Prairie 
09:00 AM HB 1202E Employer can withhold payment for accrued leave regardless  House Industry, Business and Labor Peace Garden 
09:00 AM SB 2161J Creates committee to consider problem-solving courts Senate Judiciary Fort Lincoln 
09:15 AM SB 2012A **** Human Services budget, enhanced county reimbursement for expanded Medicaid Senate Appropriations Harvest 
09:15 AM HB 1327C Thrift store sales tax exempt House Finance and Taxation Fort Totten 
09:25 AM HB 1157J Elected officials can carry in public buildings House Judiciary Prairie 
09:30 AM HB 1325B Homestead tax applies when in nursing home House Finance and Taxation Fort Totten 
09:45 AM SB 2203R Government can do single prime bid under $5 million Senate Industry, Business and Labor Roosevelt Park 
09:45 AM SB 2052J ** Interim bill to tweak DUI laws amended in previous session Senate Judiciary Fort Lincoln 
10:00 AM HB 1169R Death deeds exempt from statement of full consideration on recording House Judiciary Prairie 
10:00 AM SB 2031B School district property tax reduction grants, mill levy limits, base year calculations Senate Education Missouri River 
10:00 AM HB 1147B Homestead tax credit increases House Finance and Taxation Fort Totten 
10:15 AM SB 2156J * Mandatory sentences for armed offenders Senate Judiciary Fort Lincoln 
10:15 AM HB 1262B Creates renter property tax credit for disable vets House Finance and Taxation Fort Totten 
10:15 AM SB 2012A **** Human Services budget, enhanced county reimbursement for expanded Medicaid Senate Appropriations Harvest 
10:30 AM HB 1299B * Increases homestead tax credit income thresholds - 24K to 40K for 100% House Finance and Taxation Fort Totten 
10:30 AM SB 2172A Extraction taxes distributed on cash basis to local government Senate Finance and Taxation Lewis and Clark 
10:30 AM HB 1166E Elimination of 70/30 judge chambers House Judiciary Prairie 
10:45 AM SB 2116J * DOCR to create pretrial services pilot program Senate Judiciary Fort Lincoln 
10:45 AM HB 1214L Tobacco settlement funds to health services trust House Human Services Fort Union 
11:00 AM SB 2104J Regulatory structure for opioid overdose rescue kits Senate Human Services Red River 
11:00 AM SB 2012A **** Human Services budget, enhanced county reimbursement for expanded Medicaid Senate Appropriations Harvest 
02:00 PM HB 1218X * Reduces school ending fund balance to 1.5% of budget or $45,000 House Education Pioneer 
02:00 PM SB 2012A **** Human Services budget, enhanced county reimbursement for expanded Medicaid Senate Appropriations Harvest 
02:00 PM SB 2221B * Increase homestead credit threshold to $150,000 value and slight increases to income thresholds Senate Finance and Taxation Lewis and Clark 
02:30 PM HB 1067A ** Census estimates to be used for state aid formula rather then decennial census House Appropriations Roughrider 
02:30 PM SB 2012A **** Human Services budget, enhanced county reimbursement for expanded Medicaid Senate Appropriations Harvest 
03:00 PM SB 2213V * Significant restructure of school district elections - to be held regularly with primary Senate Education Missouri River 
03:15 PM HB 1033A * Creates mechanism for budgeting legacy fund disbursement House Appropriations Roughrider 
03:15 PM SB 2012A **** Human Services budget, enhanced county reimbursement for expanded Medicaid Senate Appropriations Harvest 
03:45 PM SB 2012A **** Human Services budget, enhanced county reimbursement for expanded Medicaid Senate Appropriations Harvest 
Wednesday 1/21  
08:30 AM HB 1004J *** Health Dept appropriation, increase in LPHU state aid House Appropriations - Human Resources Division Sakakawea 
08:30 AM SB 2012A **** Human Services budget, enhanced county reimbursement for expanded Medicaid Senate Appropriations Harvest 
08:30 AM HB 1021A ITD budget including $ for CJIS House Appropriations - Government Operations Division Medora 
09:00 AM SB 2144B **** Governor task force property tax reform bill Senate Finance and Taxation Lewis and Clark 
09:00 AM SB 2222R Open records requests by legislators are themselves open records Senate Judiciary Fort Lincoln 
09:00 AM HB 1340C Changes to special assessment protest House Finance and Taxation Fort Totten 
09:15 AM SB 2012A **** Human Services budget, enhanced county reimbursement for expanded Medicaid Senate Appropriations Harvest 
09:15 AM HB 1341C Findings for special assessment districts House Finance and Taxation Fort Totten 
09:30 AM HB 1285C Commerce appropriation for domestic violence shelter grants House Human Services Fort Union 
09:30 AM HB 1287A ** State aid increased to 1 penny, but 50% must be used to reduce property taxes House Finance and Taxation Fort Totten 
10:00 AM HB 1323L State health officer to create stroke system House Human Services Fort Union 
10:00 AM HB 1152X Bakken scholarship fund House Finance and Taxation Fort Totten 
10:15 AM SB 2162E Loan repayment program for social workers and LACs Senate Human Services Red River 
10:15 AM SB 2012A **** Human Services budget, enhanced county reimbursement for expanded Medicaid Senate Appropriations Harvest 
11:00 AM SB 2196B Specifies intangible property that is not subject to real property assessment Senate Finance and Taxation Lewis and Clark 
11:30 AM SB 2012A **** Human Services budget, enhanced county reimbursement for expanded Medicaid Senate Appropriations Harvest 
02:00 PM HB 1188Z School annexation section for district coterminous with city House Education Pioneer 
02:00 PM HB 1301E Changes to FMLA for state employees House Industry, Business and Labor Peace Garden 
02:00 PM SB 2012A **** Human Services budget, enhanced county reimbursement for expanded Medicaid Senate Appropriations Harvest 
02:00 PM HB 1011J ** Highway Patrol Budget, $27 million academy House Appropriations - Government Operations Division Medora 
02:00 PM HB 1004J *** Health Dept appropriation, increase in LPHU state aid House Appropriations - Human Resources Division Sakakawea 
02:00 PM HB 1317I Additions to PTSD for first responders House Industry, Business and Labor Peace Garden 
02:30 PM SB 2177S ** $62 million for social service eligibility system completion, $14 M state Senate Appropriations Harvest 
04:00 PM SB 2012A **** Human Services budget, enhanced county reimbursement for expanded Medicaid Senate Appropriations Harvest 
Thursday 1/22  
08:00 AM HB 1080E *** Increased contribution to PERS House Government and Veterans Affairs Fort Union 
08:00 AM HB 1062I PERS technical corrections House Government and Veterans Affairs Fort Union 
08:00 AM HB 1038L Telemedicine must be covered in insurance policies House Government and Veterans Affairs Fort Union 
08:30 AM HB 1014A Industrial Commission budget & budget adjustments to state agencies that get money from heritage fund House Appropriations - Government Operations Division Medora 
09:00 AM SB 2167H $2 million for one call locates for oil companies Senate Political Subdivisions Red River 
09:00 AM HB 1158E **** Remove game and fish license from auditors House Energy and Natural Resources Pioneer 
09:00 AM SB 2157J Restricted work permits for out-of-state suspended drivers Senate Transportation Lewis and Clark 
09:00 AM HB 1175Contents of nominating petitionsHouse Agriculture Peace Garden 
09:00 AM HB 1093A Technical corrections to highway distribution fund House Transportation Fort Totten 
09:00 AM SB 2038E * Future state employees to be enrolled in defined contribution retirement plan Senate Government and Veterans Affairs Missouri River 
09:00 AM HB 1171J Traffic fines to go to county House Transportation Fort Totten 
09:30 AM HB 1197X Government funds can't go to non-profit to purchase property for wildlife or conservation  House Agriculture Peace Garden 
09:30 AM SB 2015C ** OMB budget, guardianship funding Senate Appropriations Harvest 
09:30 AM HB 1182R ** Cleans up county bidding law, raises threshold to $150,000 House Political Subdivisions Prairie 
09:45 AM HB 1207J Vehicle headlamps to be on 1/2 hour after sunrise & 1/2 hour before sunset House Transportation Fort Totten 
09:45 AM HB 1331J Changes to headlights on motorcycles House Transportation Fort Totten 
09:45 AM SB 2175A ** Special fuels refund 7-cent exemption for ag products utilizations removed, $2 million pulled from highway distribution Senate Agriculture Roosevelt Park 
09:45 AM SB 2180R Holder of unrecorded conveyence of real property my challenge deed Senate Political Subdivisions Red River 
10:00 AM HB 1330R Delays implementation of electronic UCC filing system House Political Subdivisions Prairie 
10:30 AM SB 2195H Raised max in township special road fund from $30K to $100K Senate Political Subdivisions Red River 
10:30 AM HCR 3009H Urge Congress to pass define "waters of US" favorably House Agriculture Peace Garden 
10:45 AM HB 1232H * Contractor to make good-faith effort to follow local road remediation plan  House Transportation Fort Totten 
11:15 AM HB 1213E * Appointee to local board cannot be felon, pending charges of any kind, or delinquent on any taxes House Political Subdivisions Prairie 
02:00 PM HB 1204J Fines for failing to yield to emergency vehicle House Transportation Fort Totten 
02:00 PM HB 1172J Blue lights on emergency vehicles House Transportation Fort Totten 
02:30 PM HB 1241J ** Guns allowed in bars, but removed from churches and parks - 15 day limit on LE approval House Energy and Natural Resources Pioneer 
02:45 PM SB 2017C ** Game & Fish budget, funding for license admin assumption  Senate Appropriations Harvest 
Friday 1/23  
08:00 AM HCR 3006J Study use of state resources for youth adjudicated by tribal courts House Government and Veterans Affairs Fort Union 
08:00 AM HB 1284V * Bond ballot to include duration and estimated cost in mills to taxpayer House Government and Veterans Affairs Fort Union 
08:00 AM HB 1246E State employee compensation studies must county 50% of benefits House Government and Veterans Affairs Fort Union 
08:30 AM HB 1018I Dept of Commerce budget including flood grants and workplace safety facility House Appropriations - Education and Environment Division Roughrider 
09:00 AM SB 2190C Oil well plugging funds can be used for spill mitigation Senate Energy and Natural Resources Fort Lincoln 
09:00 AM HB 1164J Interlock instead of 24/7 House Transportation Fort Totten 
09:00 AM HB 1250R Governing body to which Governor appoints must post minutes to the web within 60 days House Political Subdivisions Prairie 
09:00 AM HB 1324H Multi-lane highway 52 House Transportation Fort Totten 
09:00 AM SB 2149H * Chapter 48 bidding publishing requirements expanded, deadline for plans Senate Political Subdivisions Red River 
10:00 AM HB 1326J Gravel loads must be covered House Transportation Fort Totten 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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