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/.
The North Dakota Legislative Session is fast-paced and every bill gets a vote unless it's withdrawn.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!

What happened today?

Republican State Rep. Jorin Johnson of Fargo is trying to DEFUND Prairie Public! Prairie Public keeps our communities safe and informed with emergency resources, in-depth news, and education programming. President & CEO John Harris said that if this bill goes through, it's our LOCAL services that will suffer.

Democratic-NPL Bills

Rep. Mary Schneider bill (HB 1403) to make the third Friday in September of each year Prisoner of War and Missing in Action Day passed the House unanimously!


Sen. Ryan Braunberger (D-10) presented SB 2263 to make a one-time appropriation of $500,000 from the general fund will empower schools to adopt innovative and sustainable approaches to student learning to the Senate Workforce Development Committee.

Sen. Josh Boschee (D-44) presented two bills: one (SB 2239) to establish an apprenticeship grant program and another (SB 2254) to provide additional funding for municipal fixed bus routes and request a study to see what additional funding cities need for their transportation networks.

Sen. Tim Mathern (D-11) presented a bill (SB 2246) to study the feasibility and desirability of creating a regenerative grazing ranch in the state.

Rep. Collette Brown (D-9) presented a bill (HB 1521) to allow the motor vehicle excise tax exemption for enrolled tribal members to apply regardless of whether someone's primary residence is within the boundaries of a reservation or not to the House Transportation Committee. Rep. Brown said, "Vehicle ownership is essential for accessing employment, education, healthcare, and other vital services, especially in rural and often underserved areas. This exemption will alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with vehicle ownership, promoting greater economic stability and
mobility for tribal members. Many tribal members face unique economic challenges, and providing
a motor vehicle excise tax exemption acknowledges these difficulties."

Rep. Alisa Mitskog (D-25) presented a bill (HB 1577) that would establish a wastewater infrastructure grant program. The City Engineer of Dickinson testified, "The wastewater infrastructure grant program that is proposed to be developed in HB 1577 will provide the City of Dickinson with much needed funding to minimize the local costs which would otherwise be directly impacting our citizens. The City of Dickinson supports HB 1577."

Rep. Lisa Finley-DeVille (D-4A) presented a bill (HB 1545) to change the name of First Nations Day to Indigenous Peoples Day.

What's coming up?

Rep Keith Kempenich (R-39) will present a bill (HB 1501) to prohibit the use of out-of-state driver's license or non-driver identification card from a state that does not require proof of citizenship, residency, or visa status. Essentially if a Minnesotan doesn't have a Real ID, they would have to bring their passport, birth certificate, or one of a handful of other acceptable documents if they want to drive in North Dakota. This puts more work on police officers' plates, and is harmful to commerce in our state.
Rep. Alisa Mitskog (D-25) will present a bill (HB 1219) to change the minimum amount per sale of plot space a perpetual care cemetery must set aside for a perpetual care fund.

Rep. Collette Brown (D-9) will present a bill (HB 1603) to fund Native American grave protection and repatriation projects through the state historical society. In 2022, the University of North Dakota found human remains belonging to Native Americans in their possession. Listen to this NPR story from the time.

Rep. Mary Schneider (D-21) will present a bill (HB 1568) to create a North Dakota Ireland trade commission.

Help us spread our message—share these recent posts!

Birth control, IVF protection needed in face of attacks, North Dakota bill sponsor says


State Rep. Karla Rose Hanson said Wednesday that bills protecting birth control and fertilization treatments are necessary because of efforts to erode reproductive health care rights.

Hanson, D-Fargo, testified before the House Human Services Committee on two bills she is sponsoring — House Bill 1478 on contraception and House Bill 1477 protecting fertility treatments.

Read More

McFeely: Weakling ND, Minnesota Republicans gleefully gift their power to Trump


Not only are Republican politicians in North Dakota and Minnesota cowards for not speaking out against President Donald Trump's shameful pardon of Jan. 6 rioters, they are trembling weaklings for willingly allowing him to take away their power.

When Trump this week signed an executive order to freeze federal spending in an attempt to root out and starve "woke" programs and diversity, equality and inclusion initiatives, North Dakota and Minnesota Republicans cheered the president for following through on campaign promises.

Read More

Burgum could be directed to add Trump to Mt. Rushmore


Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., introduced legislation Tuesday, Jan. 28, that would direct the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior to arrange for the carving of Trump's figure to South Dakota’s most iconic memorial.

Read More

Episode 3: Why Louisiana matters to North Dakota


North Dakota entered the national fray this legislative session with a bill requiring public schools and universities to post the 10 Commandments in every classroom. On this week's episode, we hear from the bill's supporters and opponents.

Listen Now

Senate Bill 2264 to modernize definition of marriage


“Marriage comes with responsibilities and our laws should reflect equality in those obligations by revising terms in such areas as spousal duties, property ownership, and domicile,” Sen. Braunberger said.

Watch Now

Public schools are not Sunday schools


Religious freedom is one of our country’s most treasured liberties. Every individual and family — not politicians or the government — gets to decide for themselves what religious beliefs, if any, they adopt and practice.
This constitutional protection is strongest in our public schools, which serve children and families of many religious backgrounds. As the U.S. Supreme Court has observed, “families entrust public schools with the education of their children, but condition their trust on the understanding that the classroom will not purposely be used to advance religious views that may conflict with the private beliefs of the student and his or her family.”

Read More

North Dakota bar association pushes back on bill that makes lawmakers eligible for bar exam


Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., introduced legislation Tuesday, Jan. 28, that would direct the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior to arrange for the carving of Trump's figure to South Dakota’s most iconic memorial.

Read More

Check out this --- from the national Democratic Party

FAA Report on D.C. Plane Crash Is Out—and It’s an Indictment of Trump


As a result, many air controllers at the airport work up to 10 hours a day and six days a week. Those levels probably have not been helped by Donald Trump’s federal hiring freeze, his gutting of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee, and the FAA chief’s resignation at Elon Musk’s behest. As much as Trump and the right might try to blame DEI or something else ludicrous, perhaps they should look in the mirror.

Read More

Former Rubio Staffer Criticizes State Department’s Foreign Aid Freeze


Secretary of State Marco Rubio is facing concerns about the department’s foreign aid freeze from one of his own close allies: his former staff director on a commission that handles China policy.
Peter Mattis, now the president of The Jamestown Foundation think tank, told senators on Thursday that if he were a senior Chinese government official, he “would be looking to exploit the opportunity” in the Philippines after Rubio’s State Department under Donald Trump halted international aid.



Read More

Criminal records of Jan. 6 rioters pardoned by Trump include rape, domestic violence


Theodore Middendorf was accused by Illinois prosecutors of "Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child." Prosecutors said in a court filing obtained by NPR that Middendorf "committed an act of sexual penetration." Indiana state records indicate that Middendorf's victim was 7 years old.

Read More

Trump Broke the Government AND THEN CHANGED HIS MIND (And Then Changed His Mind AGAIN)


The power of the purse rests with Congress... for now?

Watch Now

Buttigieg responds to Trump's insults on D.C. plane crash


Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is responding to President Trump's insults as he spoke out about the deadly collision above the Potomac River. Lynda Tran, a former adviser to Buttigieg, joins CBS News with her take on Mr. Trump's accusations.

Watch Now

Committees

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.

Senate Standing Committee Members

Agriculture and Veterans Affairs
Meets Thursday and Friday
Richard Marcellais (D-9)
Larry Luick (R-35)
Janne Myrdal (R-19)
Randy D. Lemm (R-20)
Mark F. Weber (R-22)
Kent Weston (R-15)

Appropriations
Meets Monday through Friday
Tim Mathern (D-11)
Brad Bekkedahl (R-1)
Robert Erbele (R-28)
Randy A. Burckhard (R-5)
Sean Cleary (R-35)
Cole Conley (R-12)
Kyle Davison (R-41)
Dick Dever (R-32)
Michael Dwyer (R-47)
Jeffery J. Magrum (R-8)
Scott Meyer (R-18)
Donald Schaible (R-31)
Jonathan Sickler (R-17)
Ronald Sorvaag (R-45)
Paul J. Thomas (R-6)
Terry M. Wanzek (R-29)

Education
Meets Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
Josh Boschee (D-44)
Todd Beard (R-23)
Randy D. Lemm (R-20)
Michelle Axtman (R-7)
Justin Gerhardt (R-34)
Mike Wobbema (R-24)

Energy and Natural Resources
Meets Thursday and Friday
Dale Patten (R-26)
Greg Kessel (R-39)
Todd Beard (R-23)
Keith Boehm (R-33)
Mark Enget (R-2)
Justin Gerhardt (R-34)
Desiree Van Oosting (R-36)

Finance and Taxation
Meets Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
Richard Marcellais (D-9)
Mark F. Weber (R-22)
Dean Rummel (R-39)
Dale Patten (R-26)
Michelle Powers (R-46)
Chuck Walen (R-4)
Human Services
Meets Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
Kathy Hogan (D-21)
Judy Lee (R-13)
Kent Weston (R-15)
David A. Clemens (R-16)
Kristin Roers (R-27)
Desiree Van Oosting (R-36)

Industry and Business
Meets Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
Jeff Barta (R-43)
Keith Boehm (R-33)
Mark Enget (R-2)
Greg Kessel (R-39)
Jerry Klein (R-14)

Judiciary
Meets Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
Ryan Braunberger (D-10)
Diane Larson (R-30)
Bob Paulson (R-3)
Jose L. Castaneda (R-40)
Claire Cory (R-42)
Larry Luick (R-25)
Janne Myrdal (R-19)

State and Local Government
Meets Thursday and Friday
Ryan Braunberger (D-10)
Kristin Roers (R-27)
Jose L. Castaneda (R-40)
Jeff Barta (R-43)
Judy Lee (R-13)
Chuck Walen (R-4)

Transportation
Meets Thursday and Friday
Kathy Hogan (D-21)
David A. Clemens (R-16)
Claire Cory (R-42)
Jerry Klein (R-14)
Bob Paulson (R-3)
Dean Rummel (R-37)

Workforce Development
Meets Thursday and Friday
Josh Boschee (D-44)
Mike Wobbema (R-24)
Michelle Axtman (R-7)
Diane Larson (R-30)
Michelle Powers (R-46)

House Standing Committee Members

Agriculture
Meets Thursday and Friday
Gretchen Dobervich (D-11)
Mike Beltz (R-20)
Dori Hauck (R-36)
Karen A. Anderson (R-19)
Donna Henderson (R-15)
Dawson Holle (R-31)
Jeff Hoverson (R-3)
Dwight Kiefert (R-24)
Dennis Nehring (R-23)
SuAnn Olson (R-8)
Nico Rios (R-23)
Cynthia Schreiber-Beck (R-25)
Bill Tveit (R-33)
Daniel R. Vollmer (R-6)

Appropriations
Meets Monday through Friday
Karla Rose Hanson (D-44)
Alisa Mitskog (D-25)
Don Vigesaa (R-29)
Keith Kempenich (R-39)
Bert Anderson (R-2)
Mike Berg (R-8)
Glenn Bosch (R-30)
Mike Brandenburg (R-28)
Jay Fisher (R-5)
Scott Louser (R-5)
Bob Martinson (R-35)
Lisa Meier (R-32)
David Monson (R-19)
Eric J. Murphy (R-43)
Mike Nathe (R-30)
Jon O. Nelson (R-14)
Emily O'Brien (R-42)
Brandy L. Pyle (R-22)
David Richter (R-1)
Mark Sanford (R-17)
Gregory Stemen (R-27)
Steve Swiontek (R-10)
Scott Wagner (R-45)

Education
Meets Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
Liz Conmy (D-11)
LaurieBeth Hager (D-21)
Pat D. Heinert (R-32)
Cynthia Schreiber-Beck (R-25)
Patrick R. Hatlestad (R-1)
Matthew Heilman (R-7)
Jim Jonas (R-13)
Donald W. Longmuir (R-2)
Roger A. Maki (R-26)
Andrew Marschall (R-16)
Desiree Morton (R-46)
Anna S. Novak (R-33)
Doug Osowski (R-42)

Energy and Natural Resources
Meets Thursday and Friday
Liz Conmy (D-11)
Austin Foss (D-44)
Todd Porter (R-34)
Dick Anderson (R-6)
Anna S. Novak (R-33)
Jason Dockter (R-7)
Jared C. Hagert (R-20)
Craig Headland (R-29)
Pat D. Heinert (R-32)
Jorin Johnson (R-41)
Andrew Marschall (R-16)
Jeremy L. Olson (R-26)
Matthew Ruby (R-40)

Finance and Taxation
Meets Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
Austin Foss (D-44)
Zachary Ista (D-43)
Craig Headland (R-29)
Jared C. Hagert (R-20)
Dick Anderson (R-6)
Jason Dockter (R-7)
Ty Dressler (R-36)
Jim Grueneich (R-28)
Mike Motschenbacher (R-47)
Dennis Nehring (R-23)
Jeremy L. Olson (R-26)
Todd Porter (R-34)
Vicky Steiner (R-37)
Nathan Toman (R-34)
Government and Veterans Affairs
Meets Thursday and Friday
Collette Brown (D-9)
Mary Schneider (D-21)
Austen Schauer (R-13)
Bernie Satrom (R-12)
Landon Bahl (R-17)
Josh Christy (R-27)
Karen Grindberg (R-41)
Karen Karls (R-25)
Carrie McLeod (R-45)
Karen M. Rohr (R-31)
Vicky Steiner (R-37)
Lori VanWinkle (R-3)
Steve Vetter (R-18)
Christina Wolff (R-38)

Human Services
Meets Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
Jayme Davis (D-9)
Gretchen Dobervich (D-11)
Matthew Ruby (R-40)
Kathy Frelich (R-15)
Karen A. Anderson (R-19)
Mike Beltz (R-20)
Macy Bolinske (R-40)
Clayton Fegley (R-4B)
Jared Hendrix (R-10)
Dawson Holle (R-31)
Dwight Kiefert (R-24)
Nico Rios (R-23)
Karen M. Rohr (R-31)

Industry, Business and Labor
Meets Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
Collette Brown (D-9)
Lisa Finley-DeVille (D-4A)
Jonathan Warrey (R-22)
Jorin Johnson (R-41)
Mitch Ostlie (R-12)
Landon Bahl (R-17)
Josh Christy (R-27)
Karen Grindberg (R-41)
Jim Kasper (R-46)
Ben Koppelman (R-16)
Dan Ruby (R-38)
Mike Schatz (R-39)
Austen Schauer (R-13)
Daniel R. Vollmer (R-6)

Judiciary
Meets Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday
Mary Schneider (D-21)
Lawrence R. Klemin (R-47)
Karen Karls (R-35)
Steve Vetter (R-18)
Nels Christianson (R-18)
Donna Henderson (R-15)
Jeff Hoverson (R-3)
Daniel Johnston (R-24)
Carrie McLeod (R-45)
SuAnn Olson (R-8)
Bernie Satrom (R-12)
Bill Tveit (R-33)
Lori VanWinkle (R-3)
Christina Wolff (R-38)

Political Subdivisions
Meets Thursday and Friday
Jayme Davis (D-9)
LaurieBeth Hager (D-21)
Donald W. Longmuir (R-2)
Clayton Fegley (R-4B)
Jim Jonas (R-13)
Macy Bolinske (R-40)
Patrick R. Hatlestad (R-1)
Matthew Heilman (R-7)
Lawrence R. Klemin (R-47)
Mike Motschenbacher (R-47)
Mitch Ostlie (R-12)
Nathan Toman (R-34)
Jonathan Warrey (R-22)

Transportation
Meets Thursday and Friday
Lisa Finley-DeVille (D-4A)
Dan Ruby (R-38)
Jim Grueneich (R-28)
Nels Christianson (R-18)
Ty Dressler (R-36)
Kathy Frelich (R-15)
Jared Hendrix (R-10)
Daniel Johnston (R-24)
Jim Kasper (R-46)
Ben Koppelman (R-16)
Roger A. Maki (R-26)
Desiree Morton (R-46)
Doug Osowski (R-42)
Mike Schatz (R-39)
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.
Help us elect great Democrats up and down the ballot!
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.
Grassroots organizers are the lifeblood of the Dem-NPL! Sign up to volunteer with the Dem-NPL!

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