North Dakota Senate approves several bills, reassigns others to committees

Bismarck — The North Dakota Senate on Jan. 14 adopted amendments to several bills and gave final passage to measures ranging from construction bid procedures to genetic counseling rules, while reassigning a number of bills to different committees for further work.

Senators voted unanimously or by recorded roll calls on the largest items. Senate Bill 2063, which amends section 24-2-20 of the North Dakota Century Code to give the Department of Transportation additional discretion over bid resubmissions for construction contracts, passed on final passage, 47-0. Senate Bill 2085, a measure to designate the agriculture commissioner as the official state agency to participate in the United States Swine Health Improvement Plan, passed 45-0 on final passage. Senate Bill 2060, clarifying tracking for state property constructed in flood plains to maintain participation in the National Flood Insurance Program, passed 47-0. Senate Bill 2040, allowing genetic counselors to order genetic testing and aligning exam requirements with the American Board of Genetic Counseling, passed 47-0. Senate Bill 2078, clarifying governing-body language and adding references to policies and bylaws for the North Dakota State Hospital, passed 46-1.

Why it matters: The package includes measures with direct effects on state regulatory practice (SB 2063, SB 2060), public-health and industry preparedness (SB 2085), professional scope for genetic counselors (SB 2040), and…