Hot Topics At N.D. Capitol

As the legislative session gets underway, local lawmakers are pushing issues that will affect the area.

Flood diversion and combating sex trafficking are high on the list.

A growing problem in North Dakota, and hidden in our community, sex trafficking is one of the hot button issues during this legislative session.

State Senator Mac Schneider said, “We’re making sure that we provide funding for victims in order to be out witnesses so we can prosecute these traffickers and make sure ND is a bad place to do business.”

With laws already in the books, extra steps will be taken to fight the inhumane activity.

North Dakota Majority Leader Al Carlson said, “We have to look for those loop holes and tightening up enforcement or assisted law enforcement, were going to have to do that.”

One topic may stir the pot, some legislators are giving medical marijuana a chance other are giving it no shot.

“I want to hear from law enforcement, I want to hear from our medical providers, certainly we need to do what we can to help people who are in pain,” said Senator Schneider.

“I’m personally not in favor of that so, we’ll see how that goes through committee but I don’t believe that it’s a good thing for North Dakota so I’m not supporting that,” said Representative Carlson.

The F–M Flood Diversion is back on the table. Last session a senate bill funding flood protection originally failed but was passed the next day.

State Senator George Sinner said, “We need to get flood protection in place in our region and it’s number one on my list.”

Al Carlson has a proposal of $125 million for Fargo interior flood protection.

“This money will help 2,300 homes from the high risk and high insurance premiums,” said Representative Carlson.

Hiccups will arise during the session between parties, but at the end of the day legislators will have to make a decision on these concerns.

All bills that are introduced by the legislators will be submitted by the end of January. The session ends April 29th.