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 governance clarifications for the State Hospital (SB 2078). Several items also included emergency clauses or formatting and code-cleanup amendments intended to align state law with federal requirements or current practice.

Key actions and committee moves

- Senate Bill 2176: Senator Klein moved that Senate Bill 2176 be returned to the Senate floor from the Education Committee; the motion prevailed. Klein then moved that the bill be re-referred to the Human Services Committee; that motion also prevailed. These were voice motions recorded in the transcript as adopted.

- Senate Bill 2033: Senator Klein moved that Senate Bill 2033 be re-referred to the Appropriations Committee; the motion prevailed.

Amendments adopted in committee (voice votes; committees reported unanimous where noted)

- Senate Bill 2087: Senator Lem presented an amendment that, among other changes, removed the phrase "or an authorized administrator" from portions of sections 2 and 3 and noted that Legislative Council had already removed an unnecessary portion. The committee reported the amendment 6-0; the Senate adopted the proposed amendment by voice vote.

- Senate Bill 2073: The Committee on State and Local Government recommended adopting Amendment 4 to conform language in the treasurer's background-check provisions to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) wording; the amendment changes "each individual" to "an applicant or employee" and removes "independent contractors." The committee voted unanimously and the Senate adopted the amendment.

- Senate Bill 2051: A committee amendment added an emergency clause to a bill from the Private Investigator and Security Board increasing certain fees; the Senate adopted the amendment by voice vote.

- Senate Bill 2075: The Transportation Committee's amendment reordered elements in subsection 5 for clarity and added an emergency clause to align state law with federal short-haul hours (extending a 12-hour to a 14-hour allowed shift for intrastate short-haul commercial drivers); the committee voted 6-0 and the Senate adopted the amendment.

Votes at a glance (final passage tallies from roll call)

- Senate Bill 2063 (amend section 24-2-20, bid resubmissions for construction contracts): Passed, 47-0. - Senate Bill 2085 (create new chapter for participation in U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan): Passed, 45-0. - Senate Bill 2060 (amend 61-16.2-12, state property in flood plain tracking): Passed, 47-0. - Senate Bill 2040 (allow genetic counselors to order testing; align exam standards): Passed, 47-0. - Senate Bill 2078 (amend North Dakota Century Code sections relating to the State Hospital; add policies/bylaws references): Passed, 46-1.

What lawmakers said

Senator Lem, sponsor for the amendment to SB 2087, described the change as technical and focused on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s premises-management database: "it pertains to the USDA's ... premises management database and North Dakota Century Code 4.1-72-05," and said the committee had removed unnecessary language and voted 6-0 in favor.

Senator Weston, speaking on SB 2085, said the bill would grant the agriculture commissioner authority to serve as the official state agency for the swine health plan, creating an industry-driven infrastructure to prepare for foreign animal disease incursions.

Senator Dwyer asked what rules would be adopted under the new chapter created by SB 2085: "What would be the possible rules that would be adopted under this chapter...?" Senator Klein responded that the change allows the agency to work with the USDA to develop rules "so they can comply by what they're being asked to do," enabling negotiation and movement rather than delay.

Process notes and next steps

Most committee-recommended amendments were reported unanimously (committees repeatedly recorded 6-0 votes for the amendments presented in the transcript). Several bills adopted emergency clauses or alignment edits to match federal or BCI language. Bills re-referred to appropriations or human services committees will receive further committee consideration per the Senate motions recorded on the floor. The Senate adjourned to reconvene at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025.

Ending note: The transcript shows routine floor procedure — roll call, committee reports, voice votes for amendments, and roll-call tallies on final passages — with senators asking clarifying questions before several final votes.