[{"_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",6278668,"mediaKeyId","2639128-77a154e58e9490c20fee6595c86324ec","parentId",2639128,"title","Senate approves House Bill 14-97 to expand local flexibility for 4‑year‑old pre-K eligibility; close vote 28-19","audioSeconds",268,"startMs",1192000,"endMs",1460000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2639128-77a154e58e9490c20fee6595c86324ec&start=1192&end=1460","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2639128-77a154e58e9490c20fee6595c86324ec/thumbnail_1192000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6278668/North-Dakota/Senate-approves-House-Bill-14-97-to-expand-local-flexibility-for-4yearold-pre-K-eligibility-close-vote-28-19","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278668-303fd9875b350f8064d2f0e3d0119828/orig.mp4?Expires=1770909739&Signature=GjQcRMTUtEGKonsV00QVp2Sz0eWCPlqeIpAXTTkcWjL2NeQfcha7Fmsh1RYYS3N74Vy8dFnZc90RWSF38wvCV5rxBCa7bWwJa70If3ADVa3YW17A26U-zAS-UY0g0V9PC2SlPsTMxy9oTofH5Cp~HDh49BxaLDW8BHbuOcL846zllDzhJ2KX8O~QKOq3XK9Bkyp~LARB3UrYXqzVBIM5icJhG9tCeZ9u7zOTLRruS22u587hxDzNsiGC4QQ4mIQhkOduxXT9Puikk6fGs64hn76wYp2lnZs2pQZmugnQtmXnZbCjl0skxAYCV423W2rIzOM~ZJUV4gx2Xmd3rva31Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota State Legislature","date","2025-03-14T00:00:00Z","article","Senator Moshe, sponsor of House Bill 14-97, told the Senate that the bill would add flexibility for 4‑year‑old prekindergarten programs by allowing school districts discretion to enroll children born after the current Aug. 1 cutoff up through December when developmentally appropriate. Moshe said the change mirrors existing kindergarten statute that permits similar local discretion.

The Education Committee reported support based on testimony from school leaders and a superintendent who said local assessment tools could determine developmental readiness. The committee recommended concurrence and the Senate proceeded to final passage.

Senator Beard spoke in opposition as the lone no vote in committee and explained his floor remarks: he said the change effectively moves younger children into school-based education programs and expressed concern about progressively younger children being placed in the formal school environment. Senator Axeman spoke in support and emphasized that parents choose programs and that preschool experience eases the transition to kindergarten.

The Senate recorded a roll‑call vote. House Bill 14-97 passed with 28 ayes, 19 nays; the transcript records that the \"emergency clause carries. Or fails, excuse me,\" indicating the emergency clause did not carry.

What the bill does: It amends age eligibility rules so that a child born after Aug. 1 may still be enrolled in a four‑year‑old program at the discretion of the program or school district through Dec. (exact statutory text and effective date are in the bill language). The Education Committee supported the bill largely on grounds of local control and developmental-readiness assessments.

Next steps: The bill passed the Senate and will proceed as part of the legislative process toward final enrollment in law; transcript indicates the emergency clause failed during the recorded result.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Floor Session Friday, Mar 14, 2025 12:26 PM - 1:24 PM","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 14-97, which allows school districts discretion to admit children born after the current Aug. 1 cutoff for 4‑year‑old programs through December, passed the Senate 28-19. Supporters said it provides local flexibility; at least one senator warned it lowers the age of children in education programs.","taxTitle","Senate, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28311,"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},6278673,"Senate rejects concurrent-resolution proposal to request study of native grasses and planting practices",164,992000,1156000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2639128-77a154e58e9490c20fee6595c86324ec&start=992&end=1156","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2639128-77a154e58e9490c20fee6595c86324ec/thumbnail_992000.jpg","/articles/6278673/North-Dakota/Senate-rejects-concurrent-resolution-proposal-to-request-study-of-native-grasses-and-planting-practices","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278673-4effeceb7d8ae2f8b8bfb5f0d16ddb03/orig.mp4?Expires=1770909739&Signature=hGGSMDaI~Q8G5qwDCLnAGpS4OSK~332B1Cm4q~TtPlXuwOl3~H3Q9xevCCfjp4n3~arH4z6ILR1gEnyhGnHqZ-wb~ItSW-p1gLMhmc7TdR5DV0I4ZCG4E9Fcnz5nrDHTldprrgKPHdHK193EebzUv0FsiGAn37TBOdaddhLxGdWwbYbxI3P3H5DVoh-bwIGEN5T18j-mouelWI-lWUdzgxdDZr~fjSlO6-f72SSowtJHQvkRGp7SOfId1f1xeKkNxFRCQZmKOuaYai2QfZtMUxT0pIF81-CiGfNckFUzg4HsqjGy-oRs3foekAMRxU2MW6m56gnTH~lwdAXnHilG4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Concurrent Resolution 40-29 asked the Legislative Management to consider studying the cost and effects of planting and tending sterile monocultures, invasive plants and native plants within North Dakota.

Senator Beard, speaking for the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, recommended a \"do not pass\" report (committee vote 6-1). Beard said studies on native grasses and planting practices have been conducted for years, pointing to North Dakota State University (NDSU) research dating back to 1983 and a 2011 NDSU publication. He told the Senate that NDSU and existing county and township programs already provide research and resources on native grasses.

After no further floor discussion, the Senate voted and the resolution failed by voice vote.

What happened: The committee record and Beard's floor remarks emphasized that similar studies already exist and that the committee preferred not to send another study request to Legislative Management. The resolution did not advance.

Context and reaction: Beard acknowledged the sponsor's passion for native North Dakota plants and encouraged the sponsor to engage with NDSU directly to build on existing research rather than initiating a new Legislative Management study.","Senate Concurrent Resolution 40-29, which asked Legislative Management to consider studying native grasses and planting practices, failed on the Senate floor after a committee report cited existing research at NDSU and prior studies.",{"_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},6278676,"Senate adds nuclear waste storage to study of advanced nuclear energy, re-refers bill to Appropriations",64,830000,894000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2639128-77a154e58e9490c20fee6595c86324ec&start=830&end=894","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2639128-77a154e58e9490c20fee6595c86324ec/thumbnail_830000.jpg","/articles/6278676/North-Dakota/Senate-adds-nuclear-waste-storage-to-study-of-advanced-nuclear-energy-re-refers-bill-to-Appropriations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278676-6a646a07adb6bb28a25783529f6fe142/orig.mp4?Expires=1770909739&Signature=Ghh-PHLOVDJNML8YF1Dp9lRNTHjyReOKFJ72Grnn4yXg4KY5BstfRJh3B8vFPJQkfVsLEKrGi03Y3vjSsswSXwO49cP6EKd31zX5ySQ7gig4kI254gHq10P8IyokrLFz9jdlqaQXeg54CsvVIbWBPffGv7jKXDDfdPFYzZ~nPhi79GWYo7UUdUftClGOLnGNqF2Q5Wla5ETPrjvJcG-tMesbQd1YCvDpHe096ZfraxHtQnoLu0q-4aOZj7a9RmAwsS65EyVgiWBZwpMnVu~MSAerS~WYsxPZQDN1G41GCGg5PD6shKAsBWHbdF6hNbv3j0ONbigNlDtjJjsuI6fJpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Kessel presented House Bill 10-25, which directs the Legislative Management to study feasibility, siting and deployment of advanced nuclear power plants in the state during the 2025-26 interim. Kessel said the Senate's Energy and Natural Resources Committee proposed an amendment to add consideration of temporary and permanent nuclear waste storage and possible in-state and out-of-state siting locations.

The committee reported the amendment passed committee by a 7-0 vote. The Senate adopted the proposed amendment on the floor by voice vote, and House Bill 10-25 was re‑referred to the Appropriations Committee.

What changed: The amendment explicitly adds temporary and permanent nuclear waste storage — including in-state and out-of-state siting locations — to the scope of the Legislative Management study on advanced nuclear energy.

Next steps: The bill, as amended, will go to Appropriations for fiscal review and any further floor action.","The Senate amended House Bill 10-25 to add temporary and permanent nuclear waste storage to a Legislative Management study of advanced nuclear energy siting and deployment; the amendment was adopted and the bill was re‑referred to Appropriations.",{"_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},6278682,"Senate amends House Bill 12-25 to narrow \"other dangerous weapons\" language, refers to appropriations panel",105,665000,770000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2639128-77a154e58e9490c20fee6595c86324ec&start=665&end=770","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2639128-77a154e58e9490c20fee6595c86324ec/thumbnail_665000.jpg","/articles/6278682/North-Dakota/Senate-amends-House-Bill-12-25-to-narrow-other-dangerous-weapons-language-refers-to-appropriations-panel","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278682-ff573abecaccd9ce8d97adf8722ec618/orig.mp4?Expires=1770909739&Signature=co2WBu6AEAdPNKmx8UZjp~5jOJsKHYrEsEgjb0uqFB-ctjgGthPkjiDpTypwAstRjMAOkPATkX40L1ag4VBFwdrT8JtugBG4jbHEOR1Nw5BNuIg7sqOKq9u0~79ZtJqvCjP70asG2E1i23eubJZPsx-4P4xMBdslZC-FAPIQYJ2lFBgQg2S-AnU1is-psRsbMcAus7j-eEsB36iBsj3MnaLtXkg5cRShXD3YnYG5WuDFGQfxJSqyTZQobhwMpvm6cVzoB7yV65BRYSPJlBmf~YE4-ZWYIB5x~Z91k7N1TqxLjfi~GmZKJt6OgbEqQL~rRl9OY5lCFnRHA8GVGjbteQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Randall Bridal presented House Bill 12-25 on the floor and explained the judiciary committee's proposed amendments, saying the bill responds to an increase in drive‑by shootings and related reckless uses of firearms.

The committee reported that the House version had added the phrase \"or other dangerous weapons\" to a new offense. Bridal said the phrase could include items ranging from vehicles to other objects already defined elsewhere in the criminal code, making the language \"too broad\" for the intended offense. The judiciary committee removed the phrase to limit the statute to use of a firearm.

The committee also struck statutory language that would have converted out‑of‑state misdemeanor convictions into felonies for purposes of repeat-offender sentencing. Bridal said that change could unfairly upgrade past misdemeanors committed in other states to felonies in North Dakota and that the committee removed that provision to avoid that outcome.

The Senate adopted the proposed amendments by voice vote and re-referred House Bill 12-25 to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration.

What was decided: The amendments described above were adopted on the floor. No final passage vote on the underlying bill is recorded in the transcript; the bill was re-referred to the Appropriations Committee.

Context: Bridal said the amendments emerged from the judiciary committee and that they passed out of committee unanimously. The changes aim to keep the new statutory language focused on firearms and to avoid unintentional cross‑state sentencing consequences.

Next steps: The bill will be considered by the Appropriations Committee, as stated on the floor.","The Senate judiciary committee and the floor adopted amendments to House Bill 12-25 to remove broad \"other dangerous weapons\" language and to avoid automatically upgrading out-of-state misdemeanors into felonies; the bill was re-referred to the Appropriations Committee.",{"_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},6278687,"Senate passes a package of bills and adopts multiple resolutions; key votes listed",1852,1488000,3340000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2639128-77a154e58e9490c20fee6595c86324ec&start=1488&end=3340","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2639128-77a154e58e9490c20fee6595c86324ec/thumbnail_1488000.jpg","/articles/6278687/North-Dakota/Senate-passes-a-package-of-bills-and-adopts-multiple-resolutions-key-votes-listed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278687-2591a10850a5b690e69ddf803da8ad61/orig.mp4?Expires=1770909739&Signature=hLzE0t3MwlKYpcf8hntT0BX3wJiSuzC9xcLP8Yy9Un8f~uxNup8~HInPYM2eeHbBfjt~89IqffkvVmdBSnBA9jJl8pRlYONsR8B2-LeewH2a6dzmS5fXEwhWNLizlXuo75k~LNVEjvlo4T-IdHTDHW7epJwJA8xZK~uaarojEdtCen~8ADbGr8kVLKbsg8wZ9VsuTojpjo2EkJX2nkKROt7IOsjIKnGauNHuOgLYtS7AmNFz5T7AIYVbwWQQuw9mRDFxfJpeUXaF2xlcmNJHbsYFf1Xw5A~ZteoVHqis9TyMquF-C~4vec6QfaaFa0JIonUZaCNWEV1tXXAmm4XKIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Dakota Senate on the floor session recorded final passage or adoption of a group of House and Senate measures and several concurrent resolutions, including bills on tax exemptions for fire departments, vehicle-title exemptions for historic vehicles, license and fee changes for fish-and-game, liability-cap changes, and resolutions on energy, postal service concerns and trade policy.

Why it matters: Several of the measures change how state agencies, local governments or residents interact with state law (for example, tax and excise‑tax treatment for fire departments and equipment and exemptions and fee clarifications for vehicles and licenses). Others are nonbinding resolutions that express the Legislature's position to a federal agency or Congress and may shape state lobbying or public attention.

Key results (votes at a glance):

- House Bill 11-39 — sales tax and motor vehicle excise tax exemptions for fire departments: Passed; recorded tally 47 ayes, 0 nays. (Senator Wallin presented fiscal/committee background.)

- House Bill 11-55 — equipment exemption for certain street rods/collector or special interest motor vehicles: Passed; recorded tally 47 ayes, 0 nays. (Senator Paulson presented committee report.)

- House Bill 11-47 — clarifies fees and a 50% discounted rate for certain disabled-veteran game-and-fish licenses: Passed; recorded tally 47 ayes, 0 nays. (Senator Gearhart presented committee report.)

- House Bill 11-42 — raises or updates statutory caps for liability of political subdivisions and the state: Passed; recorded tally (transcript formatting unclear) reported as 46 ayes, 1 nay. (Senator Lewitt presented committee report.)

- House Bill 15-22 — allows cities by ordinance to permit golf carts on city streets except at night and not on federal/state/county highways except to cross them perpendicularly: Passed; recorded tally 43 ayes, 4 nays. (Senator Cory presented committee report.)

- House Concurrent Resolution 30-17 — recognizing Dec. 6 as annual Miner's Day: Adopted by voice vote. (Senator Van Austin presented committee report.)

- House Concurrent Resolution 30-06 — urging the U.S. Postal Service to improve in-state mail processing/delivery: Adopted by voice vote. (Senator Wabamah presented testimony summary.)

- House Concurrent Resolution 30-19 — congratulating Donald J. Trump on his inauguration as President: Adopted by voice vote. (Senator Powers presented committee report.)

- House Concurrent Resolution 30-09 — urging federal trade policy that penalizes high‑polluting foreign producers and supports U.S. industry: Adopted by voice vote. (Senator Engate presented committee report.)

- House Concurrent Resolution 30-16 — recognizing benefits of enhanced oil recovery and encouraging federal/state support for carbon capture technologies: Adopted; recorded tally 35 ayes, 12 nays. (Senator Engott presented committee report.)

- House Concurrent Resolution 30-15 — urging SPP and MISO to act to maintain bulk power reliability and address market failures: Adopted; recorded tally 42 ayes, 5 nays. (Senator Behn presented committee report.)

- Senate Bill 22-42 — legislative management study relating to institutions of higher education (as amended by the house): Passed; recorded tally 47 ayes, 0 nays. (Senator Baucher presented.)

- Senate Bill 23-86 (reengrossed as Senate Bill 23-86 / cottage foods) — passed as amended with emergency clause; recorded tally 45 ayes, 2 nays; emergency clause carried. (Senator Lam presented.)

What the recorded tallies mean: The bills listed above that carry numerical tallies had roll-call results recorded in the transcript; other items were adopted by voice vote when so indicated. The fiscal note for House Bill 11-39 said the fiscal impact \"cannot be determined.\" The transcript includes committee recommendations preceding most floor actions.

A number of other bills and amendments were considered on the floor (see separate articles for items that received extended debate). The Senate adjourned and announced committee meeting times for the coming week.","The North Dakota Senate passed a series of bills and adopted several concurrent resolutions during the floor session; this roundup lists each item, the outcome and any recorded vote tallies.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate approves House Bill 14-97 to expand local flexibility for 4‑year‑old pre-K eligibility; close vote 28-19

Senate rejects concurrent-resolution proposal to request study of native grasses and planting practices

Senate adds nuclear waste storage to study of advanced nuclear energy, re-refers bill to Appropriations

Senate amends House Bill 12-25 to narrow "other dangerous weapons" language, refers to appropriations panel

Senate passes a package of bills and adopts multiple resolutions; key votes listed