Senate confirms gaming commissioner nominee, adopts multiple amendments and rejects several bills including carbon-pipeline tax change

BISMARCK — The North Dakota Senate confirmed Michael Seminary to the North Dakota Gaming Commission and approved a string of floor amendments Tuesday while voting down several high-profile bills, lawmakers said on the floor.

The chamber voted 46-0 with one absent to advise and consent to the nomination of Michael Seminary to the Gaming Commission after the Senate’s select committee, chaired by Senator Gearhart, reported a 5-0 committee recommendation. Senator Castaneda, speaking for the committee on the floor, said the committee “had a very good conversation” with Seminary and added, “we hope that everyone votes green for Mister Seminary.” The nomination passed on a roll-call vote of 46 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent, the secretary reported.

Why it matters: Confirmation fills a current vacancy on a regulatory body the Legislature has discussed changing; the vote concludes the committee review and places Seminary on the commission pending any further statutory or executive changes to the commission’s role.

In addition to the confirmation, senators approved amendments to multiple bills on the floor, including measures dealing with fuel-testing fees, survivors' services, caregiver pilot programs, IT project governance, correctional health oversight, psychiatric residential treatment reimbursement, and adult residential care facility rules. Several of those amended bills were re-referred to the Appropriations Committee for funding review.

Key floor outcomes and context

- Confirmation: Michael Seminary, nominee to the North Dakota Gaming Commission — Passed, 46 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent. The select committee reported a unanimous 5-0 advisory recommendation. Senator Castaneda said Seminary has served on the commission since 2019 and signaled he would push to expand the commission’s role if given additional…