[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6582656,"mediaKeyId","3058623-59a7383d38013a1e2d23bf72ad645bf2","parentId",3058623,"title","Senate floor roundup: agriculture funding, property-tax changes, energy study and multiple agency budgets advance","audioSeconds",3764,"startMs",1436000,"endMs",5200000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3058623-59a7383d38013a1e2d23bf72ad645bf2&start=1436&end=5200","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3058623-59a7383d38013a1e2d23bf72ad645bf2/thumbnail_1436000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6582656/North-Dakota/Senate-floor-roundup-agriculture-funding-property-tax-changes-energy-study-and-multiple-agency-budgets-advance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582656-af8f2c64d5322d49b7fa3f81d8237a27/orig.mp4?Expires=1774983097&Signature=AGP5sGICrnE7gWhoZsFo7YKEIFelysEXzjjeHXFGfOki1evR12pBOifCUxrtJySf6pWLVzlbpQpfo2VKCjim~5lHLuYAn6wJawI-1dymLGZJc8FhBH7JYkgjMdaOriF4LWUo1RsRn9JxnZP~6psfDpg8mqWBJcM1uuznF~ZKvDkG-GPGOuLaAtZk9TVH1hbTCLFMNabM31KfreZvMmgDqiaOczg1nc9MMVehJTCJYdTjMNtKsJW4AQ~sRkWhuC~9FyHKC1InP~rAXXz4fvbu1UbYt9QYQEp-e3o3Si7LyD080fPcFOyQp--I5VVsgpD8uhcHn2rle0SFU01rTIEKww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota State Legislature","date","2025-04-18T00:00:00Z","article","The North Dakota Senate handled a broad set of budget and policy measures on Friday, approving appropriations bills, confirming an appointment, advancing tax and agricultural measures and voting on several agency budgets.

Major outcomes recorded on the floor excerpt include:

- House Bill 1009 (agriculture commissioner budget): The Senate adopted committee amendments to the agriculture commissioner’s budget that restored or adjusted multiple funding lines (including $113,382 general fund for a plant-protection FTE, $80,000 to restore grape-and-wine grant program funding, $150,000 IRF fund for aerial predator control pilot services, and $5,500,000 total SIF one-time appropriations for specified programs). The bill passed final passage on the floor with a recorded vote of 44 yeas, 2 nays and 2 absent.

- House Bill 1168 (property tax / primary residence credit and related changes): The Finance and Tax Committee presented amendments that raise the primary-residence credit cap, adjust timing for county payments, exempt townships from duplicate votes, adjust disabled-veteran exemption parity, and add future intent language for distribution of legacy fund property-tax relief to other classes. The Senate adopted the committee’s amendments and re-referred the bill to Appropriations.

- House Bill 1298 (speed limits, fines, points, variable speed zones): The Senate passed an amended package (see separate article). Division votes and final passage were recorded on the floor.

- House Bill 1579 (legislative management study on large energy consumers): The Senate approved the bill directing legislative management to study the impact of large energy consumers, including grid stability, siting and regulatory structure and economic impacts; the committee reported a 7–0 do-pass recommendation and the bill passed on a roll call of 46 yeas, 0 nays, 1 absent.

- Senate Bill 2086 (pesticide certification standards): The Senate concurred in minor House technical amendments and then passed the bill by roll call (46–0). Sponsors said the bill updates state certification standards to meet federal EPA requirements and maintain the statewide applicator certification program.

- Senate Bill 2021 (Information Technology Department budget): The Senate concurred in House amendments that reduced some proposed IT spending and then passed the budget on final passage (final tally 47 yeas, 1 nay, 1 absent). Sponsors described the changes as timing and prioritization adjustments, including reduced additions for cybersecurity contracts and some licensing.

- Senate Bill 2025 (Department of Veterans Affairs budget): The chamber concurred in House amendments that restored FTEs and added funding for homeless-veteran services and authorized federal spending authority for rural transportation grants; the bill passed with the emergency clause and was described as restoring staffing and providing new authorities for veterans services.

- Senate Bill 2267 (on-site wastewater treatment systems): The Senate concurred in House amendments to reform oversight and funding for on-site wastewater systems, including one-time appropriations for DEQ regulatory oversight; the bill passed on final reading.

- Senate Bill 2327 (agriculture diversification and development fund): The Senate concurred in House amendments establishing committee membership and per diem details; the bill passed final reading.

Additional floor business: The Senate received correspondence from the governor requesting confirmation of an appointment to the North Dakota Gaming Commission (Dan Kovacs); the procedural committee recommended confirmation and the chamber adopted the committee report. The Senate also approved committee appointments for several conference committees and made minor personnel and clerical corrections to the journal.

Votes at a glance (selected items from floor excerpt):
- House Bill 1009 (Agriculture budget): Passed 44–2–2 (yea–nay–absent).
- House Bill 1168 (Property-tax amendments): Committee amendments adopted; re-referred to Appropriations (vote to adopt amendment recorded as adopted; exact final roll-call on passage not in excerpt).
- House Bill 1298 (Speed limits/fines/points): Passed (division votes recorded: Division A 28–18; Division B 30–16; final passage 25–20–1).
- House Bill 1579 (Study on large energy consumers): Passed 46–0–1 (yea–nay–absent).
- Senate Bill 2086 (Pesticide certification): Concurred in House amendments; final passage 46–0–0.
- Senate Bill 2021 (IT budget): Final passage 47–1–1.
- Senate Bill 2025 (Veterans Affairs): Concurred in House amendments and final passage (vote recorded; emergency clause adopted).
- Senate Bill 2267 (On-site wastewater): Passed (final tally recorded as passed with 1 abstention noted in transcript segment).
- Senate Bill 2327 (Ag diversification): Passed on final reading (roll-call recorded as passed).

What to watch next: Several bills that passed the Senate will proceed to conference committees or return to the House for concurrence where House–Senate amendments exist. Conference committees were anticipated to meet through the weekend and into Monday, and leaders asked senators to keep schedules flexible for potential evening and Saturday work.

This floor excerpt covered a mix of appropriations, regulatory updates, statutory amendments and policy studies, reflecting the late-session push to complete bills before adjournment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","69th Legislative Assembly - Senate Friday, Apr 18, 2025 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM","oneSentenceSummary","The North Dakota Senate advanced and passed a set of appropriations and policy bills, including the agriculture department budget, a property-tax amendment package (sent to appropriations), a study of large energy consumers, and several agency budgets.","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},6582661,"Senate passes package raising some speed limits, changing fines and points, and authorizing variable speed zones",1612,2716000,4328000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3058623-59a7383d38013a1e2d23bf72ad645bf2&start=2716&end=4328","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3058623-59a7383d38013a1e2d23bf72ad645bf2/thumbnail_2716000.jpg","/articles/6582661/North-Dakota/Senate-passes-package-raising-some-speed-limits-changing-fines-and-points-and-authorizing-variable-speed-zones","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582661-7c003394effb17904eac157f2865febb/orig.mp4?Expires=1774983097&Signature=VuhX9cdUneUV99Bbrv~eh2SlFgEYqmhAerkAl3xRZdqFzG2Dcllpid73D9-Lfwa0cZyvd2Ljg80aD~7qtqKi5sVZ3RvM0pKiqP~IAvicV0~r1cARApAtTara09m9~PMkqhImQRb6hThKkMlOiD72BUALxLL6HUj-SMaMNqHMpbsGMGPts9uqrzD6YOlBjARSj7mlMz8wlwHMpsK9RiqDbJiDU3-VG8giDg0n5Zr0vEdaKEhl7RPJCe2mKmUbKD9lvGukImOtguFECmkQgSZgCZZm7enfv78a6zCEZ1lP30DTH6I1HuyCbTAWnYln1g2ZygiNZaaptB71h3f8Iy-MdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Dakota Senate on Friday passed House Bill 12-98 with amendments that include a package of changes to speed limits, statutory fine schedules, the driver-point system and a new mechanism for variable speed-limit adjustment zones on state highways.

The bill’s sponsor, Senator Rummel, said the package pairs an increase in interstate speed limits with safety measures: simplified fees, a revised point system for high-priority violations and authorization for the Department of Transportation and the Highway Patrol to temporarily lower posted speeds in identified problem locations. “People most likely drive the speed that they feel safe and comfortable at,” Rummel said in floor remarks explaining the package.

Key elements adopted by the Senate:
- A simplification of speeding fees to $5 for each mile per hour over the limit across zones; the measure removes a complex multi-tier fee schedule.
- Assignment of three points to each of 29 high-priority violations the committee identified, and an adjusted points schedule tied to license suspension rules.
- Authorization for the Department of Transportation to install variable speed-limit signs; the DOT director and the superintendent of the Highway Patrol may adjust posted speeds temporarily due to unsafe conditions at identified pilot sites.
- An upward adjustment in some interstate speed limits (the sponsor noted prior bills and gubernatorial vetoes on similar speed-limit increases).

The measure was debated at length. Opponents argued the increase in permitted speeds could cost lives and raised concerns about workforce impacts when employees lose driving privileges because of points. Senator Dwyer said the faster speeds “will cost some lives” and urged keeping the limit at 75 mph. Senator Grama warned that increased points could affect employees’ ability to drive company vehicles and raise insurance costs.

Supporters including Senator Paulson and others stressed the variable-speed signs as a safety tool and said fines and points were long overdue adjustments. Several senators cited a video provided to members showing interstate pileups in hazardous conditions; sponsors said those incidents motivated variable-speed pilots. Senator Rummel and other proponents noted that neighboring states allow interstate speeds up to 80 mph and that North Dakota’s observed average interstate speed was in the low 80s.

The Senate first voted on a floor division of the bill. Division A (sections 3–5, covering speed-limit changes) passed 28 yeas to 18 nays. Division B (the remainder, including fines and points) passed 30 yeas to 16 nays. On final passage the secretary recorded a tally of 25 yeas, 20 nays and 1 absent; the presiding officer announced the bill had passed.

Senator Meyer and others urged focusing the bill on the interstate speed limit element; opponents said separating the package could have unintended consequences for municipal fine-doubling provisions tied to municipal court revenue. The carrier said the package was intended to be considered together and said a conference committee would follow if needed.

The enacted language covers statutory fee schedules, changes to driver-record point assignments, variable speed zones, and related penalties. The bill’s fiscal note was described in committee discussion as minimal for sign replacement because DOT replaces signs regularly; sponsors said most costs were implementation timing rather than new ongoing expenditures.

The Senate approved the bill after the division votes and final roll call; the measure will proceed as part of the legislative process and may be subject to a conference committee.","The Senate approved House Bill 12-98 with amendments that increase interstate speed limits in parts of the bill, simplify speeding fees to $5 per mile over the limit, assign points to priority violations, and authorize variable speed-limit adjustment zones; the measure passed after division votes and floor debate.",{"_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},6582664,"Senate rejects resolution urging mandatory-reporting requirement for public officials",607,825000,1432000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3058623-59a7383d38013a1e2d23bf72ad645bf2&start=825&end=1432","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3058623-59a7383d38013a1e2d23bf72ad645bf2/thumbnail_825000.jpg","/articles/6582664/North-Dakota/Senate-rejects-resolution-urging-mandatory-reporting-requirement-for-public-officials","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582664-dde2fac7e3c71b1cfcb88caa4d899083/orig.mp4?Expires=1774983097&Signature=eMRZ9pB0-vneV~Fo39OJdfI2ajB3woMKjT3hVhhTw~9eVpGTN7XroFzB1oi6Bg01NPBE1Qbs7e4D2M39rCXXEungNrA4JOxYH9hxCY6vEq0yvVrLQviOoafZYEnXsU0pHRh2vWLM8RTHCETcrXjvc~qmCkwWFRAa5lhOjLR9SuKKOBzkzHeJwwSzxwF4dTJdHZKv~WainTB7SYlVuN8kWY69N91j47pioboAuUoDDvtJhcfc7DsLa7971SAZmdyvhSfuChOd3AIC4z3T73QTQbj-VPLR38kggdB90ZWCSQmw2jRgru7QuGY3P55tdw1IOY0nrzlXYV4gufJOGLtAYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Dakota Senate on Friday rejected House Concurrent Resolution 3,037, a nonbinding measure urging the Seventieth Legislative Assembly to consider requiring public officials to be mandatory reporters of child exploitation and abuse.

Supporters said the resolution signals concern about child exploitation; opponents said making all public officials mandatory reporters would be broad, impractical and risk swamping child-protection systems. The chamber voted by voice; the presiding officer announced that the resolution failed.

The resolution had been placed on the floor after a motion to suspend the rules. Senator Sarah Klein moved that the resolution be printed and placed immediately on the calendar; that motion was adopted. Debate followed from both sides of the chamber.

Senator Bridal, a vocal opponent on the floor, described the proposal as a political response to prior misconduct and argued the change would be “a political knee jerk reaction that accomplishes absolutely 0.” Bridal said many mandated reporters in current law are professionals who encounter children in an official capacity—nurses, doctors, social workers, counselors and clergy—and asked senators to consider differences in exposure and training before expanding the class of mandated reporters.

Senator Rohrs and others raised statutory and procedural concerns. Rohrs cited the language of North Dakota statute he referenced on the floor and noted that current law requires reports to the Department of Health and Human Services or its authorized agent when knowledge arises in an individual’s official or professional capacity. He warned that adding elected officials could create duplicate reports and could “bog down” child-protection workers with repeated notifications of matters already reported.

Several senators who are licensed social workers or otherwise subject to mandatory-reporting laws emphasized the need for training. Senator Mather, who identified herself as a licensed social worker, said mandated reporters must complete hours of training when relicensing and that legislators would need similar training to distinguish cases properly.

After debate the Senate proceeded to a voice vote on final passage. The presiding officer announced, “Nay. House Concurrent Resolution 3,037 has failed.” The motion to suspend rules that brought the resolution to the floor had been sponsored by Senator Klein; no formal recorded roll-call on final passage was taken in the transcript provided.

The resolution was nonbinding: it urged the next standing legislative assembly to consider a statutory change but did not itself create a reporting obligation. Opponents repeatedly emphasized that existing law and reporting channels—local law enforcement, the BCI and the Attorney General’s office, and DHHS—already handle mandated reports.

With the resolution defeated, senators left open the option of statutory proposals in the next session to address concerns about child exploitation, but no further action on this resolution was recorded on the floor during the session excerpted here.","The North Dakota Senate voted down House Concurrent Resolution 3,037, a nonbinding measure urging next session to consider making public officials mandatory reporters, after floor debate about scope, training needs and unintended consequences.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate floor roundup: agriculture funding, property-tax changes, energy study and multiple agency budgets advance

Senate passes package raising some speed limits, changing fines and points, and authorizing variable speed zones

Senate rejects resolution urging mandatory-reporting requirement for public officials