[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"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","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,75,87,99],{"_32":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":73},"mediaId",6127384,"mediaKeyId","2663441-77af758f13376962ec7ecec1908508cb","parentId",2663441,"title","Lawmakers consider creating North Dakota–Ireland trade commission to boost ties with EU gateway","audioSeconds",5044,"startMs",5910000,"endMs",865990,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663441-77af758f13376962ec7ecec1908508cb&start=5910&end=865","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663441-77af758f13376962ec7ecec1908508cb/thumbnail_5910000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6127384/North-Dakota/Lawmakers-consider-creating-North-DakotaIreland-trade-commission-to-boost-ties-with-EU-gateway","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127384-69a3c590d83b34bf28133f3734c275b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770041351&Signature=busChko113uwuYzS5BfmUnGDHdC-mkrWCeSXjrQccW~La6jl4hy3ydrVuZN0ie4OusQjPFatqowQFuXxT~lKTO-WRT1nQhgtadeCqAoo6AC01z0JovZfwl3j1qgUYOdtK~GN3IV5tWDkJ1LR6N2W3RoPORz~mDdvLeZx9isk3F6sx~cfXIBnTSetLQYbmmewOY~veucKhMxajS-PbLJ-cuhR3WpuVFWDqiyYobdGYZO3Hziojnp-VVTduJdKySJk~Ic0IMy4VBWYg0MIqukwUljIvLnu73B-qFa3e1uKcaCY9yjrOrFuwh0W8Fz448~Ir0HIgTR91uSjH1l88er~Qw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota State Legislature","date","2025-03-17T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Mary Schneider told the Senate Industry and Business Committee that House Bill 1568 would create a North Dakota–Ireland Trade Commission to promote bilateral trade, academic and cultural exchanges and to give the state a formal channel to engage with Ireland and, by extension, the European Union.

Schneider, a sponsor and co‑chair of the state’s American Irish Legislative Caucus, said the commission would include two legislative appointees from each chamber, the executive director of the North Dakota Trade Office, one private‑sector member with international trade experience, and the agriculture commissioner or designee. “This would be our state's first trade commission,” Schneider said, and she framed Ireland as a logical pilot partner because of cultural ties and Ireland’s role as an English‑speaking gateway to the EU and Northern Ireland.

Supporters included Senator Kathy Hogan and agricultural staff who highlighted Ireland’s prominent agricultural and technology sectors and the potential for academic exchanges and export relationships. John Schneider, director of business marketing and information for the agriculture commissioner, told the committee that Irish interest in North Dakota products and know‑how could benefit producers.

An online witness identified as Mark Daly, representing Irish interests, described existing state‑level Ireland trade commissions in other U.S. states and said such a commission opens direct channels to European decision‑makers and encourages reciprocal visits by parliamentary and sectoral delegations. ‘‘This commission is a basis for building relationships,’’ the witness said, noting examples of existing academic and business links in other states.

Drew Combs, executive director of the North Dakota Trade Office, gave neutral testimony and disclosed a personal business interest in Northern Ireland. Combs described ongoing trade‑office efforts to use Ireland and Northern Ireland as a gateway to the EU market, including discussions about containerized freight routes and invitations from the EU delegation to host a North Dakota day. He said Ireland’s time zone and corporate presence make it a useful base for companies seeking a European foothold.

Committee members asked about fiscal and governance issues, including appointment language and whether the bill would create a new standing commission during a period when lawmakers are reviewing other commissions. Schneider said anticipated costs were minimal — primarily standard travel reimbursements for commissioners — and supporters said the commission could generate new economic and academic opportunities. The Trade Office asked the committee to note the director’s neutral stance and the discloses of a private interest.

No formal committee action was taken at the hearing; a senator indicated he had requested a draft amendment to change the appointment language to align with other states’ commission structures.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Industry and Business Monday, Mar 17, 2025 8:55 AM - 11:20 AM","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Mary Schneider introduced House Bill 1568 to create a North Dakota–Ireland Trade Commission to promote trade, academic exchanges and tourism, and to give the state a formal channel to engage with Ireland as a gateway to the European Union.","taxTitle","Industry and Business, Senate, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28906,"location","North Dakota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":76,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":77,"_40":78,"_42":79,"_44":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6127390,"Bill would broaden use of cigarette‑testing fund, move collections to insurance trust fund",3000,3760000,6760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663441-77af758f13376962ec7ecec1908508cb&start=3760&end=6760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663441-77af758f13376962ec7ecec1908508cb/thumbnail_3760000.jpg","/articles/6127390/North-Dakota/Bill-would-broaden-use-of-cigarettetesting-fund-move-collections-to-insurance-trust-fund","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127390-1f96611db3a3901820dea3897a73c373/orig.mp4?Expires=1770041351&Signature=CtLUgKI2MLXZg4RHu0d~-UNF~L5LU0c10sSsMMwxYSiDQ7R73~CPl-eiYPLCbaRWsFpfiOGioIpJ-XogExUpAvsB~i9DWVC0HTtMWrP8QECjYKRW-UHtug2NWgUQ9NsTwWFRQF7vUuQWAAICIhovPOcQM1eMHrJAPeogFvIPpSXm3r-ZDQgAxTaM3EdKSzL0qCN9C-C1uhI5KiEHlvFjrPr88qH4UaOROx8NJggzA-l0Ah7IK-Xapq2ouXYXkmc1eqCUGJgSZSKSz4oJyxtVR9Pk7l7bHDFzqqpjsHEBZ0P8kbEn0UmD5rZ0ribX5XiAZ85CQwnHRKF1oWZR-xCQxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee heard House Bill 1086, an agency bill introduced by the Insurance Department that would change how North Dakota administers and spends fees collected under the state’s reduced cigarette ignition propensity program.

Deputy Insurance Commissioner John Arnold said the program requires manufacturers to test each cigarette brand sold in the state every three years, and manufacturers submit a $250 fee per brand as part of the application and retesting process. The current fund was established in 2009 to pay for testing supplies, equipment and administrative support; Arnold told the committee the fund has a balance of about $494,611 and the department has collected roughly $102,500 this biennium while spending about $11,072.

The bill would eliminate some narrow restrictions on how the fund’s revenues may be used and move fee deposits into the Insurance Regulatory Trust Fund so the State Fire Marshal’s office—now housed in the Insurance Department—can use the funding to defray operational costs related to the program. The house amended the bill to remove the flat $250 fee from statute and direct the department to set an annual fee; the department testified it introduced the bill to keep the $250 fee but would accept legislative direction on fee structure.

State Fire Marshal Doug Nelson described the testing process: independent labs test brands under ASTM standards to confirm cigarettes self‑extinguish under controlled conditions to reduce indoor fire ignitions. Nelson said national statistics show cigarette‑caused fires and deaths have fallen since adoption of fire‑safer cigarette standards, and the department has not encountered many noncompliant brands in recent enforcement work.

Committee members asked about how fees are set, whether the program remains self‑sustaining and about the fund balance; Arnold said the fund largely sustains itself from per‑brand fees and said moving the balance and fee authority into the Insurance Regulatory Trust Fund will give the department more flexibility to cover the State Fire Marshal’s costs. The bill requests a due‑pass recommendation.

","House Bill 1086 would allow the State Fire Marshal and Insurance Department greater flexibility to use fees collected under the reduced cigarette ignition propensity program, move those fees into the Insurance Regulatory Trust Fund, and maintain a per‑brand testing fee.",{"_32":88,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":89,"_40":90,"_42":91,"_44":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6127394,"Committee hears updates to state unclaimed‑property law, adds virtual‑currency rules and data‑matching authority",588,2850000,3438000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663441-77af758f13376962ec7ecec1908508cb&start=2850&end=3438","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663441-77af758f13376962ec7ecec1908508cb/thumbnail_2850000.jpg","/articles/6127394/North-Dakota/Committee-hears-updates-to-state-unclaimedproperty-law-adds-virtualcurrency-rules-and-datamatching-authority","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127394-fedcaefe025b39b897692d3bc8431c0d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770041351&Signature=lYWsmX-kalhgmfV-yw0~47wlFHfn5SnkUh3fq26HB9DcfRurGZzv8P4aU8wcGJ2MLKNhpyp8UUtX3OwshJce7ONq0W8XoVN3B2yyiat13QXqR~dJt8z74Nsm5FEQH-fLrrdnBrQ8~XHOMQx8KDJOSHY4R0-7X1wDsnl3yKhqanJ2-NNkgoTeQpJoRmcHacx1GQ6H6oiJsghHhL~~M742104DUSlo42Y-zGoGQMCxhisRkK2jQ23q9CDqHfPWoUIIpSKjjdP7bs5RI3LwNfnLuYUZmo4w~aREQJ~NT2xp~DZ5bZh4q9IXCZ2YVKjsE0GJZrra7HHBaq1bgkNRZ2crZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Industry and Business Committee heard testimony on House Bill 1149, a set of updates to North Dakota’s Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act (RUPA) intended to preserve uniformity with the national model and speed return of property to owners.

Susan Summerfield, director of the Unclaimed Property Division in the Department of Trust Lands, told the committee the bill contains seven targeted changes to the statutory framework adopted in 2021. Those changes would:

- Create a 3‑year dormancy period specifically for virtual currency.
- Add dormancy periods for excess proceeds from abandoned vehicle sales and tax‑related excess proceeds.
- Require holders to keep records during a voluntary disclosure in the same manner as during an examination, and pause the statute of limitations while a voluntary disclosure is open.
- Require holders to liquidate virtual currency and remit cash value to the state because the division cannot hold digital assets in native form.
- Permit the division to compare its owner data with other state agency databases (for example tax or motor vehicle records) and, when a good match and current address are found, to mail checks directly to owners rather than requiring a full claims process.
- Clarify how non‑state agencies can intercept property where an enforceable judgment exists, and
- Remove a burdensome record‑sharing requirement during multistate examinations to reduce administrative costs.

Summerfield said the bill maintains the policy goal that abandoned property be used for public purposes while improvements to the statute will make reunification with owners faster and less costly. She noted the division deposits unclaimed funds into the state’s trauma schools trust fund and that the earned income helps K–12 education in North Dakota.

Rick Ledward, president and CEO of the North Dakota Bankers Association, testified in support and said member banks routinely turn over abandoned accounts to the state and back the amendments as clarifying, practical updates for holders. The bill includes an emergency clause so the division can mail checks quickly when matches are found.

Supporters urged a due‑pass recommendation so the division may begin matching data and issuing payments under the clarified rules. The committee posed questions about whether individuals who lose access to wallets could recover funds and how custodians would be expected to attempt contact before remitting unclaimed virtual currency; Summerfield said custodians must attempt to contact owners before turning property over, and the division expects the new dormancy and liquidation rules to apply when custodians are unable to locate owners.

No formal action was taken at the hearing; supporters asked the committee to advance the bill.","House Bill 1149 would update the North Dakota Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act to add dormancy rules for virtual currency, require liquidation before remittance, expand record‑retention for voluntary disclosures, permit database matching to mail checks, and ease multistate exam record sharing.",{"_32":100,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":101,"_40":102,"_42":103,"_44":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6127399,"Committee weighs bill to restore statewide publication of insurers’ abstracts",2525,311000,2836000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663441-77af758f13376962ec7ecec1908508cb&start=311&end=2836","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663441-77af758f13376962ec7ecec1908508cb/thumbnail_311000.jpg","/articles/6127399/North-Dakota/Committee-weighs-bill-to-restore-statewide-publication-of-insurers-abstracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6127399-503ada4ed5840a1ad7c6a5cb4540b9c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770041351&Signature=AHusewV0jFsSw3hPdPE0yZ0kRdh3fqnatvUwxS-1Wf3bcRR40M6b1qrv7uGiZJl42-9RXyuGx8wvtpYP6GHVgUocdAxj6HUx6DfJaXdthysG0lSvXUuEuSEQru7nAdHnG1VOgV~wB~q1NAg66Xf5Ms~l~I7E3t0ccFTjW-H-T7CaHTyl5patgPfL-iyXri0L7VX6-sFp7skLNxeSUX0V1lTZTr3lCz1md9u6A~FS0HhVGLUrDaDFUxShjCR4Blq739aGvccO4x1vJMNFBv1dswPqpzSDeTNiGNXNQEQB2KmyPxIDK3WXnVuv4sy9FSlP3rfJfDIy0U67C5oI6h5uZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Industry and Business Committee heard testimony on House Bill 1398 on March 17, a proposal to require insurers’ annual abstracts to be published across North Dakota’s newspapers rather than concentrated in a small set of papers.

Proponents said the change preserves a practice used since the 1930s and protects rural readers’ access to limited financial information about companies that insure them. Cecile Wurman, executive director of the North Dakota Newspaper Association, told the committee the Insurance Department this year directed that abstracts be printed in only eight papers, a change that will cut smaller weeklies and their readers out of that distribution. “This cuts out most rural people, even though small town weekly newspapers often have more readers,” Wurman said.

Supporters and several local publishers argued the abstracts have public value during a period of frequent extreme-weather claims and claim denials, and that printing abstracts supports small newspapers financially. Kelsey Majeschi, a publisher of 10 community papers, said fewer than 20% of her readers subscribe to the larger daily (the Forum) and that losing abstract revenue would cost each small paper between about $6,000 and $20,000 annually. Art Hegabach, a long‑time weekly owner, said the designation of only a few newspapers to print the abstracts amounted to a single official interpretation that changed a century of practice.

The Insurance Department, represented by Deputy Insurance Commissioner John Arnold, opposed the bill. Arnold said the abstracts are incomplete, North Dakota‑only snapshots of a company’s activity and are not legal notices. He noted that full annual statements and department examination reports are available digitally upon request and argued that the print abstracts give only limited information about an insurer’s overall solvency. “For any company that writes in more states than North Dakota, this does not give a complete financial indicator of the solvency of that company,” Arnold said.

As a compromise, Arnold described an alternative used in other states: periodic consumer notices paid for or run by the department that explain how to use the department’s consumer services. He cited Wyoming as an example that repealed the abstract requirement and printed recurring consumer‑assistance notices instead. Arnold also said the statute (section 26.1031) gives the commissioner authority to designate one paper in each judicial district and that the department chose the highest‑circulation paper in each district to maximize print reach.

Supporters and the department offered numbers to frame the fiscal impact: proponents said there are roughly 2,700 abstracts annually at a cost to the industry of about $250 per notice (about $675,000 before this year’s change); Wurman testified that restricting publication to insurers with in‑state bricks‑and‑mortar could reduce the number of notices this year by roughly one‑third and the total to about $420,000 spread over 73 newspapers if the historical distribution were retained. The department said the notices are fees paid by private companies to private newspapers and suggested replacing them with periodic consumer‑assistance advertisements that would go to all papers if the legislature wanted to continue supporting local media while improving public value.

The committee took public testimony from multiple publishers and from the Insurance Department. No final action was recorded at the hearing; the committee closed the hearing after testimony and will consider the bill and any amendments in committee.

","Supporters told the Senate Industry and Business Committee that House Bill 1398 would preserve a century-old practice of distributing insurers’ annual abstracts across all North Dakota newspapers; the Insurance Department argued the abstracts are limited, digital annual statements exist and proposed alternative consumer notices.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lawmakers consider creating North Dakota–Ireland trade commission to boost ties with EU gateway

Bill would broaden use of cigarette‑testing fund, move collections to insurance trust fund

Committee hears updates to state unclaimed‑property law, adds virtual‑currency rules and data‑matching authority

Committee weighs bill to restore statewide publication of insurers’ abstracts