N.D. Senate Update for Feb. 18, 2019

This week I completed the testimony in the Senate on the last few bills I sponsored. I introduced SB 2266 which would provide that K-12 schools have a policy on the seclusion and restraint of students. This bill is similar to one from last session. Families came from across the state to provide testimony in favor of this bill. Schools not only need a policy, they need funds to train teachers and staff in techniques in deescalating students, planning positive interventions and notifying parents. The bill is still in committee.

SB 2228 would return teachers conference to the same week and days as the fall administrators conference. This practice began a couple of years ago when teacher's conference was discontinued, but the Department of Public Instruction continued its professional development conference the week before the administrator's conference. What happens now is that schools send teachers to the DPI conference for two days and have to hire subs for staff attending the conference, plus registration, mileage and lodging. Then the next week when the administrators have their conference, school is not in session because of the Department of Public Instruction mandate. This bill is still in committee.

I also introduced SB 2354 for the Northwest Landowners. The bill addresses the value of property restoration in reclaimed areas of the state. Northwest Landowners came in and testified why this bill is necessary. The bill was moved out of committee with a Do Not Pass recommendation and failed in the Senate. There continue to be disagreements between landowners and energy companies on restoration issues.

The Senate and House Ethics Committees continue to meet weekly. This week additional testimony was provided to the Senate committee on the merits of the Senate bill. Work will continue next week on this bill before it comes to the floor for a vote next week.

I participated in the press conference to discuss a new method to distribute oil and gas tax revenue on the Three Affiliated Tribes Nation. SB 2312 will change the distribution to Mandan-Hidatsa-Arikara on an 80/20 percent split favoring the Tribe on Trust Land and an 80/20 percent split favoring the state on Fee Land. This is a plan that combines with two other taxation bills that were developed in the Tribal Taxation Interim Committee that I serve on.

Other activities this week where I had an active part were the Recovery Day held Monday in Memorial Hall. The Governor and First Lady, along with Senate and House Leadership, held a program to highlight important collaborative efforts taking place in the 2019 session.

Tuesday morning, I joined leadership from the Senate and House for a panel discussion focusing on North Dakota nonprofits and the work they do.

Immediately following that, I spoke briefly to the North Dakota Association of Realtors and Homebuilders who were in the Capitol for a meeting and to participate in the legislative process.

Also, on Tuesday, I testified on a neutral basis to the House Education Committee on SB 1500 which is the Higher Education Governance bill to change the number of Higher Education Boards overseeing our colleges. I provided some questions and thoughts I believe the committee needed to consider as they heard support and opposition to SB 1500. Eventually, the committee brought out a Do Not Pass recommendation to that bill. It still is awaiting a final vote in the House. In the meantime, there is an effort in the Senate to introduce a resolution addressing needs identified by the Higher Education Governance Task Force to retain the one board model with some changes. If this resolution would pass both chambers, it would have to be placed on the 2020 ballot because the current model of governance is in the Constitution and needs a majority vote by the North Dakota citizens to change to a different model. More to come on this later in the week or early next week.

Wednesday, I enjoyed Public Health Day and the opportunity to visit with Julie Ferry and other Public Health representatives who had booths in Memorial Hall. Thanks to her and her staff for the important work they do for the Nelson and Griggs District Health Unit.

Weather this week prevented citizens from coming to the Capitol to testify. If that happens, and you want to provide testimony on a certain bill, just email the testimony to me and I will make sure it gets to the appropriate committee for their consideration. I may not be able to read all the testimony in person, but I will make sure the committee has copies to ready and consider.

As we near the cross over date, we will begin having longer floor sessions to consider all Senate bills before Feb. 20. The Senate should finish our work by that afternoon or evening, thus giving us a few days off before we return on Wednesday, Feb. 27 for the second half of the session.

You can reach me at [email protected] or by calling (701) 302-0355.

Have a great week!