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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The North Dakota Legislative Session is fast-paced and every bill gets a vote unless it's withdrawn.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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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.
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Democratic-NPL Bills
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.
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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.
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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."
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What's coming up?
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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.
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Help us spread our message—share these recent posts!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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Check out this --- from the national Democratic Party
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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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