north dakota legislature

Lawmakers debating bill to legalize recreational marijuana

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Legislature is considering a bill that would legalize marijuana for recreational use with restrictions. Backers of legislation believe the recent legalization of the drug by voters in Montana and South Dakota means it’s likely inevitable that it will happen in North Dakota. Lawmakers say they want to be ready with rules to control and…

Senate okays amendment that bans NDSU from taking Planned Parenthood grant

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/KCND) – The North Dakota Senate has passed an amendment that would prohibit NDSU from accepting grant money from Planned Parenthood. The $10.5 million grant would be used to train teachers how to talk with students about sex.  Some state lawmakers and Christian groups have called on NDSU to end the program. Turtle Lake Republican Sen. Howard Anderson…

North Dakota Senate rejects bill to ban abortion clinics within 30 miles of a school

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/KCND) – The North Dakota Senate has rejected a bill that would prohibit abortion clinics from operating within 30 miles of a school. Opponents of the measure say it would supersede the authority of local governments to make zoning decisions. Turtle Lake Republican Senator Howard Anderson says if the bill passed, the state would, in effect, be “banging…

North Dakota Senate kills bill targeting app stores

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Senate has killed a bill seeking to ban companies such as Apple and Google from requiring app developers to exclusively use their app store and payment system. Only 11 of the chamber’s 47 senators voted in favor of the bill Wednesday. Republican Sen. Kyle Davison, of Fargo, said his bill sought to “level the…

Bill allows concealed guns at public events

BISMARCK, N.D. – Some pro-gun North Dakota legislators are taking another shot at allowing people to carry concealed guns at sporting and athletic events. Dickinson Republican Luke Simons’ bill also would cut nearly two dozen items from the state’s list of dangerous weapon.  Almost all of the testimony Monday was centered around narrowing the list of dangerous weapons. No one…

‘Mugshot bill’ fails in North Dakota House

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/KCND) – The North Dakota House has rejected the so-called “mug shot” bill. The bill would have prohibited police from releasing mugshot photos of suspects arrested and booked into jail. Supporters of the bill say the photos can cause harm to someone who was jailed, but later found not guilty. Finley Republican Rep. Bill Devlin, who opposed the…

North Dakota lawmakers vote against abortion clinic zoning bill

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…

Bill establishes committee to decide if North Dakota will enforce federal laws

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…