N.D. House Update: Nov. 22, 2021

The North Dakota Legislature met in special session last week to deal with redistricting, tax relief, covid-related issues, and the allocation of American Rescue Plan Act federal funds. The Legislature was called into special session by Governor Doug Burgum.

The redistricting of the legislature takes place every ten years after the federal census reports new numbers for the state. Because of the loss of population in rural areas across the state, three rural districts including District 23, were combined with others. A district was added in Cass County, and two others were added in western North Dakota because of the growth in their population.

Twenty-eight districts, mostly rural, did not have the population to sustain their district and most needed 2,500 to 3,000 people to keep their district whole. The only way to find the additional people needed was to take from a neighboring district, which was also most likely short of population.

District 23 was divided, with parts of it placed in three other districts. Griggs, Nelson, and Steele counties were placed into District 29 with Foster County and part of rural Stutsman County. Eddy County was placed in District 14 with Pierce, Sheridan, Wells, Kidder, and part of Benson County. The area of Benson County in District 23, which includes the Spirit Lake Nation, was placed into District 15 with all of Ramsey County and part of Towner County. The district’s incumbent legislators will need to decide in the future if they wish to be a candidate in their new district. Their present terms will expire on December 1, 2022.

In other action, the legislature granted significant tax relief to citizens of our state. HB1515, passed by both chambers and signed by the Governor, will provide up to a $350 state income tax credit to each North Dakota resident who files an individual income tax return and up to a $700 state income tax credit to each couple filing a joint return for tax years 2021 and 2022. SB2351, passed by the members and signed by the Governor, eliminates state income tax liability on Social Security earnings. The state becomes the 38th state to eliminate state income tax on Social Security earnings.

Legislative members also allocated nearly one billion dollars of federal funds for an array of infrastructure, energy, higher education and economic development projects and initiatives.

Significant funds will be directed into our district as part of the funding efforts to provide money for county and township infrastructure, long-term care facilities, rural broadband, and other items vital to every area of the state.

The legislature allocated $150 million for startup costs to build a natural gas pipeline that will move natural gas from western North Dakota to the eastern part of the state. Eventually, communities across the state will be able to tap into that main line to provide natural gas for many uses, including agricultural production facilities, economic development needs, residential and business usage and much more. The line will be a win - win for the state, as it enables additional oil and gas production in western North Dakota, while providing the natural gas needed in many areas across the state.

The legislature also provided $20.8 million dollars for long-term care facility assistance, and an additional $2.95 million for basic care facilities, and $1.25 million for assisted living facilities.

HB1505 provides $317 million for highway, road, and bridge projects, of which $100 million is dedicated for counties, and $17 million for townships.

The legislature tightened up the rules on the use of vaccine mandates in the state as they strived to protect the rights of the individuals and private business. They also passed a law that stopped the state health department from using electronic codes or action to establish a vaccine passport in the state.

The state is currently involved in three lawsuits, led by Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, to try have the federal vaccine mandates overturned. Legislative members and the Governor are all supporting the actions of our Attorney General.

The North Dakota Legislature overwhelmingly passed bills banning the teaching of critical race theory in public schools and restricting vaccine mandates, sending the measures on to Governor Burgum, who signed both into law.

When he signed the bill, Governor Burgum said, “This bill addresses the concerns of parents, while preserving the decision-making authority of local school boards to approve curriculum that is factual, objective and aligned with state content standards.”

We want to thank all the residents of our district for the input you provided us as we went through the special session. Certainly, the changes to our district will provide some challenges and opportunities in the future. We will decide on our respective political futures as District 29 makes decisions on candidates for the next election. Those decisions will be made early next year.

As we close out this month, we want to wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving. As we look ahead to the end of the year, we want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Best wishes everyone!

Bill and Don