[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6319039,"mediaKeyId","2364216-f52963fce7c0e95bedc1ef8b40771f54","parentId",2364216,"title","Committee hears proposal to require single subject for constitutional amendments","audioSeconds",2705,"startMs",330000,"endMs",3035000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2364216-f52963fce7c0e95bedc1ef8b40771f54&start=330&end=3035","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2364216-f52963fce7c0e95bedc1ef8b40771f54/thumbnail_330000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6319039/North-Dakota/Committee-hears-proposal-to-require-single-subject-for-constitutional-amendments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6319039-8ef2eab98c54966bbf37abbe4abaf52e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775322292&Signature=oxtb97EFlHrPoZ7CySVrirD68SLL-M8HP08-jONHMuVNAbFAReUUqZw9hlJ8y5E5Ao50RZ8M5z5DzW9H8o2yyyhHSYW4-I3MIFE9pdS6dgvn51V6sJvbjKelF89vmpS01NAKmR2GAjLSZxqn1vNK7npk4tp3F28OmxFMySNFdAmGVx17TowFYkhid51NFwMV-x1zuGjnuL-aiz6FimGsFs6aiRdwqlPCAj5E7XtPqqHSzWZqyDpdafY~CTq9sOSHGWiKJjggi6~ML6rw4Z~i8zF1bRjGexzlTgqNqASxkCSPSkt5aKYKOflSipUK3I9IUAV7KNThmLR2uB6aAN9iwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota State Legislature","date","2025-02-20T00:00:00Z","article","Senator Hogue, the prime sponsor, told the State and Local Government Committee he was offering what he called \"a modest proposal to refine the process by which we amend our state constitution.\" He said Senate Concurrent Resolution 4,007 would require that each proposed constitutional amendment be comprised of a single subject and would give the secretary of state discretion to refuse measures that encompass more than one subject.

Supporters said a single-subject rule would protect voters from “bait and switch” measures. Ed Schaffer, who identified himself as a North Dakota citizen from Fargo, told the committee the requirement would \"ensure that voters can make informed decisions without being confused or misled by multiple potentially unrelated topics presented together.\" Schaffer urged the committee to support SCR 4,007.

Opponents and neutral witnesses urged the committee to tighten the language and add procedural guardrails. Kevin Herman, a Beulah voter who opposed the resolution, pointed to prior ballot measures on Article 3 that voters rejected in 2020 and 2024 and asked why sponsors were again pursuing the change. Dustin Geverlo of the North Dakota Watchdog Network said the idea of a single-subject rule \"is good in theory\" but warned the measure lacks a definition of \"subject,\" risks weaponization if a single official (the secretary of state) has final discretion, and could unfairly require petition circulators to spend time and money only to have a measure later disqualified.

Geverlo recommended several changes, including (1) defining what a single subject means or adopting a \"functionally related and germane\" clause used by some states, (2) requiring the secretary of state to consult the attorney general when evaluating measures, (3) making the single-subject determination before permission to circulate, and (4) creating a fast, affordable appeals process so grassroots committees are not priced out of judicial review.

Senator Lee and others asked whether the sponsor intended the measure to apply only to constitutional amendments placed on the ballot by petition or also to constitutional measures the legislature puts on the ballot. Senator Hogue reiterated his bill is focused on constitutional amendments and includes a provision that would require the legislature to follow the same single-subject limit for constitutional measures it places on the ballot.

The committee took public testimony and did not take final action on the resolution during the hearing.

The hearing record shows proponents stressed transparency and voter clarity, while analysts emphasized the practical and legal details that would be needed to make a single-subject rule work in practice.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate State and Local Government Thursday, Feb 20, 2025 8:55 AM - 11:45 AM","oneSentenceSummary","Senator Hogue, the prime sponsor, told the committee SCR 4,007 would require every proposed amendment to the state constitution to address a single subject and would give the secretary of state discretion to bar multi‑subject measures from the ballot.","taxTitle","State and Local Government, Senate, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28908,"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},6319023,"Bill would bar registered lobbyists from chamber floors; proponents cite quiet work space, opponents call it a step backward",2631,7587000,10218000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2364216-f52963fce7c0e95bedc1ef8b40771f54&start=7587&end=10218","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2364216-f52963fce7c0e95bedc1ef8b40771f54/thumbnail_7587000.jpg","/articles/6319023/North-Dakota/Bill-would-bar-registered-lobbyists-from-chamber-floors-proponents-cite-quiet-work-space-opponents-call-it-a-step-backward","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6319023-cfb1a6013c30d13fd10b2b280308b888/orig.mp4?Expires=1775322292&Signature=Fk6EUUgmoM9J8DQvmWejxrGVduHV3FGApw1RZdEDOO5z6jGb4LX~cc1eVU2IGbAaJp5qaaS7wCVDdql5~APCPs2Nz6BMg2zI6As42yLrO6Jwkmyp40R5LA~tK6FVAjOHs4urH93tl58jubVLJi4sX3dV8XYpHYmdV454j7kGiFbbCgXixT1PMxokAdEoEHe1qPkH3q0UuXOfDOzdoCQ1WnbeSp8~gmca9PVNQXWBWEQbyu-MOI5WW4ydbhBYM4p1TxMAmrYkzD5wcsF8-YVA1aUL4NqvSa7IoRo0M0IxH-FSDTA7wqCcK9baUaOmBJHIy-Pji9r1eXZmiMpeHk305Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 2315, sponsored by Senator Grama, would prohibit registered lobbyists from being on the floor of the legislative chambers and make a violation a misdemeanor. The bill would allow lobbyists in the gallery and in other areas of the building and would permit entry to the majority leader’s office with written permission, according to the sponsor’s explanation.

Supporters described the measure as a way to preserve the chamber as a workspace for lawmakers. Lanny Kenner testified in favor and said, \"Our our legislators need a safe place away from the lobbyists,\" and urged legislators to spend more time taking constituent input rather than hearing from lobbyists on the chamber floor.

Several members of the committee and multiple industry witnesses opposed the bill. Julie Ellingson of the North Dakota Stockmen's Association told the committee restricting lobbyists from the chambers would \"impair, not improve, the legislative process in North Dakota\" given the state's citizen legislature and lack of staff. Jonathan Fortner of the Lignite Energy Council and Jeff Simon of the Western Dakota Energy Association said lobbyists serve as educators who gather information from members and operators, sort technical details and bring back concise, timely information to legislators who otherwise lack the staff to perform that work.

Committee members raised operational and fairness questions. Senator Brownberger asked whether a rule granting access only through the majority leader could disadvantage the minority party; Senator Castaneda and others asked how the proposal would affect constituents who register as lobbyists to speak on behalf of organizations. Sponsor Senator Grama said the bill was intended to create quieter workspace on the floor and pointed to other states with time limits or floor restrictions; he acknowledged the criminal penalty language was present in current law and was not newly introduced by his bill.

The committee heard multiple witnesses and did not advance the bill during the hearing.","Senate Bill 2315 would prohibit registered lobbyists from being on the legislative chamber floors and attach a misdemeanor penalty for violations; sponsor said the move would create a quieter workspace for lawmakers.",{"_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},6319027,"Senator Lewick proposes giving property owners voting rights on bond and property tax questions in districts where they own land",226,4633000,4407000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2364216-f52963fce7c0e95bedc1ef8b40771f54&start=4633&end=4407","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2364216-f52963fce7c0e95bedc1ef8b40771f54/thumbnail_4633000.jpg","/articles/6319027/North-Dakota/Senator-Lewick-proposes-giving-property-owners-voting-rights-on-bond-and-property-tax-questions-in-districts-where-they-own-land","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6319027-06aaa113f4636d532ed8d7e3ede4858d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775322292&Signature=NVg-yjiGfa1n97jUlXwvzWjl3iSSYaNXPiYjyETdWyRXKNsuuVZC3iIWeeg7KwCoaIZL~E2vpaPEsWvc1MuDMIicDdNU6tu4IIjlA25MF3SM4blEvCOI64dmVc0YmK4b4TcEf1FrqoHLOo4Tb5bM~08-sdqgUlt5jDjwswGdu79S8go-iqsEhYK4KupiOarVGnMBtwpDKuw0e9A-1Df-zIQh6MOSI6d3g-TTmRzxFo~PKopmZKqbhS5VrkOKKKb01MZChVLtEOpU5dQ00jycU1Tw8Iow~zfWaYtwq2V1gFDv0pf-pZHZ-9FWqxlQ9KWkJKZPDYERfcLlZkQ-BBs1JA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Larry Lewick introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 4,022, a proposal aimed at allowing individuals who own property in a taxing district but reside elsewhere to vote on ballot questions related to property tax or bonds affecting that property.

Senator Lewick told the committee the proposal responds to cases where property owners—farmers, absentee owners and out‑of‑state owners—have an interest in local bond or levy votes but cannot vote because their primary residence is in another district. He emphasized that his intent was not to change general residency voting rights but to give an additional, narrowly focused franchise for property‑related elections.

Committee members raised practical and legal questions about administration. Senator Wallen and Senator Lee asked how counties would verify ownership and prevent double voting, whether separate ballots would be required for property‑only electors, and how the measure would interact with current voter‑ID and precinct procedures. Senator Lewick said he proposed a delayed effective date (August 2027 in the draft) to allow counties and election officials time to resolve those operational issues.

No formal action was taken during the hearing. The record includes requests that sponsors provide additional drafting to address verification, to define whether multiple owners would receive a single vote and to identify whether any other states use a comparable system.","Senator Larry Lewick asked the committee to consider a constitutional change that would allow property owners who live outside a taxing district to vote on property‑tax or bonding questions affecting parcels they own.",{"_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},6319032,"Senator applies for Article V convention on congressional term limits; proponents and opponents debate risks",2134,4975000,7109000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2364216-f52963fce7c0e95bedc1ef8b40771f54&start=4975&end=7109","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2364216-f52963fce7c0e95bedc1ef8b40771f54/thumbnail_4975000.jpg","/articles/6319032/North-Dakota/Senator-applies-for-Article-V-convention-on-congressional-term-limits-proponents-and-opponents-debate-risks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6319032-0f8c820ad056a6ea946671182e2a83b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775322292&Signature=ZnZfNFvPlAkvutr6SOXjTPTIQikMojU7ZiPfHaNL3050treHb~1-M6J5aWva09Ijh6~0PtuM16BfmlNpdaLZ4Tp0~hbbVjQtTUy6x1MaTZ88tBNqLWdVuX0u00Fd5DX06ULbilTphF8afMunlD868Rt2EzizMvIbxTbhJeKD1iO8mYawmDHdLB2cmcLAsvvJRxR6IZ6fXv9vk521oNs8nYDUWaR5jCvyEWENwFVZTp3Lj70Ybp7XLTU5eagM6up~ij0QV~s2rmeBrP4BfjNm6k-u6D571b1h9COqhK2FJkOWVZcJ7bUcjPSIzvAeqZxMzmjiKV0QzkxZdlAOe922qA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Magram introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 40‑11, a single‑subject application asking Congress to call an Article V convention limited to proposing an amendment imposing term limits on members of the U.S. House and Senate.

Senator Magram told the committee he supports an Article V convention specifically to pursue congressional term limits and said the resolution is intended to aggregate with other states' applications to reach the two‑thirds threshold that would require Congress to act. \"I feel like I would be representing the people because that's what they want in this state,\" he told the committee.

Scott Tillman of U.S. Term Limits urged the committee to pass the resolution and argued that congressional action is unlikely without pressure from states: \"Without this pressure, Congress has no incentive to limit their own terms,\" he testified, adding that state applications have led Congress historically to preempt conventions by proposing amendments itself.

Opponents warned of risks from a convention. Former Representative Rose Christiansen testified in opposition and urged the committee to reject SCR 40‑11. She noted a 2017 North Dakota application on file with the National Archivist that already called for a convention on term limits and argued that the Article V route is untested and carries risks that Congress or a convention could change ratification procedures or consider subjects beyond what sponsors promise. Christiansen cautioned that a convention could become a vehicle for broad constitutional revision rather than a single amendment.

Committee members questioned the scope and possible consequences. Senator Lee asked how proposed term limits would affect seniority and committee influence. Senator Magram said the convention would determine details and that supporters favor limits that would reset seniority across states.

The committee took testimony and did not take a final vote during the hearing.","Senate Concurrent Resolution 40‑11 would ask Congress to call a limited constitutional convention to propose term limits for members of the U.S. House and Senate. Supporters said passing would pressure Congress to act; opponents warned of a \"runaway\" convention and cited existing applications and historical precedents.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6319037,"Opponents urge committee to respect voters' 2022 approval as hearing opens on term‑limits resolution",1586,3075000,4661000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2364216-f52963fce7c0e95bedc1ef8b40771f54&start=3075&end=4661","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2364216-f52963fce7c0e95bedc1ef8b40771f54/thumbnail_3075000.jpg","/articles/6319037/North-Dakota/Opponents-urge-committee-to-respect-voters-2022-approval-as-hearing-opens-on-termlimits-resolution","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6319037-36d1d952ccefdafe7b96b2ff1181fc6a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775322292&Signature=l-2Ff5cKu8puVtEXFkDbgsB6BacfIraI3rZCaM5BZWZHHhfpO4Gj3rhKhdFUDkMo4HXgeIpyXEklSwcvVXdbQsNrzSDZJeOupHkKWGIm52hlq3U7K4iQ2k4c9WN1PL0AuZ6Hefs6iejYgo9cvcvF6qSjCeuHfSx20g~NQVDOypLY8NVKj~cuKIvnePfI-xWIvxM6jd06D2Iia9NpzOiVColsMviv-AX08AlQk35lRcNNJXSRtueBzwS-fGAxw4EgY0JvYUUwNwdHAsUS~q79HGgaDRimhygvgbSvBGgkz2l29cGjHkOIceQ9DG460Izgp72a1UimwjhzDoSagDlpoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee opened a hearing on Senate Concurrent Resolution 4,008, a measure addressed by multiple witnesses as an attempt to alter or circumvent voter‑approved legislative term limits. Testimony focused on whether the legislature has authority under Article 4 to propose changes the electorate reserved to citizen initiative.

Scott Tillman, chief operations officer for U.S. Term Limits, testified in opposition to SCR 4,008. He said the 2022 amendment limiting legislative terms included language that reserves authority to change those limits to the people through the initiative process and that the legislature is therefore prohibited from proposing changes to those term limits. Tillman told the committee the group will continue pushing for a national article‑V convention to impose term limits on Congress but urged lawmakers to \"honor the choice of voters from only 2 years ago, and oppose SCR 4,008.\"

Multiple witnesses from around the state echoed that position. Lanny Kenner, a District 7 resident, asked the committee to give SCR 4,008 a \"do not pass\" recommendation, saying the voters approved term limits with more than 63 percent support in 2022 and that changing the rule would be a \"slap in the face\" to citizens. Dustin Geverlo of the North Dakota Watchdog Network said he drafted language used in Section 4 of Article 15 and that the provision reserved to the people the right to change the term-limits provision; he urged clarity on partial terms and suggested drafting changes to avoid unintended gaps caused by vacancies or redistricting.

Senators on the committee asked how the amendment affects current legislators. Senator Brownberger said the change already affects some members who now face shortened term limits as a result of redistricting and staggered terms. Senators and witnesses debated whether the legislature should be able to correct drafting errors or address partial terms without returning to voters.

The committee held testimony and left the record open; no vote occurred during the hearing.","Witnesses and lawmakers debated Senate Concurrent Resolution 4,008, a resolution tied to legislative term limits. Proponents argued courts and future campaigns could make the change necessary; opponents said the 2022 voter-approved term limits expressly restrict the legislature from altering them and urged the committee to defer to voters.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears proposal to require single subject for constitutional amendments

Bill would bar registered lobbyists from chamber floors; proponents cite quiet work space, opponents call it a step backward

Senator Lewick proposes giving property owners voting rights on bond and property tax questions in districts where they own land

Senator applies for Article V convention on congressional term limits; proponents and opponents debate risks

Opponents urge committee to respect voters' 2022 approval as hearing opens on term‑limits resolution