Senate rejects bill to bar state support for public broadcasting; wider floor votes include school bus fine increase and Indian Child Welfare technical fixes

The North Dakota Senate on Monday rejected House Bill 12‑55, a proposal to prohibit state officers from using state or federal funds to support public broadcasting, by a 6‑41 vote.

"There are a lot of unintended consequences," said Senator Rohrs, the bill carrier, as he described concerns that the bill would prevent state pass‑throughs of federal funds and could affect weather alerts, educational services and leased tower uses. "Words matter. We can't define public broadcasting at this time, and no one has been able to figure out what that means," he told colleagues.

Supporters of cutting state support said public broadcasting had other revenue and reserves and questioned continued state funding. "They have $36 million in assets and $16 million in reserves," one senator said in floor debate, urging a green vote on the bill. Opponents said the network provides statewide emergency infrastructure and educational outreach that low‑income residents rely on. "This disadvantages our low‑income residents the most and those who have very spotty Internet coverage," Rohrs said, noting over‑the‑air broadcasting and towers used for the state's siren and interoperable radio networks.

After hours of debate on unintended consequences — including whether leases and public service announcements would be barred and whether the state would need to build its own towers for emergency alerts — the Senate voted the bill down, returning funding decisions to the appropriations process.

Votes at a glance from the day's floor session - Senate Concurrent Resolution 4027 (charitable gaming limitation on political campaign use): final passage passed 45‑2. - House Bill 15‑64 (Indian Child Welfare Act alignment with state law): final passage passed 47‑0. - House Bill 11‑83 (require treasurer to hold 1% of funds in gold and silver): final passage failed 13‑34. - House Bill 12‑94 (increase fine for passing a stopped school bus): final passage passed 45‑2. - House Bill 12‑55 (public broadcasting funding prohibition): final passage failed 6‑41.

The Senate record shows the floor repeatedly referred to operational impacts if HB 12‑55 had passed — from siren tower leases to school educational buses and local programming. Several senators urged the appropriations committee to continue oversight of funding decisions rather than adopt the statutory prohibition.

Other floor business: committee amendments to several house bills were adopted earlier in the day; the Senate also handled confirmations and committee reports and adjourned until Tuesday at 1 p.m.