Legislative Report: November 21, 2022

 As the 2021-2022 Legislative Interim work concludes, I want to provide a short summary of my work over the last few months.

 The Budget Section Committee received reports from several agencies as well as from the Office of Management and Budget. Because of increased oil production, North Dakota has taken in significantly more revenue from the oil taxes than projected. The oil tax increased over the summer months due to a trigger placed in Century Code that increases the tax to 6 percent when the price per barrel averages over $90 for three months. We reached that point over the summer, so increased revenues of approximately $150 million from that tax as compared to projections. That helps put North Dakota in a great position going into the 2023-2024 biennium.

 I also attended meetings of the Legacy Fund committee. We heard many proposals to use the interest from the Legacy Fund, along with some suggestions how to use the 20 percent of the principal that is required to be invested in North Dakota ventures. While the investments have experienced the same ups and downs of the stock market, the fund continues to do well and is expected to provide around $500 million in interest for the legislature to use.

 Legislative Procedures and Arrangements met to prepare for the upcoming session. A few changes will occur with some staffing, to ensure the tax dollars for employment are used efficiently. Legislative Council will be utilized as the official photographer for legislator’s photographs. In the past several bids were received from photographers across the state to contract for these photos. That did not happen this year, so Mr. John Bjornson, Legislative Council Director, had a staff person interested in the position and will combine that with the current job description for that individual. We also did some final adjustments to the Legislative Harassment Policy and additional training will be held during the organization session for legislators and staff.

 While I serve on several committees, I do want to take time here to provide information on the Children’s Cabinet I chair. This Cabinet has been charged with the oversight of all programs addressing the needs of children across the state. We met every month via virtual platform, except for July. In July we held a full-day in-person meeting and discussed three aspects of services to children. These were mental/behavior health services, workforce, and higher than average placement of Native American children in services. Prior to that, the Cabinet also did a deep dive into foster care services across the state and presented several recommendations to appropriate serving agencies for their consideration. In addition, the Cabinet also discussed the movement of services for Children in Need of Services from the court system to the Human Service Zones. That continues to be a process of education and staffing but is improving the services closer to home for children. As my legislative term ends, so will my connection with the Cabinet.

 Additional committees I serve on are Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review, Legislative Management, Administrative Rules, Water Topics, and Tribal State Relations Committee. I also serve as the representative to the Higher Education Challenge Grant Committee.

 I want to take this time to thank each of you for the opportunity to serve as your Senator for the past 16 years. There have been many different issues come forward, but I always tried to answer each and every concern presented to me. Your support has been instrumental in the work I did in the legislature. My hope is that you stay connected with your new legislators so they can assist you with any questions/concerns you have. I do plan on spending significant time listening in on the upcoming session virtually. You all have that same opportunity, and I would encourage you to do that as much as possible and also provide testimony to committees on issues important to you and your family.

 Thanks again, and I hope we can continue to stay in touch. My husband and I have purchased a home in Dickinson. That officially becomes our home December 1st. THANK YOU!

Senator Joan Heckaman

D-23