Legislation

Appropriations - ND Department of Veterans Affairs (NDDVA) Budget: Legislative Appropriations Bill

Pre-approved by Commissioner and ACOVA.

A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the department of veterans' affairs. Governors budget rate at 90% of 2015-2017 base budget.

NDDVA Requested budget changes: Optional Package-NOT included in budget.

• Restore Base Budget funding to $98,900. Gov. Dalrymple recommends to restore $26,895 for Desktop support
• Salary Equity Funding: $96,143
• Funding for Stand Downs: $20,000
• Funding for Service Dogs for Veterans with PTSD: $50,000. Senate Approved $50,000
• Training Position: $145,152
• Funding Grant for Veteran Service Organizations NSO officer: $300,000
• Funding for Temporary Employees: $49,500
• Marketing and Outreach: $20,000
• Funding for Transportation Vans: $30,000 Gov. Dalrymple recommends $15,000. Senate provides NO van funding
• Increase Post War Trust Fund Principal: $1,750,000
• NDDVA Website upgrade: $67,689
  • Agent Orange Outreach: $50,000

SENATE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• Reduced General funds for NDDV by $215,815
• Reduce staff by one Full Time Employees (FTE)
  • Per Governor Burgums recommendation to go back to 2011-2013 biennium FTE count
• Require NDDVA to use Federal Highly Rural Transportation Grant (HRTG) program funds to pay portion of two NDDVA staff members salaries
  • $100,000
  • Functionally eliminating HRTG coordinator position
• Reduced Federal Funding authorization of State Approving Agency by $15,778
• Restored $26,895 in Desktop support hardware
• Restored Service Dog funding of $50,000 SJ 492
• Provides that $15,000 of NDDVA operation budget be used for transportation van purchase
• Budget leaves Senate at 76% of base funding and 90% of FTE staff 0 Temp staff
• PASSED SENATE 45-0 SJ 492

HOUSE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• Reduced General funds by $134,005.00 (in addition to Senate reductions)
  • Reduced staff by one additional Full Time Employee -$130,000
    • Per Governor Burgums' recommendation to go back to 2011-2013 biennium FTE count
      • This makes 2 FTE's removed. Governor Burgums' recommended 1 be removed.
  • Reduced funding for PTSD dogs -$25,000
  • Reduced Health care funding -$1,205
  • Added funding for transportation vans $18,600 (funded from additional FTE removal)
  • Added funding for transportation vans $3,600 (funded from additional FTE removal)
• Adds mandate that $18,600 one time funding to only be used for transportation van program
• Budget leaves House at 72% of base funding and 78% of FTE staff and 0 Temp staff (overall staffing at 60%)
• Committee recommends DO PASS 17-0-4 HJ 1299
• PASSED HOUSE 90-1 HJ 1313

SENATE REFUSED TO CONCUR SJ 1193

• Senate conference committee appointed: Kilzer, Dever, Robinson SJ 1193
• House conference committee appointed: J. Nelson, Kading, Holman HJ 1531
• Conference Committee scheduled Hearings
• Conference committee actions:
  • Raised Service Dog funding to $50,000
  • Maintained funding for vans at $37,200
  • Did not return any FTE's
  • Did not correct the HRTG fund supplanting issue
• PASSED SENATE 45-0 SJ 1553
• PASSED HOUSE 86-5 HJ 1795

​​SIGNED BY SPEAKER HJ 1804

SIGNED BY PRESIDENT SJ 1582

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 

Appropriations - North Dakota Veterans Home: Governor Dalrymple's Bill

Pre-approved by ND Veterans Home Director and ACOVA.

A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the ND Veterans Home. Governors budget rate at 90% of 2015-2017 base budget.

This bill is to be combined with SB2007 and defeated by end of session. SB2007 will be final ND Veterans Home budget.

SENATE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• Committee recommends DO NOT PASS 14-0-0 SJ 204
• FAILED TO PASS 0-45 SJ 213

Refer to SB2007

Appropriations - ND Department of Veterans Affairs (NDDVA) Budget: Governor Dalrymple's Bill

Pre-approved by Commissioner and ACOVA.

A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the department of veterans' affairs. Governors budget rate at 90% of 2015-2017 base budget.

This bill is to be combined with SB2025 and defeated by end of session. SB2025 will be final NDDVA budget.

SENATE  AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• Committee recommends DO NOT PASS 14-0-0 SJ 206
• FAILED TO PASS 0-45 SJ 213

Refer to SB2025

Gaming funds to be used for Veterans organizations

A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 53-06.1-11.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to eligible uses of net proceeds by licensed gaming organizations.

Bill allows veteran organization gaming to...

• Utilized gaming funds for direct benefit of the organizations
• Utilize gaming funds for erection, acquisition, improvement, maintenance, or repair of real or personal property owned or leased by an organization

SENATE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• Declared an emergency
• Committee recommends DO PASS 5-0-1 SJ 156
• PASSED SENATE 44-0 Emergency Clause Carried SJ163

HOUSE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• Committee recommends DO PASS 10-3-1 HJ 932
• PASSED HOUSE 93-0 Emergency Clause Carried HJ 993

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR: 3/22/2017 SJ 872

Funeral Honor Coins for Veterans

A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 37-18 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the conferment of a veterans commemorative memorial coin; and to provide an appropriation to the department of veterans' affairs.

• Provide $8,500 of general funds for design and purchase of a Veterans Commemorative memorial coin
• Require private matching funds up to $25,500 for purchasing of coins
• Provide that up to $4,000 of the $8,500 in general funds be used to design the coin

SENATE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• Added retroactive: regardless of date of veterans death
• Family member may purchase coins 
• Require funding for at least four thousand coins 
• Committee recommends DO PASS 5-0-1 SJ 231
• Amendment adopted referred to Senate Appropriations
• Committee recommends DO PASS 13-0-1 SJ 361
• PASSED SENATE 46-0 SJ 381

HOUSE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• Changed from creating one section to two sections of NDCC 37-18
• Changed from "Deceased Veteran" to "Deceased North Dakota Veteran"
• Removed the $8,500 appropriation and the appropriations section
• Added new section creating a "Commemorative memorial coin fund"
  • Moneys appropriated to this fund to be used by NDDVA for the coins
  • Allows gifts, grants, and donations to be received by NDDVA for this fund
  • Allows NDDVA to use these donated funds on a continuing basis
• Committee recommends DO PASS 13-0-1 HJ 933
• Referred back to Committee for further amendments HJ 1001
• Removed all references to provide appropriation
• Removed the new section creating a "Commemorative memorial coin fund"
  • Replaced with a new line to section 4 allowing NDDVA to accept and expend gifts, grants or donations for these coins
• Committee recommends DO PASS 13-0-1 HJ 1032
• PASSED HOUSE 93-0-1 

SENATE REFUSED TO CONCUR  SJ 1047

• Senate Conference committee appointed: Bekkedahl, Vedaa, Marcellais SJ 1047
• House Conference committee appointed: Laning, Beadle, P. Anderson HJ 1387
• Conference Committee Scheduled Hearings
• Conference Committee amendments
  • Added legislative intent section: Legislative intent is that ACOVA consider use of PWTF dollars to fund at least 4,000 coins.
• Amendments refused sent back to conference committee
• Conference Committee amendments
  • Section 1 # 3 added subsection (b): Definition of a veteran added and was ND resident during any period of the individuals life
• PASSED SENATE 46-0 SJ 1444
• PASSED HOUSE 87-0 HJ 1695

SIGNED BY SPEAKER HJ 1731

SIGNED BY PRESIDENT SJ 1509

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR SJ 1579

Gaming Tax on Veteran Organizations. 50% percent to go to PWTF

A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 53-06.1-12 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to gaming tax deposits and allocations.

This Bill would...

• Allow 50% of the gaming tax paid by Veteran Service Organizations Gaming be placed in the Post War Trust Fund (PWTF)
  • The PWTF is a fund in which the payable interest earnings are utilized by the Administrative Committee On Veterans Affairs for services to ND Veterans and their eligible dependents.

FISCAL NOTE: $254,000

SENATE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• Finance and Tax Committee recommended DO NOT PASS 5-1-0 SJ 300
• FAILED TO PASS 10-34 SJ 318
• Bill Video

VETERAN HUNTER EDUCATION

A BILL for an Act to create and enact section 20.1-03-01.6 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to hunter education requirements for veterans; and to amend and reenact section 20.1-03-01.2 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to hunter education requirements for veterans.

This bill would...

• Allow an honorably discharged veteran to take a 4 hour online hunting course rather than the required course of ND citizens.

SENATE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• Committee Recommends DO NOT PASS 7-0-0 SJ 268
• FAILED TO PASS 19-26  SJ 281

Hunting license for ND Veterans Selected by Nonprofit outdoor recreation organization

A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new subsection to section 20.1-03-11 and section 20.1-04-07.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to deer and wild turkey hunting licenses for veterans receiving hunting expeditions from a nonprofit organization.

This bill would...

• Allow six deer licenses and permits for veterans to hunt with guns
  • Selected by nonprofit organization
• Allow four spring wild turkey licenses and permits for veterans
  • Selected by nonprofit organization

FISCAL NOTE: $480 (not general fund dollars)

SENATE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• Committee recommends DO NOT PASS 7-0-0 SJ 268
• FAILED TO PASS 6-39 SJ 280

Section 2 (Wild Turkeys) of this bill brought back as amendment to HB1025 by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee SJ 896

Appropriations - Veterans Home Budget

A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the veterans' home; to provide an exemption; and to declare an emergency

Appropriations - ND Department of Veterans Affairs Budget

Pre-approved by Commissioner, ACOVA and NDVCC

A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the department of veterans' affairs.

Requested budget changes: 

• Increase Post War Trust Fund Principal by $1,750,000.Not Approved.
• Grant funding for Veteran Service Organizations for NSO's $300,000. Not Approved.
• Appoint State Approving Agency (SAA) to ND DVA. No state funding.-included in Governor's budget, House approved, Senate approved.Approved.
• Salary equity funding of $55,100-included in governors budget. -Removed by House, Added back by Senate,Removed in Conference committee. Not Approved.
• Add training position to NDDVA $135,575. Not Approved.
• Website upgrade: $60,935. Not Approved.
• Temporary employee funding of $59,488. Not Approved.
• Continued funding for PTSD dogs at $100,000. House denied, Senate added to budget at $50,000. Conference committee Approved.
• Continued funding for Agent Orange Outreach program at $50,000. Not Approved. Approved in HB 1372.
• increase stand down budget from $10,000 to $20,000 -included in governors budget.-House reduced to $15,000 added requirements, Senate increased to $20,000 removed requirements set by House.Approved at $20,000.
• Continued funding for transportation vans at $15,000-included in governors budget, House approved, Senate approved.Approved.
• Add marketing and advertising to budget at $20,000. Not Approved.
• Add PTSD and TBI treatment study at $108,352. Not Approved.

North Dakota National Guard Operations

A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact sections 37‑01‑43, 37‑04‑16, 37‑07.2‑01, subsection 6 of 37‑28‑02, and section 37‑28‑03 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the operation of the North Dakota national guard; and to declare an emergency.

Criminal History Record Checks

A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new subdivision to subsection 2 of section 12-60-24 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to criminal history record checks for the office of the adjutant general; and to declare an emergency.

Veterans In Court

A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new subsection to section 12.1-32-02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to sentencing of current and former members of the military.

• Veterans found guilty of a crime court shall
  • inquire into military service
  • inquire into veteran having any behavior health condition
• Court may:
  • Conduct presentence investigation and prepare report regarding treatment options with federal, state and local programs
  • Consider treatment recommendations in imposing sentence
• Fiscal note: $0

House Amendments:

• Replaced "Is Convicted" with "has pled or is found guilty"
• Removed requirement of previously being diagnosed with a mental illness
• Added "there is reason to believe there is a behavioral health condition"

Passed House with amendments. 78,13,0

Senate Amendments:

• Changed bill to a study

Passed Senate with amendments: 46,0,0

House refused to concur

Conference Committee assigned: Representatives Paur, Maragos, Delmore and Senators Armstrong, Hogue, and Nelson.

• Changed wording of the study

Passed House: 88,4

Passed Senate: 46,0

Residency for Tuition Purposes

A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 15-10-19.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to resident students for tuition purposes; and to declare an emergency.

• This bill required to comply with new Federal GI Bill regulations
• Adds new subsection: A covered individual as defined by section 702 of Public Law No. 113-146 [128 stat. 1797; 38 U.S.C. 3679].
• Fiscal note: $0

Veterans Employment Preference

Bill Origination: Representative Schatz, Mike

Pre-approved by Commissioner, ACOVA, and NDVCC

A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 37-19.1-02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the employment preference for veterans.

• Removes certain exemptions opening them to veterans preference
  • Superintendent of Schools
  • School teacher
  • Higher Education
    • Chancellor and Vice Chancellor 
    • Presidents or Executive deans
    • Vice Presidents
    • Assistants to the President
    • Provosts
    • Instructors
    • Athletic Team coaches of board institutions
• Fiscal note: None

National Guard Member Reduced Hunting and Fishing License Fees

A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact subsections 6 and 55 of section 20.1-03-12 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to reduced hunting and fishing license fees for resident current and retired national guard members.

• Reduced fishing and hunting license for current and retired guard members
• Fiscal note: $72,400

National Guard Free Vehicle Registration

A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new subdivision to subsection 2 of section 39-04-18 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to motor vehicle registration fees for current and former national guard members.

• Allows free vehicle registration to ND resident who is a current or retired member of the National Guard.
• Fiscal note: $172,072

Tuition Reduction for Dependents of Disabled Veterans

Pre-approved by Commissioner, ACOVA, and NDVCC

A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact subsection 1 of section 15‑10‑18.2 and section 15‑10‑18.3 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to tuition reduction for dependents of disabled veterans based on disability ratings.

• Dependents of veterans with a VA disability rating of 50-90% to receive tuition reduction equal to veterans disability rating
• Fiscal note: $2,327,000

House Appropriations Amendment:

• Removed 50% and replaced with 75%
• Failed House

Content of bill amended and added to SB 2346 by House GVA

• Amendment replaced 75% with 90%
• Fiscal Note: $325,000

SB 2346 received "Do NOT Pass" from house Appropriations

Failed to pass

Honoring Certain National Guard and Reserve Members as Veterans

A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 37-01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to honoring certain members of the national guard, the armed forces reserve of the United States, and the active duty forces of the United States as veterans.

• Honorably discharged National Guard members who otherwise do not qualify as veterans will be honored as a Veteran
• Will not be entitled to any veterans benefits
• Fiscal note: None

Renter Credit for Disabled Veteran

A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 57-02-08.8 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a renter credit for a disabled veteran who would qualify for the property tax credit for disabled veterans except for the fact that the disabled veteran rents living quarters; and to provide an effective date.

• Veterans with disability rating of 50% or more who are eligible for property tax credit but rent would receive a renters credit
• Fiscal note: $2,020,000