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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The North Dakota Legislative Session is fast-paced and every bill gets a vote unless it's withdrawn.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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HCR 3003 narrowly received a "Do Pass" recommendation. This resolution seeks to raise the voting approval threshold for constitutional amendments to 60% instead of a simple majority. Amy Jacobson of Prairie Action ND recently wrote, "HCR 3003 undermines the principle of majority rule, allowing a smaller group to veto initiatives favored by most voters. Meaning if 41% of the voters oppose a measure they would effectively veto the wishes of the other 59% — putting the interest of the few over that of the many. As a reminder, Measure 2 attempted to eliminate majority rule by requiring citizens to vote twice on a measure before it could become law. It was soundly rejected at the ballot box by 56%."
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What's coming up?
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Democratic-NPL Bills
Rep. LaurieBeth Hager (D-21) will introduce HB 1260 to the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee which will change the basis for the number of nonresident deer bow licenses. Right now it's based on the previous year's mule deer gun license allocation; this would change it to the current year's allocation.
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Rep. Mary Schneider (D-21) will introduce HCR 3005 to the House Government and Veterans Affairs Committee which would urge the 119th Congress to provide for the inclusion on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall the names of the lost crew members of the U.S.S. Frank E. Evans
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North Dakota bill takes aim at crypto fraud with new consumer protections
AARP North Dakota is among the bill supporters.
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“(The bill) will create important consumer protections to save older North Dakotans from having their hard-earned money, sometimes their life savings, stolen by criminals misusing crypto kiosks, or ATMs, for fraudulent activity,” said Josh Askvig, state director of AARP North Dakota.
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Port: A new legislative session brings a new book ban proposal
Boehm's Senate Bill 2307 expands the aforementioned policy. Now, the relocation of materials deemed untoward for children to adult sections isn't good enough. These materials must be put in a place that's completely inaccessible to children. Which, if you've been to your local library recently, is going to be a problem, because while there are sections for children and adults, children are allowed in the adult section. Depending on the library, these sections sometimes aren't even in separate rooms and can't be due to space limitations.
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Letter: The importance of HIV decriminalization
However, decades of scientific progress have made Section 12.1-20-17 unnecessary — ultimately resulting in more harm than good. Medication can reduce the viral load in people living with HIV to undetectable levels, meaning they cannot transmit HIV to others. This principle is known as "Undetectable = Untransmittable" (U=U).
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From a public health perspective, Section 12.1-20-17 discourages testing and treatment out of fear of legal repercussions, resulting in further spread. It criminalizes individuals regardless of actual transmission or intent to harm.
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Plain Talk: 'That does hurt'
Also on this episode, first-term state Rep. Austin Foss, a Democrat from Fargo, talks about his experiences in his first legislative session, as well as legislation he's proposed that would require employers to give people interested in serving in the legislature a leave of absence.
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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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