north dakota legislature

Prison sentencing bill revised, adds study of North Dakota justice system

Rep. Lawrence Klemin, R-Bismarck, leads a meeting of the House Judiciary Committee on March 24, 2025. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A committee passed amendments and removed a key provision in a contentious prison sentencing bill Monday. The House Judiciary Committee still gave Senate Bill 2128 a do-not-pass recommendation. Committee chair Rep. Lawrence Klemin, R-Bismarck, who…

Tax exemption for oil wells outside North Dakota core areas approved by Senate

A gas flare burns in front of an oil pump jack near Killdeer, North Dakota, on Feb. 1, 2024. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A bill to create tax incentives for oil drilling outside of North Dakota’s primary production areas passed the Senate on Monday, along with a possible study of the rising number of low-producing…

North Dakota Catholic bishops urge parishioners to advocate for Education Savings Accounts

The Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, part of the Catholic Diocese of Bismarck, sits on Raymond Street on Sept. 18, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Bishops from the Catholic dioceses of Bismarck and Fargo signed a joint letter Sunday urging parishioners across the state to contact their legislators and advocate for Education Savings Accounts. Senate…

Health agencies scramble as North Dakota loses federal grants

Pam Sagness, executive director of Behavioral Health Division for North Dakota Health and Human Services, speaks during a meeting of the Budget Section, Human Resources Division, on Sept. 18, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Some North Dakota health agencies are trying to adjust to the sudden loss of federal funding. The North Dakota Department of…

North Dakota Senate defeats amended conversion therapy bill

Rep. Lori VanWinkle, R-Minot, speaks in favor of a bill to legalize conversion therapy at a House Human Services Committee meeting on Jan. 21, 2025. (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The Senate on Thursday defeated a bill 22-25 that originally sought to legalize conversion therapy. Initially, House Bill 1430 bill would have authorized social workers to provide “a…

Committee advances North Dakota property tax bill but reduces level of tax credit

Senate Majority Leader Sen. David Hogue, R-Minot, speaks during a meeting of the Senate Appropriations Committee on March 27, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The North Dakota Senate Appropriations Committee advanced a property tax bill Thursday, but adopted amendments such as reducing the proposed tax credit for homeowners. Senate Majority Leader Sen. David Hogue, R-Minot,…

North Dakota Lawmakers To Vote On Ending Daylight Saving Time

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — Legislators are considering a bill that would eliminate Daylight Saving Time in North Dakota. The Senate, State, and Local Government committee heard testimony from many groups and individuals both for and against the bill. While a historian and a sleep physician were among those in favor of the bill, groups opposed include a sports league, general…

ND legislators consider bill creating alert for missing indigenous people

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — A new alert could be coming to North Dakota, focused on missing Indigenous people. It’s being called a Feather Alert, and it would be used in similar situations as an Amber Alert. The alert system would be under the control of Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the highway patrol. Law enforcement would activate the alert only…

Insulin caps bill headed to North Dakota governor

Nina Kritzberger, 16, speaks before the Government and Veteran Affairs Committee in favor of an insulin cap for the North Dakota commercial insurance market on Jan. 9, 2025. (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The Senate on Tuesday voted 39-7 to pass a bill to cap monthly insulin costs for more North Dakotans. House Bill 1114 would limit…

Bill would allow courts to award restitution payments to children of victims of criminal vehicular homicide

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — The North Dakota Senate Judiciary committee heard testimony on a bill that would allow courts to award restitution to children of victims of criminal vehicular homicide. HB 1558 would give judges the ability to award the restitution only if the parent or guardian dies. Severe, or debilitating injuries would not apply. The court would take into…