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During the 69th Legislative Assembly, North Dakota Democratic-NPL Insider will provide updates and calls to action each day of the regular session. If you would like to have something added to the newsletter, email us at [email protected]. Spread the word of our newsletter by sharing our sign-up link today: https://demnpl.com/join-our-newsletter/.
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The North Dakota Legislative Session is fast-paced and every bill gets a vote unless it's withdrawn. Are there bills you want to know more about or bills that you are following that you think should get more attention? Please let us know!
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What happened today?
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Good News! The bill to reinstate North Dakota’s blue laws was soundly defeated! Ultimately only Matthew Heilman (R-7), Jeff Hoverson (R-3), Jorin Johnson (R-41), and Nico Rios (R-23) voted for the bill.
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Jim Kasper (R-46) withdrew his bill to allow lawmakers to be reimbursed for meals they buy during any gathering of the legislature. Bill Tviet also withdrew his resolution to urge the United States Supreme Court to restore the definition of marriage to a union between one man and one woman.
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What's coming up?
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Monday, January 20 is the deadline for Representatives to submit bills; Senators will have an additional week.
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Democratic-NPL Bills
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Sen. Tim Mathern (D-11) will introduce SB 2097 which would rural community endowment fund. Michael Standaert of the North Dakota News Cooperative covered this bill. Read his article HERE
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2025-01-10 ZAC ISTA - LEGISLATURE TODAY
HOUSE MINORITY LEADER ZAC ISTA: NAVIGATING NORTH DAKOTA’S REPUBLICAN SUPERMAJORITY - In this insightful segment of Open Range, House Minority Leader Zac Ista from District 43 shares his journey into politics and his role as the voice of North Dakota’s Democrats. As the leader of the 11-member Democratic caucus in the state’s 94-seat House, Ista delves into the uphill battle of representing his party’s priorities in the face of an overwhelming Republican supermajority. Leader Ista outlines the Democratic Party’s focus for the 69th Legislative Session, emphasizing critical issues like education funding, healthcare access, and economic policies that prioritize working families. Despite the challenges of limited numbers, Ista highlights the importance of collaboration and standing firm on principles to ensure North Dakota’s diverse voices are heard. This episode provides a compelling look at leadership, resilience, and the power of minority representation in shaping policy.
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McFeely: Kasper withdraws bill that would give him free lunch. Now the one calling for free trips must go.
It proposes to amend state law to allow legislators to accept free trips from lobbyists as long as they are determined "in good faith" to be "out-of-state educational events."
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Lawmakers would be able to accept trips from lobbyists, "which may include a social component, held out of state to provide objective, education materials."
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State Senator Mathern speaks to mental health related bills in the ND legislative session
Joel Heitkamp is joined by North Dakota State Senator Tim Mathern to get an update on the legislative session, specifically hitting on bills regarding mental health professionals, the ND prison system, and school lunches.
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Letter: Vouchers: Hear the people now, or let them vote
Moreover, the polling showed 67 percent of voters do support increased state funding for public schools.
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How much more unequivocal could the people’s message be? Clearly, voters want this Legislature to scrap plans for sending public money to private schools, and do a better job of funding our budget-stressed K-12 public schools.
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North Dakota lawmakers debate property tax relief bill with cap on levy increases
The last major piece of the bill – and the one that received the most pushback – was the proposed 3% cap on property tax levy increases year-on-year for political subdivisions. If political subdivisions want to raise their levy by more than 3%, Nathe said they would need to put it to voters during a general or special election to allow them to decide.
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Rep. Zachary Ista, D-Grand Forks, asked Nathe if there was an enforcement mechanism in place in case districts tried to raise levies by more than 3% despite the law.
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Committees
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Every bill is voted on in the North Dakota legislature, but first, it must go through a committee hearing. The committee will vote to give the bill a "Do Pass" or a "Do Not Pass" recommendation. Below is a list of Standing Committees this legislative session.
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Senate Standing Committee Members
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Meets Thursday and Friday
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Meets Monday through Friday
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Meets Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
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Meets Thursday and Friday
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Desiree Van Oosting (R-36)
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Meets Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
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Meets Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
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Desiree Van Oosting (R-36)
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Meets Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
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Meets Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
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Meets Thursday and Friday
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Meets Thursday and Friday
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Meets Thursday and Friday
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House Standing Committee Members
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Meets Thursday and Friday
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Gretchen Dobervich (D-11)
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Cynthia Schreiber-Beck (R-25)
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Meets Monday through Friday
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Meets Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
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Cynthia Schreiber-Beck (R-25)
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Patrick R. Hatlestad (R-1)
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Meets Thursday and Friday
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Meets Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
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Mike Motschenbacher (R-47)
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Meets Thursday and Friday
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Gretchen Dobervich (D-11)
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Meets Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
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Lisa Finley-DeVille (D-4A)
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Meets Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
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Lawrence R. Klemin (R-47)
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Meets Thursday and Friday
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Patrick R. Hatlestad (R-1)
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Lawrence R. Klemin (R-47)
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Mike Motschenbacher (R-47)
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Meets Thursday and Friday
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Lisa Finley-DeVille (D-4A)
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The Century Club supports our year-round work to build party infrastructure supporting candidate recruitment, local district and regional leadership, issue-based education, and tools for Dem-NPL success.
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Help us elect great Democrats up and down the ballot!
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The North Dakota Democratic-NPL is launching a new grassroots program called “Neighbor to Neighbor” where volunteers will connect with voters in your community to elect Democrats up and down the ballot. As a volunteer, you will be responsible for connecting with voters in 25 homes in your neighborhood or friends and family to help elect Democrats up and down the ballot about 3-4 times this year.
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Grassroots organizers are the lifeblood of the Dem-NPL! Sign up to volunteer with the Dem-NPL!
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