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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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“We must rapidly begin the shift from a ‘thing-oriented’ society to a ‘person-oriented’ society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered.”
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The North Dakota Legislative Session is fast-paced and every bill gets a vote unless it's withdrawn.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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Sen. Tim Mathern’s bill (SB 2096) to provide for regional acute psychiatric treatment and residential supportive housing services was heard in the Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division and his bill (SB 2171) regarding emergency mental health petitions was heard in the Senate Human Services Committee
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What's coming up?
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Rep. SuAnn Olson (R-8) has a bill (HB 1181) that says any reference to gender, gender identity, or gender expression, would mean the individual's determined sex at birth in the ND Century Code. If there is a dispute over someone's sex, the bill would FORCE an individual to undergo a DNA test. It will be heard in the House Human Services Committee tomorrow.
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Rep. Lori VanWinkle (R-3) wants to North Dakota social workers to have the ability to violate the Social Worker Code of Ethics. Her bill will be heard in the House Human Services Committee tomorrow. This is a repeat of a bill that failed in 2023.
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Sen. Todd Beard (R-23) has a bill (SB2105) that would restrict what surveys may be administered to students. The North Dakota Council of Educational Leaders opposes the bill. He also will introduce a bill that would implement an onerous process to investigate whether or not schools are in compliance with state laws and regulations. It is opposed by North Dakota Small Organized Schools. Both will be heard tomorrow in the Senate Education bill.
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Democratic-NPL Bills
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Bill introduced to provide $1.1 million for Fargo Theater upgrades
"It is an icon in Fargo, downtown," said Rep. Karla Rose Hanson (D-Fargo). She said the Theater will be celebrating its 100th birthday, in about a year.
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"We'll be raising some money to help improve the facility, improve the equipment for movies and live events," Hanson said.
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North Dakota lawmakers set preliminary revenue forecast for budget planning
North Dakota lawmakers have settled on a preliminary revenue forecast to guide budget writing until March when more data becomes available.
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Both the House and Senate appropriations committees adopted the preliminary revenue forecast Monday as they begin the process of drafting state agencies’ budgets.
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Letter: Your job isn't to impose your religious views upon us
A common theme in the testimony and floor debates on these and other issues include passionate references to the personal religious beliefs of these same legislators. They seem to believe that their duty as legislators is to write laws that impose their religious views upon all the citizens of our state. An example in this current session is a bill that requires a specific version of the Ten Commandments be posted in all classrooms in public schools and universities.
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Bill would let North Dakota state firefighters retire earlier
House Bill 1112, brought by the North Dakota Forest Service, would move state firefighters to the state’s public safety plan, which already includes local government firefighters and law enforcement. This would allow them the ability to retire at age 55 with three years of service, or when they have a combined age and service of 85.
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Foreign ownership bill killed by one vote in ND Senate
The bill aimed to require deed owners to mark whether they were allowed to own property or not because they were associated with a “country of concern” like China.
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Letter: Public funds belong in public schools
On the other hand, our public schools (which serve every child regardless of family income, ability level, or background) are struggling to meet the basic needs of both students and educators. Many classrooms operate with outdated textbooks, insufficient technology and overcrowded spaces. Teachers often purchase their own classroom supplies, and support staff (who are essential for our schools’ daily operations) remain chronically underfunded.
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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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