Senate approves oil-impact debt relief, a missing Indigenous people task force and an opt-out vaccine law; several budget measures pass

Bismarck — The North Dakota Senate on the floor approved a package of bills that reshaped tax allocations for oil-impacted cities, created a Missing Indigenous People Task Force and enacted a contested opt-out procedure for required vaccines, while also passing multiple appropriation measures for state agencies.

The package includes a bill to direct additional production-tax revenue to Dickinson, Minot and Williston to help repay oil-related debt; a new task force and data changes to address missing Indigenous people; a temporary moratorium and study on how certain water-conveyance projects are assessed; and a law that creates an opt-out process for some vaccine requirements. Lawmakers also passed budget bills covering the state treasurer, the Retirement and Investment Office and an increase to the personal-needs allowance for Medicaid beneficiaries in long-term care facilities.

Senate Bill 2323: oil-impact debt relief Senate Bill 2323, carried in the Senate by Senator Robert Weber, adjusts how oil-and-gas production tax revenue is allocated so the three Bakken hub cities receive targeted debt relief. Weber said the conference version moves the allocation from the 1% state share of gross production tax to a distribution tied to the 4% share and limits the program with a sunset date. "This amendment is a good compromise to what we have previously passed and it does help relieve the hub city's debt obligations," Senator Weber said. The Senate gave final passage to SB2323, 46 yeas, 1 nay.

House Bill 1199: missing Indigenous people task force House Bill 1199 creates a Missing Indigenous…