NDACo Legislative Update for Week 5 - Feb. 4th

The end of Week 5, and the start of the big money issues. As we see many of the single issue policy issues move up to, and through, the floors of the Assembly, the Tax Committees and Appropriations committees have started having hearings on bonding concepts, infrastructure investments and related funding strategies.

NDACo has repeated testimony multiple times, presenting the road and bridge needs of counties, as identified by the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute local roads study. Many legislators are quite sympathetic to our arguments, but we will need everyone to talk to their local legislators about their local needs if this is to become a priority.

Gas Tax Increase - HB 1464 - One of the most “current” issues is HB1464 that is now on the House Floor Calendar, and we REALLY need counties to urge a YES vote, to keep this proposal moving forward.

The House Tax and Finance Committee took surprising action on HB 1464 to increase the gas tax by

increasing the proposal to a six cent increase.  The bill was heard Monday and had overwhelming support by counties, cities and others. The gas tax is currently at .23 and hasn't been adjusted since 2005. 

Prime Sponsor Vicki Steiner made a solid pitch for the gas tax increase as a way for users to pay for road improvements. She highlighted the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute road study which looks at local road needs and costs associated. According to UGPTI, the combined estimate of infrastructure needs for all county and township roads is $9.3 billion over the next 20 years, which is equivalent to $466 million per year. 

County highway funding projections show that a .06 increase would result in $19.2 million in 2021-2023 biennium for county roads. See County by County Allocations for gas tax proposal

Watch for HB 1464 to be voted on in the House next week. 

                                                                                    Public Safety related: 

Sheriffs testified in opposition to HB 1270 which if not amended would limit their ability to do surveillance which could hamper investigating crimes and tips in addition, it could hamper the ability for emergency personnel to provide flood surveillance using drones. Law enforcement requested an amendment to exempt them from the bill. 

HB 1420 was heard which would legalize personal use of marijuana, less than one ounce. A separate bill is introduced that relates to the taxation of marijuana. The prime sponsor of the bill says his intent in introducing the bill could provide the state with greater control over setting the rules rather than a more broad proposal that could show up on the ballot. 

HB 1486 relates to the confidentiality of phone records and could limit law enforcement and 9-1-1 dispatchers from tracking cell phones to aid in the location of missing individuals or individuals in danger. NDACo worked with others including bill sponsors on an amendment, which addresses our concerns. 

NDACo also worked to amend HB 1457 which limits the length of time a local emergency order can be in effect and reauthorized. The bill as introduced was for emergency orders to not exceed 15 days. NDACo suggested 45 days as a compromise, but the committee decided on adding language for the orders to be reauthorized at next regularly scheduled meeting.  

House and Senate took action on several county related bills this week: 

PASSED

HB 1146 - SIRN cost-share correction

SB 2244 - increase Sheriffs civil fees

FAILED

HB 1500 - period of time before foreclosure 

HB 1108 - eliminate publication requirement to list bills

HB 1257 - eliminate seatbelt requirement if over 18

HB 14877 - higher fee for closed roads

SB 2231 - eliminate requirement to publish official election results

SB 2270 - property tax reduction for seniors

CLICK HERE FOR THE SCHEDULE FOR WEEK OF FEB. 8th - Week 6