Committee takes up multiple Democratic-NPL proposed studies to inform future lawmaking

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 28, 2025

FARGO – The 69th Legislative Assembly voted to consider many studies between now and the next legislative session. Today, Legislative Management met to choose which of those studies to adopt. Multiple studies that were sponsored by Democratic-NPL lawmakers were selected.

Assistant Senate Minority Leader Josh Boschee said, “One of our biggest priorities right now is addressing homelessness and affordable housing for all North Dakotans. We adopted a comprehensive study of homelessness in North Dakota so that we know where we, as a state, can step in to ensure every North Dakotan has a safe place to lay their head at night. We’ll also explore ways we can improve access to dental care for our most vulnerable populations, examine using grants to get more funding to law enforcement and emergency services, and review our laws that protect children from abuse and neglect.”

Democratic-NPL sponsored studies that were required by the Legislative Assembly to be taken up by Legislative Management:
-Sen. Josh Boschee’s (D-Fargo) proposal to study the funding needs of fixed route city transportation networks
-Rep. Alisa Mitskog’s (D–Wahpeton) proposal to study establishing a wastewater project fund to provide grants for upgrading, constructing, or replacing wastewater infrastructure

Democratic-NPL sponsored studies that were voluntarily taken up by Legislative Management:
-Rep. Mary Schneider’s (D-Fargo) proposal to study the unmet dental and oral health care needs of low-income children, Native American children, and individuals with disabilities
-Rep. Mary Schneider’s proposal to study state laws relating to criminal conduct against children, child sexual abuse, child physical abuse, child neglect, and human trafficking of children.
-Rep. Jayme Davis’ (D-Rolette) proposal to study the taxation of land owned by enrolled tribal members who reside within the boundaries of any tribal reservation in ND
-Sen. Josh Boschee’s proposal to study grant funding for law enforcement, fire departments, and other emergency services.
-Sen. Kathy Hogan’s (D-Fargo) proposal to study the feasibility of developing geothermal energy in North Dakota
-Sen. Tim Mathern’s (D-Fargo) proposal to study the construction of a legislative office building
-Rep. Mary Schneider’s proposal to study special education teacher shortages and Sen. Josh Boschee’s proposal to study reading and math proficiency among disabled students were both rolled into HB 1547, which establishes a committee to study special education funding

CONTACT:
Laura Dronen
Communications Director
laura.dronen@demnpl.com