[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6346682,"mediaKeyId","2246612-6ba9835edbcaaccc1fca9f7a88e8a6b8","parentId",2246612,"title","ND committee hears bill to require employers to allow religious rest; panel votes 'do not pass'","audioSeconds",2017,"startMs",421000,"endMs",2438000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2246612-6ba9835edbcaaccc1fca9f7a88e8a6b8&start=421&end=2438","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2246612-6ba9835edbcaaccc1fca9f7a88e8a6b8/thumbnail_421000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6346682/North-Dakota/ND-committee-hears-bill-to-require-employers-to-allow-religious-rest-panel-votes-do-not-pass","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346682-ad70ec78d6c5ff550790bad9c7c51150/orig.mp4?Expires=1775360865&Signature=avKfXirSBi-axVBjkthMnXNaTm5Q95f-4kpX5X-icVvkyuwiBoyGl6SvYJTNxyen4JCC52CzBcz5Cee0~A7zehCB1N85KBhNKoAnS66ehmpgaVXIzPzLSVJcP1NnBOlgn1-Rp4-udbPu8YkemF6nWkhx4rQNvmLfzrG5aJ0sfiI-nk0I9qXeq~LomZkd32y1oygx4vGXuvVvths7QjXy57UY4erY1-6u6yyD5zKekz0aRO9ovly1qf03t7wSvPHKGrOqCeizyFF7jf59F2NMnfJEAiqFEXJubjVoHuMQ-FBmdJOaHlqDHLWMb4u1kOT~w4Xn85XEyKTXLDaOflhfGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Industry, Business and Labor, ND","date","2025-02-05T00:00:00Z","article","House Bill 1608 would prohibit an employer from denying an employee leave “for rest or worship” on Sunday or “a day the employee recognizes as a religious holiday,” sponsor State Representative Matt Heilman said in testimony to the Industry, Business and Labor Committee. Representative Heilman said the bill responds to the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 2023 unanimous ruling in Groff v. DeJoy, which the sponsor said clarified the legal standard for “undue hardship.”

The bill drew questions about scope and enforceability from committee members, and several business groups and the state labor agency testified in opposition. Zachary Greenberg, interim commissioner of the North Dakota Department of Labor and Human Rights, told the committee the bill’s current language uses the term “emergency” rather than the Supreme Court’s “undue hardship” standard and that difference could create conflicts between state and federal law. “The emergency standard deviates significantly from the federal undue hardship test, which could lead to practical and legal challenges for employers,” Greenberg said.

Representatives and witnesses raised operational concerns about staffing for 24/7 businesses and small employers. Eric Spencer, president and CEO of the Greater North Dakota Chamber, warned the bill has “no limit on the number of days a person can take off for rest or worship” and said it lacks timing and notice requirements and does not address 24/7 industries or collective bargaining agreements. Mike Rood of the North Dakota Petroleum Marketers and Retail Association urged the committee not to pass the bill, saying retail and fuel businesses already manage complex scheduling and that the market is providing flexibility.

Sponsor Heilman said he and Representative Koppelman had drafted the bill to be broad and allow flexibility, and he acknowledged the bill needs language fixes: “I didn't catch this until a little bit ago … it doesn't say undue hardship. It says emergency. … Maybe crossing out emergency on the very last line and putting undue hardship would be more appropriate to align with that Supreme Court ruling,” Heilman told the committee.

Committee members asked for clearer notice requirements, limits on frequency of leave requests, and criteria for distinguishing legitimate religious observance from gaming the rule. Representative Johnson suggested adding a written-request requirement to create an evidence trail for investigations; several members worried that, without limits, employees could repeatedly claim days off. Heilman replied that undue-hardship protections would cover many problematic staffing scenarios and that he was open to amendments.

After public testimony and committee questions, Representative Bale moved a “do not pass” recommendation. The committee adopted the motion; the clerk recorded the committee’s outcome as a “do not pass” recommendation on House Bill 1608 (tally recorded in the hearing as 8–2–4).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Industry, Business and Labor- 2:29 p.m._Feb 5, 2025\t","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 1608 would prohibit an employer from denying an employee leave “for rest or worship” on Sunday or “a day the employee recognizes as a religious holiday,” sponsor State Representative Matt Heilman said in testimony to the Industry, Business and Labor Committee.","taxTitle","Industry, Business and Labor, House of Representatives, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28894,"location","North Dakota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6346677,"Committee advances bill to authorize cooperative financial institution charters with amendments",604,2440000,3044000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2246612-6ba9835edbcaaccc1fca9f7a88e8a6b8&start=2440&end=3044","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2246612-6ba9835edbcaaccc1fca9f7a88e8a6b8/thumbnail_2440000.jpg","/articles/6346677/North-Dakota/Committee-advances-bill-to-authorize-cooperative-financial-institution-charters-with-amendments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346677-4ecaeeeec0726f00a4302c1a0f5beaeb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775360865&Signature=Ejq8wM1J7VkP1mDYeYKSI17RH2MW-qHKqL7Ahv3pdDfweyFT4Zj4bsLMeDmqxK7FGtnFqFkbjT2IAVi2jKLYruc-kt5GwsvCT7~tQEHxlBSe1Pj91asw-yTjj0NOVF3816usuXdqNmv3tzDAgOKjUWOS~0IIKlGEzE7hC5sFMtY36tggJMXRg6tY2CHzTN3pa3J~enUSLrj3XLAnV7JWGV9XYbFBh5MehvGcQqbUsz6fsAANbe-Ihe45tbdvmpb1bSWfxu9XA-nubDPcEq0RzlGRjS56ZnaDoVRxndK2ZQxqz~80AaLj3YUBL03XRBklHHcol95kTY2S2lpnO9TJ8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 1507 would create a state-charter option for cooperative financial institutions, including mutual banks and similar entities, and set organizational and governance requirements. Representative Volmer (sponsor) explained the measure as restoring a state mutual-charter option that existed historically and would allow some institutions to convert from federal to state charters.

Committee members and Department of Financial Institutions staff discussed specifics of the amendment the sponsor proposed. Key changes the committee approved included clarifying that bylaws must specify quorum and authorized deposit accounts, and that a board of directors must include at least two members with appropriate banking experience and members who are U.S. citizens and North Dakota residents. Department staff and bankers explained “appropriate banking experience” would be assessed by the banking board during charter review.

Representative Ruby moved an amendment (cleanups and bylaw clarifications); the committee adopted the amendment by voice vote and later approved a do-pass recommendation for the bill as amended. Committee members said the measure provided a business-friendly option for chartering institutions under state law while leaving regulatory approvals with the Department of Financial Institutions and state banking authorities.

Representative Ruby told the committee she would carry the bill to the floor unless another member volunteered to do so.","House Bill 1507 would allow cooperative financial institutions to incorporate under a state mutual-charter structure, with bylaws and board requirements defined by statute and the Department of Financial Institutions’ approval.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6346668,"Committee advances increase to WSI home and vehicle adaptation caps after agency support",2379,4501000,6880000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2246612-6ba9835edbcaaccc1fca9f7a88e8a6b8&start=4501&end=6880","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2246612-6ba9835edbcaaccc1fca9f7a88e8a6b8/thumbnail_4501000.jpg","/articles/6346668/North-Dakota/Committee-advances-increase-to-WSI-home-and-vehicle-adaptation-caps-after-agency-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346668-77fb204c6ca881c3be2222a7210c87b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775360865&Signature=EhAkm51VATvCFdfpEmk0m1mieegeog8YyOeGUHuGfHTL8IhV7pA9CqTQ9WVwnp6ZQ2-lNIv~oi46zM3-eZD95JX7WgPmY5mOE1vwYcV1nxPavqKnzaJiot0Kc9eVnZMXnl6N1kinHDqFtwCPIPY~2JJ~q0LQTJLuIepeS1kWLFOWaU9rTHmCGmsrPCTc-Vx~m3PsgfOpJtrTgl12usde5BpMvqF1HwbPrblmZeVM4bIIeYEwAhFxSJTvUln2pyhuJtB3EwJDehTMOJRThksNDx5Evt1ih~eeyr0UfSc7KAiF5~MSt3hMV8zdNpUln5T8AhrYSy-ueTYs6w-0ZXaBzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 1423 would raise the statutory caps that Workforce Safety & Insurance (WSI) may pay for adaptations to an injured worker’s home and purchase or adaptation of motor vehicles. Sponsor Representative Cynthia Schreiberbeck said the real-estate adaptation cap would rise from $75,000 to $150,000 and the motor-vehicle adaptation cap from $150,000 to $200,000 under the amendment presented to the committee. The sponsor said several claimants are near current caps and the home cap had not been raised since 2011.

Jody Bjornson, general counsel for WSI, told the committee the WSI board “generally supports an increase in the fee caps” and is neutral regarding a proposed yearly adjustment tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Bjornson provided data showing the five-year average payout for vehicle modifications is roughly $112,000 and the five-year average for home modifications is about $38,000; she said only a small number of claimants approach current caps. WSI recommended rounding any CPI-based adjustment to the nearest $500 to simplify administration.

Committee members discussed whether to include an automatic CPI adjustment or simply set higher fixed caps. Representative Koppelman noted that CPI-based escalation would yield numbers similar to the amendment and that construction costs can outpace general CPI; members said they would consider administration simplicity versus future-proofing. Representative Ruby offered an amendment to remove the CPI escalator; the motion failed on committee roll call.

The committee adopted the sponsor’s amendment raising the caps and keeping the CPI provision in the adopted amendment. After final roll call, the committee voted to give House Bill 1423 a due-pass recommendation as amended; the committee also selected a floor carrier.","House Bill 1423 would raise WSI’s caps for home adaptations and motor-vehicle modifications for severely injured workers; WSI staff told lawmakers the agency supports raising the caps and asked that any CPI adjustments be rounded to the nearest $500.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6346673,"Committee clears amended bill on Dental Board complaint transparency, shrinks proposed changes",1060,3049000,4109000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2246612-6ba9835edbcaaccc1fca9f7a88e8a6b8&start=3049&end=4109","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2246612-6ba9835edbcaaccc1fca9f7a88e8a6b8/thumbnail_3049000.jpg","/articles/6346673/North-Dakota/Committee-clears-amended-bill-on-Dental-Board-complaint-transparency-shrinks-proposed-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346673-5326b1df5c02ec3d7655c4e960057ee1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775360865&Signature=WjC-4rceBIW279jGVrYM8YScuJMNHdGEm1vKQDbvNwA3TPRTjuHE~jHYGeab1RmOLNVoBvOA-wCSoWm66YdIN4oO71HDcJJU98TUNAyTDMUeClDY1JnCIljllkr0mu9GIFaYkTCGSuXNN4UmVY7EmvWzDNlgBXaENM6M70-gnwouI~hfIm1sS89JgHckWxlgzfCoAeXhsoeEn8d6pBM8bcRReb1bk0fZdg-Uk0WPRgAg5eFxrvCBU7WixwUij9A0ynSiT1pjPxBwYkQiN19c7tybwn5NVcTE087yCY-3NXDYBB-AEQwVPMskdrP3CwnWnL7Kq7l6b0FsWnu-Moj3nA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 1512 would change the composition and some complaint procedures for the North Dakota Board of Dental Examiners. Committee discussion focused on whether several proposed changes would reduce due-process protections or expand public disclosure of complaint files.

Representative Koppelman and others said they favored keeping a narrow change that would allow a complainant to receive a copy of the dentist’s written response to a complaint (subject to redaction for privacy), while removing broader changes that would have made other complaint handling less transparent or created new civil-suit avenues. Several committee members, including Representative Johnson, said the board appears to handle complaints and disciplinary action in most cases and that only a minority of complaints lead to formal action.

After debate the committee adopted a focused amendment that kept the written-response requirement (subsection 3 on page 2) and removed the more expansive changes on page 3 that members described as the bill’s most problematic elements. Representative Koppelman offered the floor amendment; the committee approved an amended do-pass recommendation. Committee members said they would prefer not to expand routine disclosure of complaint files when the board finds no cause for discipline, noting privacy and reputational concerns raised by a board witness.

The committee voted to give House Bill 1512 a due-pass recommendation as amended; Representative Koppelman accepted carriage to the floor.","Members debated House Bill 1512, which would change complaint-handling and board composition for the Board of Dental Examiners. Lawmakers removed broader proposed changes after concerns about due process and public access, and limited the amendment to require complainants receive a copy of a dentist’s written response.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

ND committee hears bill to require employers to allow religious rest; panel votes 'do not pass'

Committee advances bill to authorize cooperative financial institution charters with amendments

Committee advances increase to WSI home and vehicle adaptation caps after agency support

Committee clears amended bill on Dental Board complaint transparency, shrinks proposed changes