BISMARCK, N.D. – A North Dakota Senate panel has refused to endorse a bill prohibiting any new abortion clinics from opening within 30 miles of a school. The bill would also prevent the Red River Women’s Clinic in Fargo, the state’s only abortion clinic, from expanding. The Senate Political Subdivisions Committee on Thursday gave the bill a “do-not-pass” recommendation, after…
BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/KCND) – The North Dakota House has approved a bill that could mean the state would not have to enforce federal laws it doesn’t agree with. The measure sets up a committee to review the federal laws in question, and then make a recommendation to the full Legislature on whether those laws will be followed or not. Opponents…
BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) – An advocacy group wants North Dakota lawmakers to make the legislature’s redistricting process “open and accessible” to everyone. “North Dakota Voters First” is opposing a bill that would exempt draft versions of redistricting maps from state open records laws. Spokesperson Ellen Chaffee says the bill keeps early versions of legislative maps secret. She says that’s unacceptable…
BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/KCND) – A bill requiring North Dakota’s Presidential electors to cast their ballots for the candidate who won the state’s popular vote is making its way through the Legislature. Right now, the state does not have such a law. Former GOP State Senator John Olson was an elector in 2016, when Donald Trump won the state. Olson says…
BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/KCND) – A North Dakota House committee is considering two bills that would raise tobacco taxes. One would raise the tax on a pack of cigarettes by $1.00, bringing the tax to $1.44. The other bill would raise taxes on other tobacco products. Tim Blasl, president of the North Dakota Hospital Association, told the House Finance and Taxation…
Early voting in FargoBISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/KCND) – A bill that limits early voting dates to 9 days before Election Day has been approved in the North Dakota House. Early voting is currently allowed up to 15 days before an election. Grand Forks Republican Representative Steve Vetter carried the bill on the House floor. “Although we want early voting, we don’t…
BISMARCK (KVRR/KCND) – The North Dakota Senate has changed its mind and voted to allow alcohol sales in bars and restaurants beginning at 8 a.m. Sundays. Currently, sales are allowed after 11 am Sunday. Mandan Republican Senator Doug Larsen argued in favor of the bill. “This could allow a business to serve a crew that works a graveyard shift. An…
BISMARCK, N.D. – A proposal to reimburse North Dakota lawmakers for meals beyond their per diem payments could be included in a longer-term study of overall expense reimbursements. Republican Rep. Keith Kempenich introduced a bill Thursday that would reimburse state lawmakers from outside Bismarck for meals on days when they’re in session. A legislative estimate says the bill, called the…
BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Senate has endorsed legislation that would limit emergency or disaster declarations by a governor and allow the Legislature more oversight of executive branch action. The bill was passed along party lines on Thursday. All seven Democrats in the Senate opposed the measure. It now heads to the House. The legislation was inspired by a rash…
BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/KCND) – The North Dakota House has rejected a bill that would have dropped the requirement for seat belt use among people 18 and older. Supporters say the bill was introduced in response to a Senate bill that would make the state’s seat belt law a “primary” offense. Th current law makes it a “secondary” offense, meaning drivers…
