Shortly after the close of the legislative session, Governor Burgum took out his red veto pen and added his own thoughts to some of the legislation. That left a few of our legislative leaders a bit ruffled, and now after a couple months of deliberation and an Attorney General’s opinion that stated the Governor did
Read & Share sourced from: Say Anything Blog.com
The medical marijuana bill that rewrites the ballot-measure initiative continues to progress through the legislature. It passed out of House committee recently and will be on the House flood next where it will need a 2/3 vote. John Hageman with the Grand Forks Herald has the details on the next steps and changes.
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The discussion around “Andrew’s Law” this legislative session has been emotional charged. When a law is named after a person who’s no longer with us and born from a tragic situation, it’s easy to get caught in the idea that we must act and accept the first pitch. Ladd Erickson argues that Senate’s decision to
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In North Dakota, the police can take your property if the feel it has been used in a crime. And the transfer of that property to the state is not dependent on whether you’re convicted or charged with the alleged crime. To put some check and balance in the equation, Representative Rick Becker sponsored a
Read & Share sourced from: Say Anything Blog.comA bill that wold reduce the reporting requirements on oil and produced-water spills continues to progress through the legislature. House Bill 1151 eliminates the requirement to report spills of less than 10 barrels (420 gallons) that are contained on a drill site. Amy Dalrymple provides a deeper look at the details at The Oil Patch
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Good Morning Senator Hogue and Senator Larsen, I’m writing to provide a last minute appeal for House Bill 1163 regarding the removal of North Dakota’s Sunday closing laws. And because this debate is just the latest in a series at both the state and local level that has me concerned, I’m publishing this letter publicly
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House Bill 1020 is the State Water Commission appropriations bill. It’s a big deal for Minot because it’s the Water Commission that contributes money to flood protection. In other words, if the Water Commission is appropriated money for flood protection, then Minot has a chance at getting some of those dollars. The bill was passed
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North Dakota’s House majority leader, Republican Al Carlson, is advancing a bill that would allow the creation of six state-owned casinos. If it passes the legislature, voters would also be required to approve the plan. The Bismarck Tribune has the story.
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The second half of the legislative session kicks off today, and the issues are going to get more complicated, but the biggest factor — an updated revenue forecast isn’t due until March 9. Nick Smith with the Bismarck Tribune has the quick look at some of the big issues facing legislators before the wrap up the
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Jill Schramm with the Minot Daily has an update on Minot’s efforts to find funding for the long-term flood protection plan. An appropriation bill in the legislature is through the House and, if it holds together, it secures the state’s share of the first four phases. What’s less clear is how we’ll go funding our
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After lengthy debate on Monday in which a vote to end North Dakota’s Sunday closing laws for retail businesses failed by a narrow margin, a legislator had a change of heart overnight and called to revisit the issue. This time around, the house voted to remove North Dakota’s laws. Get the full story from the
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A bill before the legislature would provide local control to school districts that need to make-up school days canceled because of inclement weather. Currently, the Governor is the only official with the authority to waive the need to make up lost school days. Blair Emerson with the Bismarck Tribune has the full story.
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An art gallery featuring the works of local artist Walter Piehl on the first floor of the Gordon Olson Library, the missing money for completion of the seasonal air structure over Herb Parker Stadium, and resources to finish work on a facilities building, they’re all part of Senate Bill 228 that would appropriate $2.28 million
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Some pomp and fanfare that typically accompanies the opening of the legislative session has been moved into private session in 2017 in part due to security concerns. Though not mandated, it has been tradition that one Native American tribe be given the opportunity to address a joint session of the legislature. That address has been
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The Western Area Water supply was a grand plan designed to bring Missouri River water to a huge portion of Northwest North Dakota. Financed by the legislature and industrial water sales, the project hasn’t been without controversy, but hook ups are continuing. This legislative session, WAWS will be seeking an additional 29 million to keep
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