NDACo Legislative Update 1-28

 Update for Week 4 at the Capitol  (Schedule for Week 5 at bottom of page)

Public Safety

Law enforcement testified about the dangers of expanding the medical marijuana program to allow for edibles and a separate bill allowing patients to grow up to 8 plants in their home. The Senate defeated the home-grow bill SB 2234 Thursday.  The Sheriff's Association also testified in support to increasing the fees related to civil service. There were also a few bills that could aid in the recruiting and retention of law enforcement by providing student loan forgiveness and establishing a retention fund. 

Election

We weighed in on numerous election related bills. These ranged from limiting the length of time an individual has to vote after polling locations close to an election reform bill HB 1253. The election reform bill is 80 pages long and makes changes to 101 sections. The North Dakota Auditors Association reviewed the bill and offered support as well as further suggestions to address items of their concern. 

Highlights of this bill include: 

• Updating of outdated language
• Outlines the procedure for signature verification
• Addresses questions regarding candidates residency & vacancies

Many of the election related bills introduced and heard in the past two weeks are not responding to issues experienced in North Dakota but rather reacting to fears related to observations during the prior election across the country. One such bill would eliminate counties use of absentee, vote by mail or early vote in North Dakota. NDACo opposed HB 1312. 

Bonding - One of the bonding bills (SB2040) was heard in the House Appropriations. Cities joined counties in testifying to the need to inject funding into local infrastructure. Obviously, with multiple bonding proposals still under discussion, we have a long way to go on this issue. 

Highway Tax – Road Levy Clean Up: The Senate Transportation Committee voted 6/0 Do Pass on SB2260 which is a bill that removes outdated language in 24-05-01(5) that prohibits the co-mingling of Highway Tax Distribution allocations with County Road and Bridge funds when paying bills related to roads. Counties have historically considered Highway Tax Distribution allocations as a revenue source available for their road budgets. Updating the language with this bill allows counties to continue combining Highway Tax allocations and county road levy funds when paying bills from their Road and Bridge fund. SB2260 also updates the names of two road levy funds that will expire in 2024, and replaces them with the current road levy fund names used in the ND Tax Department’s Levy Limitations Publication and property tax code.

Value Reduction and Freeze for Seniors: SB2270 is one of several bills that expand property tax relief for seniors through valuation and/or tax caps. Efforts to freeze or cap values result in a shift of the tax burden to remaining taxpayers in the community. NDACo testified that the best way to accomplish expansion of senior tax relief would be through the current Homestead Credit program by increasing the income and/or asset thresholds so that more taxpayers qualify for a tax credit through the program. The Senate Finance and Tax Committee agreed and voted 7/0 Do Not Pass on SB2270.

Click here to view schedule for Week 5 - Feb. 1-5