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Legislative Management directs review of postsession veto process after partial veto of SB 2014
Summary
The Legislative Management voted to direct the Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Committee to review postsession veto procedures and options related to the Attorney General's opinion on the Governor's partial veto of Senate Bill No. 2014 and report draft legislation within 90 days.
Senator David Hogue, chairman of the Legislative Management, opened discussion July 11 on options available after the Governor’s partial veto of Senate Bill No. 2014 and the June 10, 2025, opinion of the North Dakota Attorney General.
The Legislative Management voted to direct the Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Committee to "review the postsession veto process and options to address the Attorney General's opinion and provide recommendations to the Legislative Management on draft legislation within 90 days." Representative Mike Lefor moved the directive; Senator Kathy Hogan seconded. The motion carried on a roll-call vote with 17 members voting "aye" and no negative votes recorded.
John Bjornson, Director of the Legislative Council, told the committee the Attorney General's opinion instructs the disbursement of the full $35 million appropriated in Section 7 of the bill, while the Office of Management and Budget indicated it would refrain from disbursing the $150,000 the Governor asserted he intended to veto. Bjornson also warned the opinion rests on current statute and "may be rendered meaningless if the statutes on which it is based are subsequently amended by the Legislative Assembly to provide for more defined veto procedures."
Committee members raised options including litigation, calling a special session to override the veto, drafting clarifying legislation on veto procedures, or sustaining the veto. Members emphasized the importance of clarifying the veto process and maintaining the balance of power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The committee’s charge is limited to reviewing the postsession veto process and preparing draft legislative recommendations; any subsequent steps (litigation or an override) would require separate action by the Assembly or individual members.
The committee set a 90-day deadline for the Legislative Procedure and Arrangements Committee to return draft legislation and recommendations to Legislative Management. The committee recorded the directive and will monitor developments related to the Attorney General's opinion and executive-branch compliance.
