north dakota legislature

Bills aim to improve access to dental care in North Dakota

patient’s teeth are cleaned by dental hygienistBISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Two bills being considered by the North Dakota Legislature strive to make dental care more accessible to low-income and under-represented populations across the state. Supporters say the bills are needed but merely begin to address unmet dental care needs in the state. House Bill 1567 would fund a study…

Senate narrowly approves adding position to North Dakota Ethics Commission

Rebecca Binstock, left, executive director of the North Dakota Ethics Commission, Logan Carpenter, center, general counsel for the Ethics Commission, and Alisha Maier, right, operations manager for the Ethics Commission, listen during a committee hearing on Jan. 31, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The North Dakota Ethics Commission may grow its staff by one after…

FMWF Chamber Attends Chamber Day at North Dakota Legislature

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — Local business leaders are in Bismarck to meet with the governor and lawmakers during a two-day trip. Things did run a little long today, but everyone left that conference room with smiles on their faces, saying that they were just so busy having positive conversations about business in the Fargo-Moorhead area. The Chamber Day at the…

National Non-Profit Speaks Out Against Resolution On ‘Kingship of Jesus Christ’ in North Dakota

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — Freedom From Religion Foundation is opposing a resolution that the North Dakota Legislature is considering. The resolution sponsored by Republican Rep. Nico Rios of Williston would have North Dakota acknowledge the ‘Kingship of Jesus Christ.’ If resolved it would be sent to the President, Governor and each member of the North Dakota Congressional delegation. The nonprofit…

North Dakota Legislators consider bill allowing school districts to hire chaplains

BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota legislators are considering a bill that would add chaplains to public schools in the state. HB 1456 would authorize $500,000 from the general fund to give to school districts for the purpose of paying for a chaplain position. The chaplain may also volunteer for the role. School districts would not be required to have a…

Petition for ballot measure on lawmaker salaries, public records withdrawn

BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A petition for a ballot measure to enshrine greater transparency for lawmaker records in the North Dakota Constitution was withdrawn, according to the Secretary of State’s Office. The petition, originally proposed Friday, sought to make all lawmaker communications regarding legislative business open records. The ballot petition’s chief sponsor, Jerol Gohrick of McGregor, emailed the Secretary…

Legislators hear testimony on library obscenity bill

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — North Dakota lawmakers heard testimony on a bill aimed at removing media people might find obscene from public libraries and school districts. SB 2307 requires material deemed harmful to minors to be put in a place where they cannot access it. Any person found responsible for willfully displaying such material would be guilty of a class…

Tenure ban for North Dakota colleges withdrawn, but policy debate continues

Rep. Mike Motschenbacher, R-Bismarck, works at his desk on the House floor on Jan. 24, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A bill in the North Dakota Legislature is again taking aim at tenure policies at the state’s public colleges, but an amendment offered Friday would allow tenure to remain. House Bill 1437 proposed to eliminate tenure…

Proposed ballot initiative targets lawmaker public records, salaries, conflicts

The Legislative Management Committee meets Nov. 13, 2024, in the House chamber. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Legislator communications, conflicts of interest and lawmaker pay and benefits are among the topics included in a proposed petition for a constitutional measure submitted to the Secretary of State’s Office on Friday. The measure would make all communications between…