North Dakota Legislative Week 5- What happened and what is coming up

(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, which would have capped property taxes without a public vote, failed the House by a vote of 20-73.

HB 1291, which would have required a reassessment of property based on an arms-length transaction, failed the House by a vote of 23-65.

HB 1325, was amended to a study of optional residential property tax freeze for owners aged 65 and older and passed the House by a vote of 92-1.

This Week

Several bills affecting cities will be heard by the Legislature the week of February 1st through the 5th. Cities should keep an eye on the following bills this week:

Monday

Date and Time	Bill Number	Committee	Room	Description
02/01/2021 09:00 AM	HB 1464	House Finance and Taxation	327E	This bill relates to raising gas tax.
02/01/2021 09:30 AM	HB 1471	House Finance and Taxation	327E	This bill pertains to property tax exemption to churches.
02/01/2021 02:45 PM	HB 1275	House Appropriations	Brynhild Haugland	This bill relates to using Legacy Fund bonding to fund several projects and grant programs.
02/01/2021 03:15 PM	HB 1431	House Appropriations	Brynhild Haugland	This bill relates to bonding to fund several projects.

Tuesday

Date and Time	Bill Number	Committee	Room	Description
02/02/2021 09:00 AM	HB 1380	House Appropriations	Brynhild Haugland	This bill creates a legacy earnings fund and splits the money between several priorities.
02/02/2021 09:00 AM	HB 1425	House Finance and Taxation	327E	The bill creates the legacy infrastructure revolving loan fund and sets the priority for portion of legacy funds to be invested in state.
02/02/2021 09:30 AM	HB 1446	House Finance and Taxation	327E	This bill provides for residential property tax credit using legacy fund earnings.

Wednesday

Date and Time	Bill Number	Committee	Room	Description
02/03/2021 09:30 AM	SB 2326	Senate Finance and Taxation	Fort Totten	This bill creates tax voucher process for over-assessed property.

Thursday

Date and Time	Bill Number	Committee	Room	Description
02/04/2021 08:30 AM	SB 2139	Senate Political Subdivisions	Sakakawea	This bill creates the ability for a city to use a neighborhood zone.
02/04/2021 09:00 AM	HB 1165	House Political Subdivisions	327B	This bill allows residents of extra territorial zone to vote in all city elections.
02/04/2021 09:30 AM	HB 1331	House Political Subdivisions	327B	This bill relates to initiating and repealing ordinances.
02/04/2021 10:00 AM	HB 1398	House Political Subdivisions	327B	This bill prohibits a political subdivision from adopting an ordinance that requires employer to provide paid family leave in excess of state or federal law.
02/04/2021 10:30 AM	SB 2254	Senate Political Subdivisions	Sakakawea	This bill relates to process for annexation of property.
02/04/2021 11:00 AM	HB 1457	House Political Subdivisions	327B	This bill has to do with limited the amount of time a local emergency declaration can be in place.