north dakota legislature Archives - Page 30 of 36

Amended transgender sports bill applies only to K-12 teams

March 24, 2021

Jim Monk,

BISMARCK, N.D. – Some North Dakota senators have amended a transgender sports bill to make the legislation apply only to high school teams and not to college or club sports. The Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday voted 6-1 in favor of an amended version of a House bill passed last month. The amended bill would prohibit a publicly funded school…

North Dakota lawmakers want another pay raise

March 23, 2021

Jim Monk,

BISMARCK, N.D. – North Dakota legislators want a raise for the second straight session. The proposed pay boost for lawmakers is 1.5% in the first year of the two-year budget cycle and 2% in the second. The increase is equal to the level of raises for state employees and elected statewide public officials. Lawmakers are paid $518 a month, plus…

Hauck named to replace Simons in North Dakota House

March 12, 2021

Jim Monk,

BISMARCK, N.D. – A replacement representative for the seat of a North Dakota lawmaker expelled has been named. District 36 Republicans’ executive committee unanimously appointed Dori Hauck, of rural Richardton. She is a rancher, writer and music teacher, and has served as the secretary-treasurer for the district party since 2012. Hauck succeeds former representative Luke Simons, whom the House expelled…

Police chief wants tougher penalties for drug-related deaths

March 11, 2021

Jim Monk,

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/KFGO) – Fargo Police Chief Dave Zibolski told North Dakota lawmakers Thursday that he strongly supports a bill that would increase penalties for drug dealers if someone dies from the sale of their drugs. Zibolski said drug overdoses increased dramatically from 36 in 2018 to 91 in 2020, including 18 deaths last year. So far this year, Fargo…

Simons won’t challenge ouster from legislature

March 11, 2021

Jim Monk,

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/KCND) – Former Dickinson Republican State Representative Luke Simons won’t go to court over his expulsion from the Legislature. In a statement, Simons said if he were to take the matter to the state Supreme Court, it would take weeks for a decision – and as he put it, “The only way I can immediately correct this injustice…

Experts say public is not ready to forgo masks

It's still recommended in public that fully vaccinated people mask. Sounds a bit like a broken record, but that's what I think we still need to do,"

March 9, 2021

Aaron Walling,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – With the CDC updating its COVID-19 guidelines experts say we are not in the clear just yet. Parts of the country have already begun easing restrictions on mask mandates including North Dakota Legislature dropping mask usage within chambers and Grand Forks County forgoing all masks. Experts at Sanford Health say even with low case numbers and…

Lawmakers asked to eliminate citation envelopes

March 9, 2021

Jim Monk,

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Highway Patrol wants the Legislature to change a rule that requires law enforcement to provide a pre-addressed envelope with every traffic citation. The Patrol says the practice is a waste of money and an unneeded hassle for law enforcement because most people pay online, in person, or by phone. Troopers argue that law enforcement agencies…

Constitutional amendment would eliminate North Dakota property taxes

March 8, 2021

Jim Monk,

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/KCND) – A Bismarck lawmaker has introduced a state Constitutional amendment that would eliminate local property taxes. Republican Rep. Rick Becker told the House Judiciary Committee the state would take over funding for schools, parks, police, firefighters and other local government expenses. He also said this would not affect local control. There would be exceptions for special projects,…

Second Half Of North Dakota Legislative Session Begins

March 3, 2021

Jim Monk,

BISMARCK, N.D. — State lawmakers are back in Bismarck for the second half of the legislative session. North Dakota Public Radio’s Dave Thompson says the biggest item facing lawmakers is the multi-million dollar bonding bill, much of that for the FM Diversion Project. “As it stands right now, it’s $680 million for bonding, with virtually all of the money going…

Legislative leaders move to expel North Dakota House member

March 3, 2021

Jim Monk,

BISMARCK, N.D. – Republican and Democratic legislative leaders are finalizing a resolution to expel a North Dakota House member accused of threatening and sexually harassing women at the state Capitol. House Majority Leader Chet Pollert says a resolution to expel GOP Rep. Luke Simons will be introduced on the House floor Thursday. Pollert and Democratic House Minority Leader Josh Boschee…