Resolution based on Ray Holmberg case heard in legislative committee

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — A North Dakota legislative committee is looking at a resolution written in response to the sentencing of former state senator Ray Holmberg.

Originally, HCR 3037 would have created a study on whether state legislators should become mandatory reporters when it comes to child sex abuse, similar to health care workers, teachers, and law enforcement.

Mandatory reporters must report incidents of suspected child abuse, or could face a $1,000 fine. This resolution suggested legislators that fail to report abuse should face removal from office, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and permanent disqualification from holding public office.

It also would have looked into the feasibility of creating an investigative body to handle such allegations.

The resolution was drafted by the group North Dakota Young Republicans, who testified in favor of the bill.

“The sentencing memo in Holmberg’s case made it clear that he hid behind power and privilege and that his status as a public official enabled – or at the very least emboldened him with wickedness,” said Derek Turbide, for the North Dakota Young Republicans.

When a committee member expressed concerns to Turbide that the bill should include all public officials, Rep. Nico Rios R-Williston – who sponsored the bill – had an emotional reaction.

“I’m afraid we’ll come back, if this is chosen, we’ll come back next session with a suggested bill that says, ‘Let’s just go ahead and make public officials mandatory reporters,'” said Rep. Mike Motschenbacher R-Bis.

“Rep. Motschenbacher, why don’t you do that? Why don’t you bring that bill? We’ll go to the Delayed Bills Committee next week,” said Rep. Rios in response.

The committee gave the resolution a Do-Pass recommendation after voting to remove bible verses, and changing the resolution from a study to urging the next legislative assembly to pass legislation making all public officials mandatory reporters.