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House panel approves bill to name state waltz, create state troubadour position
Summary
The House Political Subdivisions Committee voted to give House Bill 1397 a do‑pass recommendation after hearing testimony and a live performance by Chuck Suki; the bill would designate a state waltz and create a state troubadour position in state law.
The House Political Subdivisions Committee gave House Bill 1397 a do‑pass recommendation after Representative Todd Porter introduced the bill and musician Chuck Suki performed the song the bill would designate as the state waltz.
Porter, District 34 of Mandan, told the committee the bill would add new sections to the North Dakota Century Code to designate the state waltz and to create a state troubadour position within the North Dakota Council on the Arts. "It is my distinct honor to stand in front of you and introduce House Bill 1397," Porter said, recounting his personal connection to Suki and the song.
The bill text, as read to the committee, would add a new section to chapter 5402 and a new section to chapter 5454 of the North Dakota Century Code relating to the designation of the state waltz and the creation of a state troubadour position. Chuck Suki performed "Dancing Dakota" for the committee during the hearing; Suki told members the song title is "Dancing Dakota." Representative Clamine asked Suki to confirm the title after the performance; Suki answered that the title is "Dancing Dakota."
Committee members discussed technical points about whether names or positions belong in Century Code and confirmed legislative counsel guidance that positions can be placed in the code while individual names typically are not. Representative Mashenbacher moved the do‑pass recommendation; Representative Bosley seconded. The committee recorded a vote of 12 yeas, 0 nays, 1 absent, not voting on House Bill 1397. The chair announced the bill would be placed on the consent calendar unless objections were raised.
The bill as drafted designates the song by name and establishes the troubadour office; a separate concurrent resolution mentioned during the hearing would encourage appointment of Mr. Suki as the first state troubadour but was scheduled for a separate noticed hearing.
Committee action sends the measure forward with a favorable recommendation; further floor action and any eventual enactment would determine whether the troubadour position is filled and whether an individual is named to any term created by the law.
