As we reach the “crossover” period of this 65th Legislative Session, it is not only a good time to catch our breaths but also reflect on the first half. With 778 bills filed this session, NDACo identified 454 bills that have some degree of county impact – either positive or negative. At crossover, 142 of these “county-related” bills have been defeated or withdrawn, leaving just over 300 to monitor for the remainder of the session.
“The bills we track are really as diverse as the programs and
services counties provide and the issues they face. In one day our lobbying
team can monitor bills on property tax exemptions, guardianship grants, and/or reducing
penalties for drug crimes,” said NDACo Executive Director Mark Johnson.
“All in all, when you look at how our County priority issues
are faring in this Legislative Session, we see a lot of positive momentum as
bills cross over. A majority of the bills initiated by counties are still
alive, and we have made efforts to improve bills so they better represent our
ideas. Major priorities like Social Service funding
and two bills to create a new radio network for law enforcement and first
responders have made it into the second half. These are triumphs given the
budget shortfall and cuts this session.”
The following is a brief look at our “crossover” scorecard on some of our priority bills:
Bills
Passed by the Senate and coming over to the House in pretty good shape are:
SB2206, Social Service funding – We are hopeful it can meet
with success on the House side without additional baggage.
SB2204, Health Dept. Budget – Some of the governor’s cuts to
local public health have been restored and we hope to retain that funding.
SB2288, Unified property tax notice – A two-year effort to
streamline and reduce notices that seems to be in pretty good shape.
SB2204, State SIRN funding/traffic fees – The House passed
the local share of SIRN in the 911 fee bill. This is the state share.
SB2045, Remove “fat truck” sunset – Allows local road
authorities to retain civil penalties for damages to THEIR own roads.
Bills
Passed by the House and coming over to the Senate in pretty good shape are:
HB1012, DHS Budget – Although it is hopeful that some areas
of funding can be restored, the continuation of Expanded Medicaid is important.
HB1024, Deficiency appropriation for DAPL protest costs.
HB 1178, Local
SIRN funding/phone fee – The Senate passed the state share of SIRN in a traffic
fee bill. This is the local share.
Passed by
one House but in need of additional work:
SB2286, Pipeline siting – This effort to unify local
transmission pipeline siting (PSC and Township/County) will likely need some
amendments but industry is working with counties.
SB2015, DOCR Budget – Amendments gave DOCR the power to
refuse inmates, leaving them in county jails at county cost.
HB1294/HB1338, Indigent Burial – Some of the changes will
increase county costs.
Unfortunately
Dead:
HB1122 & HB1123, Election Equipment Appropriations –
Obviously the state’s revenues may not allow this to come back in the Secretary
of State’s budget or some other place, but it is a priority of counties.
Unfortunately Alive:
HB1361, 3% cap on property taxes – We are hopeful that the
Senate will defeat this poor public policy that can encourage, rather than
discourage, property tax growth.
HB1424, Tax exempt church property – We disagree with the
concept that income-producing property of churches is tax exempt.
Reminder, next week the Legislature is only in session Wed - Friday. Below you will find a link to the schedule.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B4bYba4CUTL1UUxkTU04NS1qQXM
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