61st Legislative Assembly to Convene
The 61st Legislative Assembly begins Tuesday, Jan. 6. The ITCND public policy committee will be meeting Friday, Jan. 9, to review IT-related legislation. Contact Deana Wiese, ITCND executive director, at 701-355-4458 or office@itcnd.org if you are know of any issues the public policy committee should be aware of.
Future Legislative Updates will include a list and the status of all bills being monitored and a weekly hearing schedule.
Governor’s Budget
North Dakota has a total of $1.265 billion in surplus and reserves at the end of this biennium. “I believe we have produced a forward-looking and productive budget for the people of North Dakota – a budget that funds our priorities, sets aside a healthy reserve, and provides real tax relief for the hard-working men and women of our state,” says Hoeven. The budget focuses on the priorities of education, economic development, infrastructure, research and development and jobs training programs. It provides both property and income tax relief and allows for a healthy reserve growth.
Technology-based business is one of the five targeted industry sectors identified in the comprehensive strategic plan for aggressive economic development statewide. The budget dedicates an increase of $24 million to workforce development programs and initiatives, including $2 million for a STEM grant initiative. The budget also includes enhanced funding for career and technology education programs, career advisors and “Virtual CTE Centers” to broaden the availability and quality of technical training programs across the state.
Other IT-related highlights included:
Funding for expanded K-12 network and state government IT infrastructure and services
Funding for development of the longitudinal database system to track student data from education to workforce
Expansion of the ND Department of Commerce Innovate ND and Operation Intern programs
Establishment of a sales and use tax exemption for telecommunications infrastructure equipment
View the complete executive budget summary here.
Legislative Leaders Chosen
The legislative leadership for the 61st Legislative Assembly has been chosen. Republican and Democrat house and senate members have selected the following leaders for the 2009 legislative session. There are 58 Republicans and 36 Democrats in the House of Representatives and 26 Republicans and 21 Democrats in the Senate. The leadership of the two parties includes:
Senate
• President – Jack Dalrymple (R)
• President Pro Tempore – Tom Fischer (R)
• Majority leader – Bob Stenehjem (R)
• Assistant majority leader – Randel Christmann (R)
• Minority leader – David O’Connell (D)
• Assistant minority leader – Carolyn Nelson (D)
• Republican caucus chairman – Jerry Klein
• Democrat caucus chairman – John M. Warner
House of Representatives
• Speaker of the House – David Monson (R)
• Majority leader – Al Carlson (R)
• Assistant majority leader – Don Vigesaa (R)
• Minority leader – Merle Boucher (D)
• Assistant minority leader – Kenton Onstad (D)
• Republican caucus chairman – Gary Sukut
• Democrat caucus chairman – Joe Kroeber
Committee chairs for the 2009 legislative session:
Senate Committees
• Agriculture – Tim Flakoll
• Appropriations – Ray Holmberg
• Education – Layton W. Freborg
• Finance and Taxation – Dwight Cook
• Government and Veterans Affairs – Dick Dever
• Human Services – Judy Lee
• Industry, Business and Labor – Jerry Klein
• Judiciary – Dave Nething
• Natural Resources – Stanley W. Lyson
• Political Subdivisions – John M. Andrist
• Transportation – Gary A. Lee
House Committees
• Agriculture – Dennis Johnson
• Appropriations – Ken Svedjan
• Education and Environment – Bob Skarphol
• Government Operations Division – Jeff Delzer
• Human Resources Division – Chet Pollert
• Constitutional Revision – Kim Koppelman
• Education – RaeAnn G. Kelsch
• Finance and Taxation – Wesley R. Belter
• Government and Veterans Affairs – Bette B. Grande
• Human Services – Robin Weisz
• Industry, Business and Labor – George J. Keiser
• Judiciary – Duane DeKrey
• Natural Resources – Todd Porter
• Political Subdivisions – Dwight Wrangham
• Transportation – Dan Ruby
How to Contact Your Legislators
During a legislative session, a legislator can be reached at the State Capitol through e-mail or by leaving a message with the legislative telephone message center at 888-NDLEGIS (635-3447) or 701-328-3373 (local). These numbers can also be used to obtain information on bills under consideration. Otherwise, a legislator can be reached by mail or e-mail at the address listed in the legislator’s bio online under the 61st Legislative Assembly link at www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/61-2009.
Addressing Mail Correspondence
To a Senator:
Honorable (full name)
State Senator
600 E. Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, ND 58505
Dear Senator (last name)
To a Representative:
Honorable (full name)
State Representative
600 E. Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, ND 58505
Dear Representative (last name)
2009 Legislative Deadlines
Date
January 6
January 19
January 26
February 20
February 20, 23-24
March 5
April 10
April 30
Topic
Session begins
Deadline for representatives to introduce bills
Deadline for senators to introduce bills
Crossover for bills
Recess
Crossover for resolutions
Good Friday
Session is limited to 80 legislative days
Legislative Bills Tracked (to date)
Appropriation Bills
SB 2003 – North Dakota University System (STEM Grants)
SB 2018 – ND Department of Commerce (Innovate ND, Operation Intern)
SB 2019 – North Dakota Department of Career and Technical Education (career and technology education programs, career advisors and “Virtual CTE Centers”)
SB 2021 – Information Technology Department (longitudinal database system, K-12 IT infrastructure enhancement)
Other Bills
HB 1065 – Expansion of Operation Intern
HB 1066 – Tax Credits for Automation and Innovation
SB 2040 – Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Telecommunications Infrastructure Equipment
SB 2062 – Opportunity Grant for North Dakota High School Graduates and New Graduate Earned Income Deduction
Copies of bill drafts and information about the 61st Legislative Session can be found at the Bills and Resolutions link on the North Dakota Legislative Council website at www.legis.nd.gov/.