Governor’s Recommendation for Federal Stimulus Released
On March 5, the North Dakota Office of Management and Budget released the Governor’s executive recommendation for the Federal Economic Stimulus package. The total estimated revenue from the Federal Economic Stimulus package for North Dakota is $573 million. The Governor’s executive recommendation calls for replacing $233 million of proposed general fund spending with economic stimulus money in the 2009-2011 biennium.
The document distributed by OMB is attached.
Key Hearings Held March 2-6
SB 2003 – Support
SB 2003 was heard before the House Appropriations-Education Committee March 2. This bill is the North Dakota University System’s appropriation bill. It contains $696,000 of continued funds for the current technology occupations loan forgiveness program. It also originally included policy language and $2.7 million (additional $2 million from 2007-09) for expansion of the current technology occupations loan forgiveness program to make it available to students in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Both the language and funding have been moved to SB 2062, the opportunity grant bill. ITCND supported this bill at its hearing.
SB 2018 – Support
SB 2018 was heard before the House Appropriations-Government Operations Committee March 3. SB 2018 is the North Dakota Department of Commerce appropriation, which includes $1.2 million (increase of $600,000) for Operation Intern and $350,000 (increase of $200,000) to expand the Innovate ND program. Attached is the testimony of Doug Remboldt in support of SB 2018.
SB 2021 – Support
SB 2021 was heard before the House Appropriations-Government Operations Committee March 3. This bill is the North Dakota Information Technology Department’s (ITD) appropriation bill. It includes $2.4 million to deploy the longitudinal database system (LDS), an information gathering system for education, workforce training, advising, job placement and policy making. The Senate switched the funding source for the LDS from general to special funds, asking ITD to use federal stimulus dollars if available. SB 2021 also contains an additional $2 million (over the 2007-09 biennium) for the K-12 network. This includes a $600,000 one-time investment for new or enhanced video conferencing hardware and $1.2 million to increase the bandwidth for all K-12 schools from 1.5 MB to 10 MB. ITCND supported this bill at its hearing.
SB 2110 – Support
SB 2110 was heard before the House Industry, Business and Labor Committee March 4 and unanimously passed the committee. This bill contains the policy language to expand the Operation Intern program to include apprenticeships and participation from 11th and 12th graders. The $1.2 million in funding for the expanded program is in SB 2018. Attached is the testimony of ITCND member Bob Pope in support of SB 2110.
SB 2269 – Support
SB 2269 was heard before the House Finance and Taxation Committee March 4. This bill builds on the angel fund investment income tax credit that was established during the 2007 session. The tax credit provides an incentive for pools of investors, or angel funds, to invest in high risk economic development projects, which may include IT entrepreneurial ventures. The bill provides further definition of the composition of an angel fund to guard against potential abuse of the credit by investors. ITCND supported this bill at its hearing.
Hearing Schedule and Status Report (March 9-13)
The hearing schedule and status of bills being tracked by ITCND are attached. We will not be offering testimony on all of these bills, but are tracking them because they have a direct or indirect impact on information technology issues, either at the state agency level, political subdivision level or in private business.
For More Information
If at any time you need additional information or know of others who are interested in receiving this report, contact Annika Nelson, ITCND assistant executive director, at office@itcnd.org or 701-355-4458.
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/.
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
April 10
April 30
Topic
Good Friday
Session is limited to 80 legislative days
Legislative Bills Tracked (to date)
Appropriation Bills
SB 2003 – North Dakota University System – Support
SB 2016 – Job Service North Dakota – Support
SB 2018 – North Dakota Department of Commerce – Support
SB 2019 – North Dakota Department of Career and Technical Education – Support
SB 2021 – Information Technology Department – Support
Other Bills
HB 1144 – Relating to confidentiality of information contained in records – Track
HB 1202 – Relating to entrepreneurship awards; relating to the Bank of North Dakota and North Dakota development fund, incorporated, use of funds for entrepreneurship awards; and to provide an expiration date – Track
SB 2040 – Sales and use tax exemption for telecommunications infrastructure equipment – Support
SB 2062 – STEM loan forgiveness program – Support; Opportunity grant program – Support
SB 2110 – Expands Operation Intern to include apprenticeships and participation from 11th and 12th graders – Support
SB 2131 – Relating to service charges for recycling and disposal for surplus property – Track
SB 2269 – Relating to angel fund investment income tax credits – Support
SB 2325 – Relating to the streamlined sales tax agreement – Track
SB 2347 – Relating to gross receipts from the sale of items delivered electronically – Track
SB 2390 – Relating to the establishment and development of certified technology parks – Track