[{"_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",6294890,"mediaKeyId","2521286-065dc6c8c4343bdaedefeb86e17b0894","parentId",2521286,"title","Committee approves adding retention component to rural attorney incentive program","audioSeconds",1644,"startMs",507000,"endMs",2151000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2521286-065dc6c8c4343bdaedefeb86e17b0894&start=507&end=2151","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2521286-065dc6c8c4343bdaedefeb86e17b0894/thumbnail_507000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6294890/North-Dakota/Committee-approves-adding-retention-component-to-rural-attorney-incentive-program","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6294890-cc7e9a8c4a0a53f60c85431ea642647e/orig.mp4?Expires=1774881395&Signature=CYczNvlQT84CVe3gNklUwukrIB~vcr96gb97r1M0Z~EAfRbtYoXuNkssD18Xgx4OGuBqZqbStQGm02LpKZv7mG48LM5sD780zxA7zwndU1rnqsiDdjSAzY~E7fjRut8LUJe~C0l-dC9EVeUqutKA5mU8tBygX6Wsan6R7w39beEtXyBI0PJ0kO6utjRXxCR8enyw1ITNtAhVune0Ts4amg7d4hVSqvLZr2iL-v99qYQoJsdKVEv61-pwPDCAL0Fk9ANgmsfXFYfM3sOG5wAblsSLCIcDzGh2-VgCLcvfeGWNznieCgOfKNavJ0OVFiZuUtotNBXyDMdg1Hl28VgbLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota State Legislature","date","2025-03-06T00:00:00Z","article","The Political Subdivisions Committee on a voice vote recommended a due pass for Senate Bill 22‑11, a bill that adds a retention component to North Dakota’s attorney recruitment program for rural areas.

Senator Brad Beckettall, sponsor and District 1 representative from Williston, told the committee the legislation preserves the existing cap of eight eligible attorney positions while allowing incentives to be used to retain attorneys already practicing in underserved counties. “At the request of the State Bar Association and the Judicial Branch, this bill seeks to add now a retention component to the program,” Beckettall said. He said the program began two sessions ago to provide incentives for attorneys to practice where there is a shortage and was later expanded from four to eight positions.

Judge Michael Hurley, who testified in favor and identified himself as chair of the Supreme Court’s ad hoc committee for the attorney recruitment program, described the effort as one he helped start. Hurley said the program is intended to place and, where useful, retain attorneys in rural communities so shortages do not recur. He explained the program requires a five‑year commitment from participating attorneys.

The bill does not carry a fiscal note, Beckettall and other supporters said, because funding for the eight positions is already included in base budgets or contributed by partner entities such as the judicial branch and the State Bar Association. Committee members asked how the $45,000 incentive described in testimony would apply; committee members were told the $45,000 can be applied to retention as well as initial recruitment.

Jonathan Byers, appearing for the North Dakota State’s Attorneys Association, told the committee the association supports the bill and asked the record to reflect that the intent was not to exclude elected or appointed state’s attorneys from eligibility in counties where they are the only practicing attorney. Byers said that in some rural counties the elected state’s attorney may be the only lawyer available.

Representative Clamine moved a due‑pass recommendation; Representative Polanski seconded. The clerk reported the roll call: Senate Bill 22‑11 received a due pass, 11 yea, 0 nay, 2 absent not voting.

The bill maintains the program’s structure (eight positions and a five‑year commitment) and adds flexibility to use incentive payments for retention when judicial and bar leaders determine that will best preserve local legal capacity.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Political Subdivisions Thursday, Mar 6, 2025 2:20 PM - 4:14 PM","oneSentenceSummary","The Political Subdivisions Committee on a voice vote recommended a due pass for Senate Bill 22‑11, a bill that adds a retention component to North Dakota’s attorney recruitment program for rural areas.","taxTitle","Political Subdivisions, House of Representatives, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28896,"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},6294880,"Committee approves mechanism to let cities, counties clean up home rule charters after state law or court changes",1875,4151000,6026000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2521286-065dc6c8c4343bdaedefeb86e17b0894&start=4151&end=6026","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2521286-065dc6c8c4343bdaedefeb86e17b0894/thumbnail_4151000.jpg","/articles/6294880/North-Dakota/Committee-approves-mechanism-to-let-cities-counties-clean-up-home-rule-charters-after-state-law-or-court-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6294880-99a99e497f923e9cd311083b596cc17a/orig.mp4?Expires=1774881395&Signature=jrvnnj7XLit1FUvbzEt-OuIYrOYggMQYSkmoSFvBVOkG75YHeOhGhSRO2dGVmFfUPo4cQm2GaSZ~~1Y~PHrEKdtr6T9E0a0Orn7x4bl-ugJmrK2vOVoywf1zIr0yOrfvv3DVxnyBbIlI-xy~KaC0-2oJRoClxMcFsEcqpmvmDpKxJ6BwXiTzp-gN1zoAzRyGErsMfIVdDfUP14YqskHelsgmTG0hQutmD3IeSoRVc-FxYDiFNeHxEICsXqvo3xseF~PBh1cR79x3AT6QihEsqS91QNle7sAJ6FyGP7j8HdidLL5tL1qPnecC60M-nJT1LzqdOxtA9ZIjKXF6mTozYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Political Subdivisions Committee approved Senate Bill 23‑24 as amended, a bill that lets cities and counties adopt resolutions to update home rule charter language after state law changes or court rulings make portions of a charter nonconforming.

Senator Brad Beckettall, the bill sponsor, said the measure responds to housekeeping conflicts that arise when the Century Code or court interpretations change after voters adopt a home rule charter. \"Since these are housekeeping language revisions to conform to code and remove the nonconforming portions, it made sense to me that the revisions could occur by a commission resolution,\" Beckettall said. He stressed the bill would not let a charter be expanded to add powers that were not included in the original charter; those actions would still require a public vote under the cited statute.

Stephanie Ingebretsen, appearing for the North Dakota League of Cities, supported the bill as a tool to keep charters current when legislative or judicial changes make charter language obsolete. She told the committee the draft requires an explanatory resolution identifying the legal authority prompting a change and a requirement that the resolution be posted on the city or county website and filed with the Secretary of State. Ingebretsen said the change would reduce confusion when voters see language in a charter that no longer reflects current law.

Committee members asked whether the change would strip voter prerogatives; Ingebretsen said the measure is intended only to conform charter text to current law and specifically prohibits using the process to add any power not included in the original charter. Representative Hager raised a constitutional concern about perceived erosion of home rule; supporters replied that the bill conforms charters to existing state law or court orders and does not itself alter the substantive powers voters have previously granted.

An amendment to correct a typographical reference (changing a mistaken reference from \"county\" to \"city\" on page 3, line 12) was offered by Representative Vosley, seconded by Representative Clamine, and passed 11 yea, 0 nay, 2 absent. Representative Moschenbacher moved passage as amended; Representative Bosley seconded. The committee passed Senate Bill 23‑24 as amended, 10 yea, 1 nay, 2 absent not voting.

The bill requires the political subdivision to post the resolution and file it with the Secretary of State; it does not require a public hearing or a second public vote when used only to conform charter language to statute or court decisions.","The Political Subdivisions Committee approved Senate Bill 23‑24 as amended, allowing cities and counties to revise home rule charter language by commission resolution when that language has been preempted by statute or invalidated by a court ruling.",{"_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},6294884,"Committee clears bill to let state library distribute surplus materials and tie state aid to reporting",715,2258000,2973000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2521286-065dc6c8c4343bdaedefeb86e17b0894&start=2258&end=2973","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2521286-065dc6c8c4343bdaedefeb86e17b0894/thumbnail_2258000.jpg","/articles/6294884/North-Dakota/Committee-clears-bill-to-let-state-library-distribute-surplus-materials-and-tie-state-aid-to-reporting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6294884-8c5a8cedd6d546cd4f1c3f0954ad4b85/orig.mp4?Expires=1774881395&Signature=EGKvG6QSXJPIeDk-u0Xxtxfys4cWhmkvhgrret9yEzeSEq7kOXSEq10awi0HALRQ~BjbB5YKQiT6phSwrZaua5WEHdwjyN6ckuBVAcux~HM6do3xXdaz0eacES8c~mb3fZ5dEsFuJtSDg-dwObI~v2wODGyknZYvXfRpGPxrR~yOL2YgsbiiuHKP8W8fS61UcNuK95pPXGqUDgrRE-LMGGButjdO3rddwpTPJ9khczxF-PEjYar2QmfTEWJmeVLG6BEnpdCXWH~Q96DfI9jSa43QCdzdVDaK84G37Wp0zkIiGDcTFnbzBoGuYeQivuQV5bLCmjzrZz3Tp2EF9p97uQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Political Subdivisions Committee voted to give Senate Bill 22‑19 a due‑pass recommendation after testimony from the State Library and the bill’s sponsor.

Senator Sean Cleary (District 35) told the committee the bill would restore an exemption allowing the State Library to send surplus, or ‘‘weeded,’’ materials directly to public and K‑12 libraries without routing each item through the Office of State Surplus. “This would bring back that exemption,” Cleary said, describing the change as a streamlining step similar to the exemption the State Historical Society currently holds.

Danny Capel, library services director for the North Dakota State Library, testified the bill also clarifies eligibility language for the State Aid for Public Libraries program. Capel said Century Code requires public libraries to complete an annual public library survey and that the bill’s proposed language would make completion of that survey a condition of receiving state aid the following year. He told the committee the change reflects a recommendation from the assistant attorney general and would help ensure appropriate distribution of state funds.

A committee member asked how many libraries would be noncompliant; Capel replied “very, very few” and said the library regularly follows up with those that have not filed the survey. Questions about whether surplus materials could be distributed to private school libraries were raised; Capel said the existing practice had been a lottery open to libraries across the state and that he would follow up with specifics on private institutions.

Representative Pileman moved a due‑pass recommendation; Representative Bosley seconded. The clerk reported Senate Bill 22‑19 passed the committee 11 yea, 0 nay, 2 absent not voting.","Senate Bill 22‑19 would allow the State Library to distribute weeded materials directly to qualifying public and K‑12 libraries and make state aid contingent on completion of the annual public library survey. The committee voted 11‑0, 2 absent to give the bill a due pass.",{"_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},6294875,"Committee pauses action after members question private investigators board finances, fees and oversight",757,6053000,6810000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2521286-065dc6c8c4343bdaedefeb86e17b0894&start=6053&end=6810","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2521286-065dc6c8c4343bdaedefeb86e17b0894/thumbnail_6053000.jpg","/articles/6294875/North-Dakota/Committee-pauses-action-after-members-question-private-investigators-board-finances-fees-and-oversight","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6294875-227283cedfdbfc1b97eb5627272318c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1774881395&Signature=aVudn8HOZ9-34X6W6WzH1lcs1L4unI4wbqbH-RwEKzNUHEw6JmDMvZyJ0QQMzk9Ahdb5U1pvMBfNI0OJNfL5xQlKF80X5iLcaRopPWV2e003J1vZHd2aeUkA9r75RrxxFVHAcuJqmUum49Tp95OU9xpcg-Wj~s9DxCNTnBxqJ68tMGGK1YsKcjy6PXYbXTHy7ToE1LfI0NuXox-DDAB5h5muRlZE~mopEmsDAG9efxKjFXXpE67K~pzefTN-9ETJqFgnD9vSip8Xuyr3vZftQN-xIp3raB67MnZ9da1UKqe6mp~VpJnBWnEEz8R~XIAvVet4qUPq8Hx5vykQ3KN0oQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Political Subdivisions Committee discussed concerns about the Private Investigators Board’s finances, proposed fee changes and oversight options, and elected not to take immediate action pending follow‑up information.

Committee members said testimony showed the board is close to insolvency and asked why administrative rulemaking was not used to set fees. One lawmaker summarized testimony as saying, “they burned through their reserves. They’re basically broke,” and urged the committee to consider whether the legislature should set a fixed fee rather than allow a proposed 100% increase. Several members expressed reluctance to bail out boards with one‑time state funding, while others said a short, one‑time appropriation was discussed previously in the Senate and could be an option to avoid steep fee increases that would hit licensees.

Members asked the State Auditor’s office how a performance audit is triggered; the auditor’s office confirmed citizens may file an online complaint form to request an audit and said there are both financial and performance audits. Committee members also asked whether an audit would be paid for by the board (a common practice) and were told the auditor would follow up with details; legislators said they did not want a board to be required to pay for an audit if it is already insolvent.

Some members urged amending the bill in committee to set a specific, lower fee that would provide liquidity without imposing a 100% increase. Others warned that creating a precedent of the Legislature covering boards’ operating shortfalls could encourage more requests for state help. Representative Moschenbacher said he was waiting for more information from the State Auditor and urged postponing action until that information and responses from other legislators and stakeholders arrive.

The committee did not adopt a bill or motion on the matter at this meeting; members said they will revisit the issue after the auditor provides further details about audit procedures and potential funding options.","Members of the Political Subdivisions Committee discussed complaints about the Private Investigators Board’s finances and a proposed fee increase; legislators raised concerns about insolvency, the scale of a proposed fee increase, and whether a performance audit or one‑time state funding is appropriate. No formal action taken; committee deferred.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves adding retention component to rural attorney incentive program

Committee approves mechanism to let cities, counties clean up home rule charters after state law or court changes

Committee clears bill to let state library distribute surplus materials and tie state aid to reporting

Committee pauses action after members question private investigators board finances, fees and oversight