Author: Eric Bolin

Legislature votes to ban approval and ranked-choice voting in North Dakota

Burleigh County residents fill out ballots during the first day of early voting for the North Dakota primary at the Bismarck Event Center on June 5, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. — A bill that will end approval voting in Fargo passed the Senate floor on Tuesday. A last-minute amendment grandfathering Fargo’s approval voting system failed to get a…

State house appropriations committee asks questions about funding bill for Fargo National Cemetery upgrades

A computer model of the proposed upgrades to Fargo National Cemetery by ICON Architectural GroupBISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota House Appropriation members got a chance to ask questions regarding a bill to provide funding for upgrades to Fargo National Cemetery. Rep. Austin Schauer (R-West Fargo), and Senator Scott Meyer (R-Grand Forks) were among those who introduced the bill and were…

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…

North Dakota lawmakers go over bill on sealing criminal records

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — North Dakota lawmakers are looking at a bill to change rules for sealing criminal records. Currently, only people convicted of non-violent crimes can petition to have their records sealed. The bill changes some of the rules regarding denied petitions and the ability of convicts to appeal that denial. If passed into law, one of the biggest…

Term limits resolution narrowly fails in North Dakota House; reconsideration vote possible Wednesday

A voter fills out a ballot at the Hillside Aquatic Complex in Bismarck on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A resolution to change North Dakota’s term limits law failed in the House on a narrow 46-43 vote Tuesday, but could be reconsidered on Wednesday after five people were absent during the…

Legislative committee looks at bills changing gun laws and self defense

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — A pair of bills under consideration by the North Dakota Legislature are dealing with gun regulations and self defense. HB 1326 deals with the rules of self-defense: It would make it illegal for a person who can’t lawfully possess a firearm to use it in self-defense. Supporters say the bill was created to deal with instances…

ND legislators consider bill creating alert for missing indigenous people

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — A new alert could be coming to North Dakota, focused on missing Indigenous people. It’s being called a Feather Alert, and it would be used in similar situations as an Amber Alert. The alert system would be under the control of Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the highway patrol. Law enforcement would activate the alert only…