NDACo Legislative Update: April 2nd

The legislature began appointing conference committees Thursday to resolve differences between House and Senate versions of some bills. This is what is commonly considered the start of the "Third Period" of the process. It is also a sign that the end is approaching. You will see very few hearings on the schedule. There are a number of firearm related bills scheduled in Judiciary and the final election reform bill will be heard in Senate GVA. You will see on the schedule that a great deal of it is appropriations committee work.

More time was spent in floor sessions this week, and quite a number of “county bills” reached final resolution. Some of the significant action included:

• The defeat of the “culvert bill” as requested by the counties.
• The return of the “road train” bill (SB 2026) to committee and the addition of language giving local road authorities control before passage. 
• The amendment of the “potato warehouse exemption” was turned into a study.
• A bill (SB 2142) initiated by the County Auditors to increase the days allowed to process absentee/mail ballots passed the House.
• The Senate killed two election bills Auditors opposed. HB 1173 required the full text of measures on the ballot. HB 1373 decreased the days for early vote from 15 to 9 days. 
• The Senate also defeated a bill (HB 1457) that would have required counties to renew emergency declarations/disasters at each regularly scheduled meeting.
• The Senate approved a bill to provide health benefits for family members of a fallen officer. 
• The House concurred on the changes the Senate made to HB 1112, which requires ND DOCR to pay for housing and medical costs of state-sentenced inmates when in the prioritization plan. This means the bill is on to the Governor for his signature!    

Click here to view schedule for next week. Included in this schedule is the listing of committee work. Bills scheduled for hearings are highlighted.