[{"_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",6281134,"mediaKeyId","2608117-4221bd468d476d29cb727bbdb8e64e2e","parentId",2608117,"title","Committee advances bill requiring agencies to cite rule source within 10 days of enforcement","audioSeconds",1407,"startMs",691000,"endMs",2098000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2608117-4221bd468d476d29cb727bbdb8e64e2e&start=691&end=2098","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2608117-4221bd468d476d29cb727bbdb8e64e2e/thumbnail_691000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6281134/North-Dakota/Committee-advances-bill-requiring-agencies-to-cite-rule-source-within-10-days-of-enforcement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6281134-2ca011a01fa6e972a4ea703ce44f5944/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166974&Signature=cbRghknarcHNQCppyD4olZSPfdGjGsdwGPfA7hCP-7BYDI3xG22XHoYow4ZolP73TAx04215HTcmwppOkZ0v-JIwmCVCyaZ2fwJiEfgU0UVCVHc2uL0cscBQBA4ECR9u3ZQnOzRTCh7sd1WSZeF~zC0ycw2hv~K~Cqm1ZvC4FUQKZKXAHIh4a2HLzrXHcFep4-vcN9YgeIol6TZz2DwJrEtLviaAPvqVGI3vdlnZKBecm0zaYWOsU65m8JDQmLeiIANnW5hCHqGok3AIBLkG9t-7a~LvzndBUQy5teB5sckOrKLpaP23H5gnVC6YIeRzdr2LLMCoyUkylPeXgW5IbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota State Legislature","date","2025-03-13T00:00:00Z","article","Senate Bill 2258 would require a state agency that imposes an official notice, determination or order on a person to provide, on request, the specific rule citation or statutory reference within 10 days.

Supporters told the Government and Veterans Affairs Committee the measure is meant to let regulated parties verify that an enforcement action is based on a published rule or statute. Senator Todd Beard, the bill sponsor, said the proposal grew from a dispute over how childcare training hours were counted when providers renew licenses: \"When the applicant, applies for their renewal of license, then they can't count any training hours from that point on until their license arrives...I said, I wanna give them time...if an agency is imposing an official notice, determination order, or action, and...that person, if they request the...where did it come from, then the agency within 10 days have to provide that information.\"

The committee spent much of its questioning on how the 10‑day requirement would be implemented and whether responses must be \"in writing\" and measured in business days. Several members urged adding a written‑record requirement so there is a traceable record of what the agency provided; Senator Beard said he had purposely left the delivery method to the agency but would not oppose clarifying language. Representative Van Winkle asked about enforcement if an agency failed to respond; Beard said the bill as enacted contains no penalty and that remedies would rely on other administrative processes or later legislative action. Representative Wolf, who questioned the bill's current scope, told the sponsor he felt the bill \"took all the teeth out\" when it was simplified on the Senate floor.

Committee members suggested nonlegislative steps such as educating agencies on the new requirement and notifying the administrative rules committee so agencies understand the change. Representative Carls proposed asking the administrative rules committee to brief agencies on the requirement. Senator Beard said he would prefer leaving any punitive measures for a later time if follow‑up demonstrates a problem.

On a motion moved by Representative Van Winkle and seconded by Representative McLeod, the committee voted to pass the bill. The roll call and announcement record 14 yes votes; there was no recorded committee amendment adding a penalty at this hearing.

The hearing record includes several references to the Attorney General's Office and to state statute generally; the bill as discussed does not cite a specific statute number for a new enforcement penalty. The committee closed the hearing after the recorded vote.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Government and Veterans Affairs Thursday, Mar 13, 2025 8:25 AM - 11:51 AM","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 2258 would require agencies to provide the specific rule or statutory citation within 10 days when an official notice, determination or action is imposed and the affected person requests it.","taxTitle","Government and Veterans Affairs, House of Representatives, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28892,"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},6281120,"Governor-backed bill would create task force to review and reduce state boards and commissions; water industry raises concerns",3077,5920000,8997000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2608117-4221bd468d476d29cb727bbdb8e64e2e&start=5920&end=8997","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2608117-4221bd468d476d29cb727bbdb8e64e2e/thumbnail_5920000.jpg","/articles/6281120/North-Dakota/Governor-backed-bill-would-create-task-force-to-review-and-reduce-state-boards-and-commissions-water-industry-raises-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6281120-87a08f502b664f015dfd2bfccc758fde/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166974&Signature=kt2Wpl5~lHuwYOlt3Jnmjyjn0IT4w28Q3gc~vEsT0Rc5LSHs5LchKrdaF5trkDiNPPP~KPXeueYcs37RKC68GrmCDx1WTQU1H-rai3q4hBq5ozxOC7PIYR0hXGEocl0hjUfxrICaWZ-nEJ-lV9SR5cGzeZ8nPT72nlBMS84TOLvkHHg-VsAia2nbz-C4RR9dPu-rq0J-zuQryWQY-H1jxshRkmzf7-B-qQ2shPd~L9q0eDGgcQDrcd76NTdD0oEAwD3TfGc9R0QA2Pk1G8dvyQACpRV6ORcM7wVcNiBr-xjRw9Eu8CZdA4k2bveRQDD6D2x1F5td12qzRHNfht3jAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 2308 would create a boards review task force housed in the Governor's Office to assess state boards, commissions, committees, councils and task forces for inefficiency and duplication and recommend streamlining measures to the Legislature. The administration submitted a detailed section‑by‑section breakdown of target changes, including repeals, transfers and consolidations.

Governor Kelly Armstrong testified in support, saying state government has more than 50 boards and roughly 1,500 appointees and that some boards have not met in years. He said the task force is intended to identify which boards can be combined or absorbed by agencies, and noted the bill would dissolve 17 named entities in whole or in part. JC Schaefer, deputy chief of staff, said the list was developed after outreach and review and that the goal is to preserve mission‑critical functions while removing duplicative structures.

The bill would reassign duties in several places: it moves the statewide longitudinal data system (SLEDS) to the North Dakota Information Technology Department (NDIT/ITD) with appropriate privacy safeguards; it moves various early childhood, brain injury and related functions under Department of Human Services; it transfers water‑related licensing duties from boards to the Department of Water Resources and proposes to repeal the Board of Water Well Contractors and the North Dakota Atmospheric Resource Board; it also proposes repeals or transfers for the medical marijuana advisory committee, Devil's Lake Outlet Management Advisory Committee, the Poet Laureate nominating board and other entities.

Supporters argued agency consolidation can reduce overhead and coordinate related functions. Governor Armstrong said many volunteer boards cost staff time and that some have failed to meet regularly, making the government footprint bigger than necessary. He and sponsor Senator Rohrs said agencies and affected boards were notified of the proposed changes.

Opponents focused on licensing, technical and institutional‑knowledge concerns. The On‑Site Wastewater and Water Well sectors provided detailed opposition testimony: Tom Schimmelfenning (on‑site wastewater technical committee chair) argued the committee still has codewriting and licensing work to finish and warned that absorbing board functions into agencies would shift costs to taxpayers because currently boards are funded by fees that pay for enforcement staff. The North Dakota Well Drillers Association vice president, William Schauff, and Water Well Board Chair Lauren Bewitz also testified opposition, saying technical licensing and enforcement work depends on practitioner expertise housed in boards and that losing the board structure could degrade oversight or require larger state budgets. Rhys Haas, director of the Department of Water Resources, supported moving water boards' administrative and licensing functions to the department and said doing so would create synergies and could resolve current negative cash flow for some licensing funds.

Other stakeholders asked the committee to include board representatives on the task force. Pharmacy Board and other licensing stakeholders asked that the task force include board representation or \"a representative\" knowledgeable about boards' operations; they warned removing board representation could produce misunderstanding of licensing implications. The governor's office and bill proponents said a representative (rather than a current board member) could be appointed and that legislative oversight would follow any recommendations.

The committee received both pro and con testimony and closed the hearing; a committee vote on SB 2308 is not recorded in the transcript. The engrossed bill and sponsor materials list numerous specific statutory transfers and repeals (SLEDS, several advisory committees, the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact, and others) that the task force would review or that the bill would repeal or transfer if enacted as drafted.

","Senate Bill 2308 would create a Governor's Office task force to review all state boards and recommend consolidation or elimination; supporters call it cost‑saving and efficiency‑raising while industry witnesses warned of lost technical expertise and hidden taxpayer costs.",{"_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},6281125,"Secretary of State backs bill to mail neutral guides explaining statewide ballot measures",2606,4400000,7006000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2608117-4221bd468d476d29cb727bbdb8e64e2e&start=4400&end=7006","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2608117-4221bd468d476d29cb727bbdb8e64e2e/thumbnail_4400000.jpg","/articles/6281125/North-Dakota/Secretary-of-State-backs-bill-to-mail-neutral-guides-explaining-statewide-ballot-measures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6281125-cfe04ff687f2c5f2c1915ecd401280d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166974&Signature=QxJBg2qLk~~ZfKgiV8~vfMnKzxjOFRvmGSy7dVQd-G5NEL7U3rgJc57wSW9Isdot497g5loPUpa7M4mLeBc~m2bDhLzorWRO0dX6LAQQy~wgzfAE~Ze1W~p01NNO~ux0pq30hHyilkzh7j6yemqir-XunJqx94LEm7LcFQbVcp4CQvLGsDKQKCUUTekMXKfOF6UfDf7zbYP6LOxdlrsfJbSlBrIul4wsiLOv6C6-nMCDp22t8oIf140VjCjvBV2fKgWqiwd75KIYvItVSsxOFCxXLTzJ0k7bh1OjcmRn7auLopWjso2LBuxvR6cSzKAechEtWevynW3V8Si0DhLLHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 2230 would require the Secretary of State to distribute objective, plain‑language informational materials describing statewide ballot questions, including what a yes or no vote would do and the measure's origin, to active voters ahead of statewide elections.

Senator Yana Bridal (bill sponsor) told the Government and Veterans Affairs Committee she introduced the measure after constituents repeatedly asked for clearer information explaining complex constitutional measures. The Secretary of State, Michael Howe, testified the office supports the bill and presented a fiscal note estimating a $600,000 appropriation to mail pamphlets to roughly 450,000 active voters (active = voted within the last four years). Howe said the pamphlet would be mailed 45 days before an election so overseas and military voters receive it alongside ballots.

Howe and the sponsor told the committee the materials would be neutral summaries that explain what a yes vote would change and what a no vote would preserve, and the pamphlet would also appear on the Secretary of State's website. Committee members questioned how the office would ensure objectivity and whether the pamphlet should be posted at polling locations; Howe said the office would not coordinate with advocates for or against a measure and that posting at polling locations could be added as a requirement.

Members asked about timing and whether 45 days led to the pamphlet arriving too early; Howe said the timing is tied to when overseas ballots go out and could be adjusted by committee direction. The Secretary also said he would prefer the mailing go to active voters rather than to a smaller \"secure active\" list that excludes people with protected addresses; he offered an amendment to that effect.

No committee vote on the bill was recorded in this hearing; the committee closed the public testimony after the Secretary of State's presentation.

","Senate Bill 2230 would require the Secretary of State to mail neutral, plain‑language explanations of statewide ballot measures to active voters about 45 days before an election; Secretary Michael Howe told the committee the request would cost about $600,000 per biennium and would be limited to active voters.",{"_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},6281129,"Lawmakers hear plan to study using Capital Building Fund for a legislative office building",1007,2167000,3174000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2608117-4221bd468d476d29cb727bbdb8e64e2e&start=2167&end=3174","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2608117-4221bd468d476d29cb727bbdb8e64e2e/thumbnail_2167000.jpg","/articles/6281129/North-Dakota/Lawmakers-hear-plan-to-study-using-Capital-Building-Fund-for-a-legislative-office-building","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6281129-d279ed9a9d80976964be30b4163db185/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166974&Signature=SQGMVrEaQYUe4ic-FQ2euDXjLY2AmIj95FnFz5PnZ8Z7D0ptqSIhZEpjIDhgbg6fGYn6rVKvdebfyLT2-ZRHd-HhcZdtUMrBj0Q~b92iDnSUG4ow8A77kDo3gqmlETIlMYP-H5HuMoNksqp1ByplWgu8M-9Mv7lSQd5H3Ml7b2fDB7Y7n1Oj9XjnhKd3jjpCPjDIHZ15rRWYC4qcctO4L4w5VP20nKmRYlmKOqb1QIqrCu1x7NS8BT0GaQGkNL30QR93kQI4ihMPXyQtHtB6oB-j7G24ocrg-0k25YO8B9l4OsnIAU648og5DToscWrKJWjTKAzNZff3gPMx85RyOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Concurrent Resolution 40‑24 would direct legislative management to consider studying the use of dedicated monies in the Capital Building Fund to build a legislative office structure, including potential underground parking and committee room space.

Senator Tim Mathern, who sponsored the resolution, told the Government and Veterans Affairs Committee he has raised the idea repeatedly since the 1980s and emphasized citizen access and mobility as primary drivers: \"I think we need easier access, for citizens to come to our committee hearings...a convenient and a weather safe parking situation...A citizen has a difficult time even getting into the Capitol.\" Mathern described examples of visitors with mobility issues and urged a study to determine cost and feasibility rather than immediate action.

Mathern and supporters noted the Capital Building Fund has a balance (testimony cited roughly $13 million) and that savings may also come from reducing leased office space around the city. Representative Ben Koppelman, who testified he previously pressed the issue in 2019, recommended locating a new structure south of the current parking lot so committee rooms and legislative staff could be consolidated while keeping the historic chambers in the present Capitol.

Committee members asked about affordability, timing and optics for a facility that would be used intermittently; Mathern and Koppelman said interim committee work and other uses would make the space regularly used. Some members urged study language that would involve the Capitol Grounds Commission alongside legislative management.

No committee vote was recorded during the hearing. The record shows the sponsor urged study by legislative management, with additional input anticipated from the Capitol Grounds Commission and legislative management if the resolution is adopted for study.

","Senate Concurrent Resolution 40-24 directs legislative management to study whether funds in the Capital Building Fund could be used to build a legislative office structure to improve public access, parking and legislative visibility; sponsors stressed access and accessibility for citizens and future short‑term legislators.",{"_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},6281115,"Committee adopts amendment and recommends passage of lobbying restriction for elected public officials",523,10750000,11273000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2608117-4221bd468d476d29cb727bbdb8e64e2e&start=10750&end=11273","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2608117-4221bd468d476d29cb727bbdb8e64e2e/thumbnail_10750000.jpg","/articles/6281115/North-Dakota/Committee-adopts-amendment-and-recommends-passage-of-lobbying-restriction-for-elected-public-officials","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6281115-74e034182af8005ba8dc56d5558d5d3a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166974&Signature=kbd3U5Msc9CZ4niGNEfLkv4OfSrGoJoTPm8InZ9WbwpWMID8d1fA404zkjp4qjU2l~Z2V0F-YdoQefxcKpELma2T5z8mXV7HDsGnVi2yZJmJZeTz92LWHbRmip0T9D33sbJbeIHt0tg2~FjxVnOBSXS4a~xm8CTrpoUC1We54K9sirGHblXlJtDUrw42mwCfOvyHDNP2bKvYYM~C83-dkI1hwD~rz-81Qm5fRLBL4YP02kOBVlZtaOF3pKbesP-byF9U3QgLg7WGs2MmlrnbcgTvZoF4qh1N8mB95nQtFFACU1ymu0hompZq8wQmpjFJojb3BhfQjFUXwMKkbSedLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Government and Veterans Affairs Committee considered an amendment to Senate Bill 2052 that clarifies statutory language tied to the constitutional restriction on elected public officials serving as lobbyists. The amendment changed the section title or heading language to read \"restriction on being a lobbyist by elected public officials\" to mirror constitutional phrasing and avoid ambiguity.

Members debated the amendment and potential First Amendment concerns; several members and outside commenters noted the constitutional provision already imposes a two‑year post‑service restriction and the Legislature sets the sanctions. Legislative counsel explained that the criminal sanction and civil penalty are already in statute: a knowing violation can be classified as a class A misdemeanor and the Ethics Commission may assess a civil penalty up to $1,000.

Representative Vetter moved and the committee seconded a do‑pass recommendation as amended. On the roll call the motion passed 8‑6. Multiple members expressed discomfort about potential constitutional challenges but voted in favor of the clarified statutory language. The committee then adjourned the item.","The committee amended language and voted to recommend passage of Senate Bill 2052 as amended, clarifying the constitutional restriction into statute language that specifies a prohibition on being a lobbyist by elected public officials; the vote carried 8–6 with members debating First Amendment and practical enforcement issues.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee advances bill requiring agencies to cite rule source within 10 days of enforcement

Governor-backed bill would create task force to review and reduce state boards and commissions; water industry raises concerns

Secretary of State backs bill to mail neutral guides explaining statewide ballot measures

Lawmakers hear plan to study using Capital Building Fund for a legislative office building

Committee adopts amendment and recommends passage of lobbying restriction for elected public officials