north dakota legislature

Grand Forks School Board Reviews Complaint Over 6 Books

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (KVRR/KFGO) — Grand Forks School Board reviews a complaint about six books in school libraries. The board agreed with a committee recommendation that the books remain, though not all decisions were unanimous. Grand Forks County Commission recently received another complaint about two books. The State’s Attorney referred the complaint to police, and it was determined that no…

North Dakota lawmakers eye Minnesota free tuition program that threatens enrollment

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota lawmakers and higher education leaders are beginning to chart a path for how to respond to neighboring Minnesota’s upcoming program that will offer income-based free tuition to thousands of students. Higher education leaders on Wednesday detailed the situation to an interim legislative panel. A state senator also presented a bill draft proposing a North…

Pembina Gorge To Become 14th State Park of North Dakota

Pembina Gorge west of Walhalla on the Rendezvous Region Scenic BackwayCAVALIER CO., N.D. (KVRR) — North Dakota is getting its first state park since 1989. Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area will be developed into the state’s 14th state park, just west of Walhalla near the border with Canada. The 2023 legislative session approved $6 million in funding with another $2…

Fargo Human Rights Commission backs Gandhi for ignoring state laws regarding trans students

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – The Fargo Human Rights Commission has voted unanimously to support Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Rupak Gandhi for ignoring new state laws that would create a number of restrictions related to trans students. Commissioners say they’re aware of how this legislative session has been anxiety-inducing for many children and their families. They cited data from the North…

Gov. Burgum Signs Anti-Trans and Indian Child Bills

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/AP) — North Dakota’s biennial legislative session wrapped up it’s work last weekend but Gov. Doug Burgum is still signing bills. It is now law for public school teachers and state government employees to ignore the pronouns their transgender students and colleagues use. The bill requires teachers to tell a parent or legal guardian if the student identifies…

N.D. Legislative Session Ends With Passage of Nearly $20 Billion Budget

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/KFGO) — North Dakota lawmakers ended the legislative session this morning by approving a record budget of $19.6 billion. The session gaveled out at 2:55 a.m. Sunday. “Motion carries and the North Dakota House of Representatives is adjourned sine die.” The legislature met for 75 days, five days less than the maximum 80 days allowed. Among the final…

Deal Reached On Income And Property Tax Relief at N.D. Legislature

House Fails to Override Burgum Veto on Private School Tuition Bill

BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota House and Senate negotiators have agreed on a big tax cut package that includes both income tax and property tax relief. The plan would reduce existing income tax brackets from five to three. Income taxes on the lowest bracket would be eliminated. That would be for single filers under $45,000 a year and married couples…

Fargo’s Approval Voting System Lives On After State Senate Fails To Override Veto

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/KFGO) — North Dakota Senate fails to override Gov. Doug Burgum’s veto of the approval voting ban. Fargo will be able to continue using the voting method in its city elections. Voters passed the voting method through a ballot measure in 2018. The House overrode the governor’s veto last week but the Senate fell four votes short of…

Bill to ban abortion at six weeks advances in North Dakota

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Lawmakers in North Dakota’s House passed a bill Monday that would criminalize abortions after six weeks of gestation — even in cases of rape or incest, the Bismarck Tribune reported. The bill still requires approval from the Senate and governor to become law. Opponents of the bill said six weeks is too early to ban abortions because…