NDACo Legislative Update: March 12

The week began with an intense discussion in the House Judiciary committee on two proposed constitutional amendments to eliminate property taxation – partially in one and totally in the other. NDACo and the League of cities opposed both, explaining that the absence of a plan for replacement revenue in one, and the fact that replacement would only be guaranteed at the current year level in the other would create serious problems. While both received “Do Pass” recommendations from the committee, they were both soundly defeated on the floor of the House.

It was another busy week for hearings, with the major budget bills for DHS, NDDOT, DoH, UGPTI, NDSU Extension and most of the other letters of the alphabet. Those five noted however have significant impacts on counties, and NDACo staff, and in some cases individual county officials provided testimony on those “county aspects.”

Probably the biggest county crowd was in Bismarck for the “culvert bill” or SB2324. This bill shifts the relationship between local road authorities and the state engineer when it comes to when culverts need to be replaced. Representatives from Grand Forks, Griggs and Foster Counties joined NDACo in weighing-in against this proposal

The “policy bill” hearings are starting to slow down, and next week appears to have fewer scheduled, although there is plenty of committee work (where the action really happens) going on. 

An issue we thought was dead is back... The
Sheriffs worked to get a bill to prohibit the release of booking photos "mugshots" killed in the House. House members defeated HB 1296 but similar language has made it's way into HB 1294. We look for that bill to be on the Senate floor as early as Monday. We are asking Senators to oppose the amendments for HB 1294.  

The following bills were "wins" for counties... 

The Senate gave the final approval on: 

HB 1122 - Allows for POST Board to license and regulate Reserve Officers

HB 1146 - SIRN technical correction to allow for fire and ambulance districts to be eligible for the state cost share for SIRN radios

The Senate defeated: 

HB 1238- Required polling location in each legislative district 

Click here for next week's schedule