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Committee removes 'minimum wage' wording in HB 1066, passes bill as amended
Summary
The House Human Services Committee voted to accept an amendment that replaces a state 'minimum wage' reference with federal‑compatible 'compensation rate' language in House Bill 1066, then passed the bill as amended on a roll call vote.
The North Dakota House Human Services Committee on an undisclosed date accepted an amendment to House Bill 1066 that replaces state “minimum wage” wording with a compensation‑rate formulation aligned to federal regulations, then voted to pass the bill as amended.
Committee members said the change was intended to avoid confusion between state minimum‑wage law and the payment cap that applies to participants in the federal job‑training program referenced in the bill. Committee members noted the program is governed by federal rules that set the permissible maximum pay for participants and that the federal regulation also limits the number of participants in the program.
Representative Freilich moved to accept the amendment; the chair said a voice vote was permissible and used a policy from the previous session allowing voice votes on amendments. After the chair called for “ayes,” the amendment was declared carried and the committee proceeded to consider the amended bill.
Representative Belz moved to pass House Bill 1066 as amended; Representative Anderson seconded. The committee recorded a roll call vote with the following votes: Chairman Ruby (yes), Vice Chairman Freilich (yes), Representative Anderson (yes), Representative Belt (yes), Representative Belinsky (yes), Representative Davis (yes), Representative Dobrovich (yes), Representative Faguley (yes), Representative Hendricks (yes), Representative Holly (yes), Representative Kiefert (yes), Representative Rios (yes) and Representative Roehart (no). The motion passed.
Committee discussion noted that a federal regulation caps participation at 49 participants; witnesses and members said current participation in the program is well below that cap and that participants are typically allowed in the program for up to two years. Committee members also observed that if participation rose and federal rules required changes that had fiscal impact, counties or the state would need to seek appropriations at that time.
No further committee action on HB 1066 was recorded in the transcript excerpt provided.
