NDACo Legislative Update Jan. 14th

NDACo Legislative Update for Week 2 - January 14th, 2021

There was an uptick in activity this week as more and more bills are “dropped” into the process. Everyone expects next week to be very busy, with over-full hearing schedules for all committees. The technology for remote viewing and remote participation has had some glitches, but overall have allowed for clear, understandable testimony.

Two of the most significant things this week for counties were actions that DIDN’T happen. An extensive bill (HB1115) to rewrite county, city and township feedlot zoning authority, moving oversight to the Agriculture Commissioner, was withdrawn. Likewise, a second proposal to greatly increase local government liability limits, SB2129. Both had challenges for counties that would have taken significant effort to address, so this was very good news.

Monday’s hearing on HB1116, was quick and had no opposition. This bill expands the use of the county capital improvement ten mill (20 with vote) levy to include roads and bridges and permits counties to borrow against both their road levies and their capital improvement levies. The committee gave it an immediate 13-1 ‘Do Pass’ recommendation and it was passed on the House floor by 64-26.

The rest of Monday and Tuesday was spent mostly seeking sponsors for county bills, and monitoring some of the “big political issues” like the debate regarding the Governor’s emergency powers.

Wednesday brought some major agency appropriation bills, including the OMB budget which the Governor would like to ultimately contain his version of the infrastructure bonding proposal. A small piece in that budget is the continued state support for public administrators, which NDACo explained and supported.

The House Judiciary held a hearing on the bill (HB 1112) worked on by the Sheriff’s and Deputies’ Association regarding NDDOCR's “inmate prioritization plan.” The existing statutory authority allows DOCR to keep state-sentenced inmates in county jails. This bill says DOCR must enter into an agreement with counties if they need to house state-sentenced inmates in local facilities. The agreement would include DOCR paying for housing and medical costs. NDACo, Sheriff Kelly Leben and Sheriff Jahner testified in support. DOCR testified in opposition. The committee seemed receptive to the bill but did not discuss or take action on HB 1112. 

A bill initiated by county Auditors (HB1108) seeks to remove the requirement to publish county expenditures was heard Thursday in the House Political Subdivisions Committee. This proposal was unsuccessful last session, but with the many changes in the publication cycles for newspapers, we feel there may be more of an appetite for change.

Friday, NDACo will be asking the Senate Transportation committee to support a primary seatbelt law which is SB 2121.

Click here to view the schedule for next week - January 18th - Week 3