Committee advances bill to give $250 one‑time WSI premium credit to veteran‑owned startups and surviving spouses

The House Industry, Business and Labor Committee voted to recommend engrossed Senate Bill 20‑46 after a brief hearing that drew no opposition testimony.

Senate Bill 20‑46 would authorize Workforce Safety and Insurance to grant a one‑time workers’ compensation premium credit of up to $250 to a new employer if the business is at least 50% owned by an active member of the North Dakota National Guard, a veteran as defined by state law, or the surviving spouse of a veteran. WSI witness Anne Green said the agency selected $250 because that figure equals the agency's minimum premium charge and is commonly the full first‑year premium for many very small employers.

The nut graf: supporters said the credit is a modest, targeted incentive to reduce startup costs for veterans, Guard members and surviving spouses who form new businesses. WSI also used the bill to request technical edits allowing electronic delivery of appealable decisions when the agency’s new technology platforms are in place. No opponents testified at the hearing.

Representative Schauer offered the committee's motion for a do‑pass recommendation. Vice Chair Johnson seconded. The committee roll call recorded 11 yes, 0 no and 2 absent, and the committee identified a member who would carry the bill to the full chamber.

WSI told the committee it expects to implement electronic notice functionality in coming releases of its multi‑year technology upgrade and that the statutory language would permit WSI to offer electronic delivery once recipients opt in and the system can log receipt. Committee members asked for the number of employers that currently pay WSI’s minimum premium; WSI said many employers are minimum‑premium accounts and offered to provide an exact figure to the committee.

The committee recessed following the vote and scheduled further business later in the session.