Committee hears competing views on bill to move municipal bond votes to primary ballots

The Senate Finance and Taxation Committee on Wednesday heard testimony on House Bill 1482, which would amend provisions of the North Dakota Century Code to remove special elections as an option for municipal bond votes and instead require those votes to appear on primary elections (with supporters saying the general election remains available).

Representative Scott Wagner, the bill's prime sponsor and a member of the North Dakota House of Representatives, told the committee HB 1482 "seeks to change the timing of an election that requires a public vote for the issuance of bonds" and would "remove the special election option and replace it with a primary election option." Wagner said the bill's goal is to "get the greatest engagement of our citizens and taxpayers on public bonding projects that require a public vote" and urged the committee to give HB 1482 a "do pass" recommendation.

Supporters at the hearing said scheduling bond questions on a date with higher turnout would increase public engagement and transparency. Eric Nygren of Walcott, who identified himself as a local park board member and Republican district chair, argued that bond measures that "seek to levy property taxes" should be on the primary or general ballot so…