(Pictured Blake Crosby, Executive Director, North Dakota League of Cities, testifying before House Finance and Tax Committee)  Week 4 of the Legislative Session concluded on Friday (1/29). Both the House and Senate bill introduction deadlines have passed. As such, everyone has a good idea of the issues that we will be working on this Session. Last Week Here's a summary of the actions on a few high priority bills that the League has been working on: HB 1108 has been amended to include eliminating the requirement for cities include a list of checks with their publication of governing board minutes in the official newspaper as long as a list of checks appears on the city's website. This bill is on the House Calendar with a 8-5-1 do pass recommendation.  HB 1130, which allows a municipal court judgment to be converted to a civil judgment, passed the House by a vote of 70-19. HB 1167, which provides for a study of property tax equity, passed the House by a vote of 92-0. HB 1192, whi

The North Dakota Legislature is heading into its 4th week. The following bills were highlighted on the League's Friday Legislative Update phone call. To see a complete list of bills the League is tracking and to see the full schedule, visit www.ndlc.org/legislativeinformation .  Monday January 25 01/25/2021 09:30 AM    HB 1277 Relating to a residential property tax exemption for new construction; and to provide an effective date.  Tuesday January 26 01/26/2021 09:00 AM    HB 1169 Relating to competition between the government and private industry; and to provide for a report to the legislative management.  01/26/2021 09:30 AM    HB 1159 A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation to the industrial commission for natural gas infrastructure grants; and to provide a statement of legislative intent.  01/26/2021 02:00 PM   

This week is the third week the North Dakota Legislature has been in Session. It is a busy week. A lot of bills are scheduled for committee hearings that affect cities.  Today representatives from various cities and the League testified virtually and in person on HB 1200 which places a 2% cap from one year to the next that a political subdivision may levy. The committee took the bill under advisement. The following individuals did a great job explaining how the bill would negatively impact cities: Kent Costin, Finance Director, City of Fargo Harold Stewart, City Manager, City of Minot Bill Wocken, North Dakota League of Cities Also, a big shoutout to the cities of Stanley and Jamestown for submitting written testimony on the bill. HB 1325 also had a committee hearing today. That bill would freeze the property taxes for individuals over 65 years of age. An amendment was offered turning the bill into a study of property taxes and people over age 65. The committee seemed receptive to that

The North Dakota League of Cities first Legislative update call is Friday, January 15 at 2pm CST. Call in to hear discussion about bills that have been introduced, about bills that were heard last week, and about the bills that have hearings next week.  To find information to connect to the call go to  http://ndlc.org/Legislative-Information .  Looking forward to discussing what's happening at the North Dakota Capitol with you.