Politics / Elections

Bill protecting pesticide availability prevails in North Dakota Senate

Protesters opposing a bill that would raise the standard for proving liability for lawsuits involving pesticides peer through the windows of the Capitol on April 14, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The North Dakota Senate on Monday passed a bill that backers say ensures farmers in the state will have access to needed ag chemicals,…

North Dakota House removes new Ethics Commission position from budget, adds 6-month deadline

Rebecca Binstock, executive director of the North Dakota Ethics Commission, speaks during a committee hearing on Jan. 31, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The North Dakota House on Monday voted to give the Ethics Commission a six-month deadline to resolve ethics complaints while also removing a new position approved by the Senate. The amended bill,…

Fargo City Commission Delays Action On Making Mayor Full-Time, Adding 2 Commissioners

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Fargo City Commissioners are delaying any action on making the mayor full-time or adding two commissioners, until next month. City staff presented findings of research into what steps would need to be taken and the impact on the budget. Commissioners can vote to make the mayor’s position full-time. Right now the mayor’s position is only part-time…

Pesticide cancer claims at issue in bill headed for North Dakota Senate vote

BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — North Dakota legislators have been wrestling with a pesticide bill backed by agricultural groups that would make it harder for people to win cancer liability lawsuits against the farm chemical industry. House Bill 1318 would shield the maker of Roundup and other farm chemical manufacturers from lawsuits from people who say they were not adequately…

Committee recommends ‘do not pass’ on controversial North Dakota library content bill

The state flag of North Dakota waves in the wind outside of the Capitol in Bismarck on Feb. 27, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The North Dakota House Appropriations Committee voted 22-1 Friday to issue a do-not-pass recommendation on a bill that would require school and public libraries to relocate books deemed “sexually explicit” to…

North Dakota Legacy Fund takes big hit amid stock market volatility

BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — North Dakota’s Legacy Fund lost about $1 billion in value last week as the stock market plunged, but the investments are managed to weather volatility, according to testimony from a legislative hearing this week. Jodi Smith, interim executive director of the Retirement and Investment Office, commented on the impact of the stock market fluctuations…

North Dakota Senate approves bathroom bill that would fine schools for noncompliance

Rep. Bill Tveit, R-Hazen, speaks during a Jan. 27, 2025, committee hearing on a bill to enforce school compliance with a law barring transgender students from using restrooms that align with their genders. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) The North Dakota Senate voted 40-7 on Thursday to pass a bill that prevents K-12 public schools from having…

Nuclear energy research gets green light in North Dakota

Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant 2016BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The North Dakota Legislature is opening the door for nuclear energy research in the state. The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed Senate Bill 2159 to allow the Energy and Environmental Research Center in Grand Forks to study nuclear energy. The House passed the EERC bill 57-32. The bill previously passed the…

North Dakota holds steady on marijuana penalties

Sen. Janne Myrdal, R-Edinburg, speaks on the Senate floor on April 9, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A bill that sought to reduce penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana in North Dakota failed in the Senate Wednesday on a 33-13 vote. House Bill 1596 would have reduced the penalty for possessing less than a half…

Resolution raising constitutional ballot measure threshold to 60% passes North Dakota Senate

Voters cast ballots 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 bill raising the public vote threshold to 60% to approve constitutional ballot measures in North Dakota passed the Senate Wednesday on a 33-13 vote. House Resolution 3003, sponsored by Rep. Robin Weisz, R-Hurdsfield, would…