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…
BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Legislature is considering a measure that requires the state health officer to be a practicing licensed physician. The Republican-backed bill comes after three health officers chosen by Gov. Doug Burgum quit during a time the coronavirus pandemic was worsening. Dirk Wilke, who has no medical training, has been the interim state health officer since…
BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota House has endorsed a bill requiring the state’s courts to seal drunken driving records if the offender stays out of trouble for at least seven years. Representatives voted 89-3 on Monday to approve the bill that backers said was aimed at giving convicted drunken drivers who stay out of trouble better odds of getting…
(DEA photo)BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/KCND) – The North Dakota House has passed a bill which would add spoons, stericups and cotton syringe filters to the needle exchange program. The vote in the Human Services Committee was 7 to 6 for a “do pass.” Fargo Democratic Representative Gretchen Dobervich supports the measure. She says it would provide sterilized supplies that prevent the…
BISMARCK, N.D. – A bipartisan North Dakota bill that would have required clergy to be included in state law as mandatory reporters of child abuse has been withdrawn. West Fargo Republican Sen. Judy Lee withdrew the legislation on Friday, saying the bill has become a distraction. The Roman Catholic dioceses in Fargo and Bismarck had opposed the bill. Private discussions between…
FM Diversion BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/KCND) – The FM Diversion Project would receive $435.5 million from a Republican-sponsored bonding bill in the North Dakota legislature. “I know it’ll take a few years to get that done, but if we get that off the table, then we can start looking bigger” House Majority Leader Chet Pollert said. The $800 million bill also…
