Bismarck Human Relations Committee Holds Listening Forum

The Bismarck Human Relations Committee is hosting a Community Conversation Forum to discuss the struggles faced by its residents. It’s a relevant topic for Minot locals who experienced the controversial disbandment of our own human relations committee in 2023. The forum, taking place at the Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library, is an effort to foster

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Legislators Choose Themselves Over Librarians as Library Curators

How should oversee the collections in our local library? The ND House has spoken; they should. House Bill 1205 spells out new terms for what can and cannot exist in North Dakota libraries. The bill defines ‘explicit sexual material’ and says no to it. It passed by a vote of 65-28 and will no head

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North Dakota Senate approves bill to address fentanyl epidemic

The ND Senate approved SB 2248. It puts more teeth in North Dakota law for those convicted of contributing to a person’s death by supplying fentanyl, expands fentanyl reporting requirements for law enforcement and health agencies, and begins distributing nearly $30 million biannually from the state’s opioid lawsuit settlement. The Bismarck Tribune has the full

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Measure would tighten process for ballot initiatives to amend North Dakota constitution

North Dakota’s Constitution can be changed by a vote of the people; a vote of the people to change the constitution can be brought by the legislature or by petition from the people. Concurrent Resolution 4013 would change the terms under which those petitions can be brought and are conducted. Jack Dura with the Bismarck

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$2.5B power line planned from central North Dakota to western Montana

A big investment in connecting the regional power grid is centering in North Dakota, literally. The 385 mile long Northern Plains Connector line would connect from Colstrip, Montana to Center, and Solen, North Dakota. The line would be capable of carrying up to 3,000 megawatts, nearly 75% of North Dakota’s peak demand. Get the full

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North Dakota Industrial Commission moves to sue Minnesota over carbon-free bill

Earlier this month, the Minnesota legislature passed a bill requiring carbon-free electricity by 2040. It’s legislation that had North Dakota’s attention from the start. Last week, the ND Industrial Commission took action; they’ll be filing a lawsuit against Minnesota. Their contention — Minnesota is attempting to regulate interstate commerce. Get the full story from The

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ND Senate OKs bill to provide snow removal grants to local governments

Some parts of North Dakota got a lot of snow towards the end of last year. While Minot didn’t set any records, snow removal was certainly a challenge. And for cities and towns that had to dig deep in their pockets to keep the streets clean, the legislature is moving some relief forward. Get the

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Legislative News: Abortion Restrictions Advance, Marijuana Edibles Are Out

By a vote of 41-4, the ND Senate advanced Senate Bill 2150. The bill cleans up language from a previous bill that is currently being challenged in court, and restricts abortions in North Dakota as soon as a fetal heartbeat is detected except when a medical emergency exists that prevents compliance. Get the full story

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North Dakota lawmakers weigh future of public employees’ pension plan, nearly $2B shortfall

One of the issues of substance before the North Dakota Legislature this session is what to do about the elephant in the room — the fact that that NDPERs (the acronym for North Dakota’s public employee retirement program) doesn’t have enough money to pay its liabilities. It’s short by $2 billion, and the big question

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Legislative hearings on CO2 pipeline bills draw big crowds; eminent domain the main issue

A slate of bills aimed squarely at a single pipeline project through southern North Dakota saw lots of citizen engagement at hearings last week. At question is whether a proposed pipeline developer should have ability to use eminent domain, the authority to take land and easements with compensation, to advance the project. Get the full

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Bakken Energy’s plans for Beulah hydrogen hub fizzle

For now, the project between Basin Electric and Bakken Energy to deliver a hydrogen hub near Beulah is shelved; negotiation between the two companies has ended. The State Industrial Commission had been a big supporter of the project, and the situation leaves the state with a likely $4.5 million loss in grant dollars previously awarded.

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Bismarck-Mandan Rail Bridge preservationists, railroad officials square off at state permit hearing

The fight to save a historic Bismarck rail bridge spilled into a permit hearing on Friday held by the Department of Water Resources. BNSF is seeking a permit to build a new bridge, and a citizens group fighting to save the existing structure is hoping the state agency will provide relief by denying the permit.

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City of Bismarck leverages opioid money with private dollars to combat homelessness

The City of Bismarck is taking its opioid manufacturer lawsuit money and using it to leverage donations from citizens. The goal, deliver some dollars to get at the root causes of homelessness in the Bismarck area. Get the full story on some creative government thinking from David Velaquez with the Bismarck Tribune.

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North Dakota legislative budget writers adopt early revenue forecast

How our legislators build the state budget depends a whole bunch on how much money they think they’ll have. How do they that out? They forecast. It’s tricky business because it depends on predicting things like oil prices and sales tax revenues and other factors that tend toward volatility. Nonetheless, the revenue forecast that will

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North Dakota lawmakers backing medical marijuana edibles hope Legislature bites on bills

Legislators from Grand Forks and Dickinson have sponsored two separate bills (HB 1202 and HB 1164) with the same goal of making medical marijuana doses available in edible form. Currently, state law only allows for dried marijuana leaves and flowers, or THC products such as concentrates, tinctures, capsules, transdermal patches, and lotions. Get the full

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North Dakota bills take aim at gender issues; LGBTQ advocates voice opposition

The culture wars rage on in the early going of the ND legislative session. Several bills aimed at, as supporters say, protecting kids from left-wing ideology are working through the system. At stake are the pronouns people use to describe themselves, the right to perform conversion therapy, drag shows, sports participation, and penalties for doctors

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