NDACo Priority Bills and Effective Dates

Today is the day many new laws passed during the 2017 Legislative Session take effect. Click on the link below to see the spreadsheet NDACo has compiled to show the effective dates for the top county priority bills.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B4bYba4CUTL1Rl9lSkZUelAwZUU

Burgum appoints new ND Department of Transportation Director

*News Release from Office of Governor Burgum

BISMARCK, N.D. (July 7, 2017) – Gov. Doug Burgum announced Friday he has appointed Thomas Sorel, a former Minnesota Department of Transportation commissioner with extensive experience in both the public and private sectors, to lead the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) starting Aug. 7.

Sorel is currently the chief operating officer of the Minnesota Trucking Association. He previously ran his own transportation consulting firm in Woodbury, Minn., and served as vice president of surface transportation for Serco North America, working on intelligent transportation systems and other areas.

“Tom Sorel has the leadership skills, strategic planning experience and innovative problem-solving skills we need to excel in a 21^st-century transportation environment that is undergoing rapid change, from autonomous vehicle testing to the proliferation of ridesharing services,” Burgum said. “His leadership will ensure the North Dakota Department of Transportation continues to deliver safe, modern services and smart, efficient infrastructure as part of a multi-modal network that supports driving, public transit, biking and walking.”

Sorel earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the State University of New York in Buffalo and holds a master’s in business administration from Thomas College in Waterville, Maine. Previously, he was vice president of the Twin Cities operations of North Dakota-based engineering firm KLJ and president and CEO of AAA Minneapolis.

“I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity Gov. Burgum has given me to serve the citizens of North Dakota,” Sorel said. “I’m excited to apply my experience in the public and private sectors, taking advantage of best practices and current and emerging technologies to provide the most robust and most reliable multi-modal transportation system possible.”

Sorel succeeds former NDDOT Director Grant Levi, who retired in May after more than 37 years with the department. Ron Henke, who has served as interim NDDOT director since May, will return to his role as deputy director for engineering. The governor is grateful to both for their leadership and service.

The NDDOT has more than 1,000 employees, a two-year budget of $1.2 billion and a $465 million construction program for this season.

Legislature to Challenge Gov. Burgum's Vetoes in Court

North Dakota legislators made history Wednesday after members of the Legislative Management committee voted to pursue litigation against Governor Doug Burgum. Prior to the vote, lawmakers discussed at length how they believed the Governor overstepped his authority.
"There is no one that can pass laws or spend money besides us," said House Majority Leader Al Carlson. "When those laws can be changed by striking selective words, I think we have legislation happening from another branch of government. I'm having a real hard time accepting the fact that you can do that."
Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner said, "I believe we need to make a statement that the Governor was out of bounds on this and to make sure this doesn't happen again."
The Governor has the power to veto parts of a spending bill. But Wardner and Carlson asked for an attorney general's opinion on whether or not a governor could veto parts of appropriation bills by selecting certain words that change the legislative intent.
Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem issued an opinion this week, noting that Governor Burgum on several bills made "improper" or "ineffective" vetoes.
The committee voted unanimously to proceed with challenging the vetoes in court versus calling lawmakers back into session to over-ride the vetoes.
The committee will meet at a later date and vote on exactly what issues they will pursue in the litigation. Legislative Council expects this challenge will be handled by the North Dakota State Supreme Court.