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Freshman training and expanded organizational session proposed to prepare new legislators
Summary
Representative Jared Hendricks proposed House Bill 1257 to expand the legislative organizational session and add structured training so newly elected legislators are better prepared. Sponsors and some constitution officers supported an idea of an academy or recorded briefings; committee members discussed alternatives and next steps.
Representative Jared Hendricks (District 10, Fargo) introduced House Bill 1257, which would expand the December organizational session to provide additional orientation, training and presentations by legislative counsel and statewide elected officials. Hendricks told the Government and Veterans Affairs Committee that increased turnover under new term limits is making it harder for freshmen to be ready on day one and argued a longer organized session or a pre-session "academy" would help members "hit the ground running."
Hendricks suggested Legislative Council present committee and floor rules, show how the budget process works, and give access to statewide elected officials so incoming legislators can learn priorities and form partnerships before session begins. He estimated legislative pay and lodging would be the primary increased cost for the added days and said he would work to limit additional expense if the committee prefers a shorter timeframe or a split model.
Several committee members favored the idea of a legislative academy or recorded briefings in November rather than mandating extra days during the organizational session. Insurance Commissioner John Godfrey and other constitutionally elected officers supported the concept of a briefing or joint session to make their offices’ roles and policy issues familiar to new members; Commissioner Godfrey offered his office’s willingness to provide a substantive presentation and Q&A. Committee members asked Hendricks to work with Legislative Council on options; no committee vote was taken during the hearing.
