Legislation

FINANCE. Veteran Gaming Used for Property Tax and Specials

Pre-approved by Commissioner, ACOVA and NDVLC

A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact subsection 3 of section 53-06.1-11.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to eligible uses for charitable gaming net proceeds. 

This Bill would...

Amend NDCC relating to acceptable use of veteran gaming funds

1. Add:
   1. Property Taxes
   2. Special assessments
2. Removes:
   1. Personal Property

HOUSE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• Amendment: Verbiage amended intent did not change
• Committee recommended DO PASS 13-0-1 HJ316
• PASSED House 89-0 HJ 350
• Signed by House Speaker 4/14/2021 HJ 1701

SENATE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• 1/26/2021 received in Senate SJ 283
• Committee recommended DO PASS 7-0-0 SJ 1174
• PASSED Senate 45-2 SJ 1188
• Signed by Senate President 4/8/2021 SJ 1289

Signed by Governor 4/19/2021 HJ 1816

Fiscal Note: None

EMPLOYMENT. Military Spouse Unemployment Benefits

Pre-approved Commissioner, ACOVA, NDVLC, NDNG & TF M.I.N.D.

A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 52-06 and a new subdivision to subsection 1 of section 52-06-02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to eligibility for unemployment compensation for military spouses.

This bill would...

• Allow for unemployment benefits of a military members spouse who leaves employment voluntarily due to relocation, activation or mobilization of the military member
• Allow up to twelve weeks benefits

HOUSE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• Removed Section 3. Maximum Petential benefits
• Removed relocation due to.."activation, or unit deployment"..
• Added subsection (4) "is a military spouse who voluntarily left the most recent employment to relocate because of permanent change of station orders of the individual's military - connected spouse."
• Committee recommended DO PASS 14-0-0 HJ 689
• PASSED HOUSE 87-4 HJ 787

SENATE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• Received from House 2/22/2021 SJ 705
• Committee recommended DO PASS 6-0-0 SJ 829
• PASSED Senate 46-1 SJ 833
• Signed by Senate President 3/16/2021 SJ 867
• Signed by House Speaker 3/18/2021 HJ 1203

Signed by Governor 3/22/2021 HJ 1241

Fiscal Note: $4,721,519

HEALTH & WELLBEING: Guardianship Program

A BILL for an Act to create and enact subdivision z of subsection 2 of section 28-32-01 and chapter 54-67 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the commission on guardianship; to amend and reenact subsection 1 of section 50-24.1-07 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the commission on guardianship and exempt administrative agencies; to provide a penalty; to provide for a legislative management report; and to provide a continuing appropriation. 

This bill would...

• Create a commission on guardianship under NDCC 28-32-01 (2) (z)
  • Add section to NDCC 54-67
  • Develop and Monitor all state funded guardianship services
  • Establishes membership, terms & appointment criteria of the commission
  • Establishes Commission Responsibilities
• Provide Personal Identification protections to those receiving guardianship services
• Establishes standards of guardianship services
  • Comply with NDCC 30.1-28
  • Minimum experience, training, qualifications for guardians
  • Case load standards, conflicts of interest, evaluation and ratio of guardianships
  • Reimbursement, efficiency and other standards as appropriate
• Create a Commission Director
• Create a Guardianship fund with continuing appropriation
• Accept funds for programs

HOUSE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• Committee recommended DO PASS 12-2-0 HJ 558
• Referred to House Appropriations HJ 558
• Appropriations Committee recommended DO NOT PASS 19-1-1 HJ 987

FAILED in House 41-53 

Fiscal Note: $372,195

APPROPRIATIONS. ND Veterans Home

Pre-approved by Commissioner, ACOVA and NDVLC

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

• Memorial Garden Project               $200,000 (Melvin Norgard Funds). Approved by Senate.
• Basic Care Floor replacement        $131,500. Not included in Governors Budget. Included in Senate Budget.

SENATE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• Amendments:
  • Added:
    • Authority to use $200,000 of Melvin Norgard Fund for Memorial Garden
    • $131,500 replace flooring in Basic Care unit
    • $16,700 in basic equipment replacement
  • Removed:
    • 6 Full Time Employees
• Carry over funding approval to replace Skilled care unit flooring $138,700 from current biennium
• PASSED SENATE 47-0 SJ 535
• Senate received House amendments SJ 1278
• Senate concurred with House amendments SJ 1359
• Amendments passed Senate 46-0 SJ 1359
• Signed by Senate President 4/14/2021 SJ 1464

HOUSE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• 2/19/2021 Received from Senate HJ 645
• Amendments: 
  • Added:
    • $25,000 for residence absences
    • $131,500 for thermostat replacement
  • Removed: 
    • $131,500 Basic care flooring project
  • Allowed for use of ITD services outside of ND IDT and provide a study
• PASSED House 82-10 HJ 1511
• Sent to Senate for consideration of amendments SJ 1278
• Senate concurred with House amendments SJ 1359
• Signed by House Speaker 4/14/2021 HJ 1701

Signed by Governor 4/16/2021 HJ 1538

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

Pre-approved by Commissioner, ACOVA and NDVLC.

A BILL for and Act to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the Department of Veterans' Affairs.

2021-2023 OMB-State General Funds base budget limit: $1,205,484 

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

1. Restore Base Budget Funding                                                                              $53,950. Senate restored $53,950,House reduced to $48,950
   1. NDDVA staff training and travel: $16,012
   2. Volunteer staff computers and ITD expenses: $7,935
   3. C&TVSO training and outreach: $30,000
2. Salary Funding with Federal Dollars be paid with General Fund Dollars             $128,000 Senate replaced $68,000 with General Funds.
3. Loans and Grant Officer-Make Permanent Full Time Employee (FTE)                $159,001 Governor Budget included $140,000 Temp. ($128,000 Federal funds $12,000 State). Senate made FTE added $18,910
4. Veterans/Womens Veterans  Benefits Specialist. Add 1 additional FTE               $158,910
5. Program Coordinator/Training/Information Officer. Add 1 additional FTE             $158,910 Senate approved $140,000 for Temp. House reduced to a part-time Temp. at $70,000
6. DAV Van funding. increase funding to purchase up to 3 vans                              $37,600 Senate approved additional $18,800 for 1 more van (2 total). House reduced back to 1 van at $18,800

SENATE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• Senate Appropriations Subcommittee Assigned: Dever, Mathern, Rust
• Added: 
  • Restored Base Budget Funding of $53,950
  • Restored $68,000 of the $137,500 HRTG supplanted dollars
  • Changed Loan & Grant officer position to FTE added $18,910 General Funds
  • Added temporary "Program Coordinator/Training/Information Officer" funding $140,000
  • Added funding for 1 DAV van $18,800
• Committee recommended DO PASS as amended 14-0-0 SJ 541
• PASSED Senate as amended 47-0 SJ 559
• Senate received House amendments SJ 1278
• Senate concurred with House amendments SJ 1357
• Amendments passed Senate 43-3 SJ 1357
• Signed by Senate President 4/14/2021 SJ 1464

HOUSE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• 2/16/2021 Received from Senate HJ 645
• Reduced Budget by -$94,094
• Reduce funding of Temporary Veteran Benefits Specialist position -$70,000
• Removed funding for one DAV Van -$18,800
• Removed non-existing funding for Stand Downs which -$5,000 (Not included Governors or Senate budget)
• Removed operating budget-$241
• Reduced State Approving Agency funding -$53
• Appropriations Committee recommended DO PASS as amended 18-1-2 HJ 1400 
  • Appropriations HR Committee Video 
  • Appropriations Full Committee Video
• PASSED House as amended 91-2 HJ 1510
• Sent to Senate for consideration of amendments SJ 1278
• Senate concurred with House amendments SJ 1357
• Signed by House Speaker 4/14/2021 HJ 1701

Signed by Governor 4/16/2021 SJ 1538

NDNG: Camp Grafton Training Area and Facility Development

A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 37-07.3-03 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the use of the funds in the national guard training area and facility development trust fund.

This bill would...

• Amend the timeline to end June 30, 2023
• Adds ability to Lease land
• Amends funding for "armories next to Fraine Barracks" to "armories" 

SENATE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• Committee recommended DO PASS 7-0-0 SJ159
• PASSED Senate 46-0 SJ 166

HOUSE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• Received in House 1/13/2021 HJ 227
• Committee recommended DO PASS 13-0-1 HJ 1057
• PASSED House 92-0 HJ 1103
• Signed by House Speaker 3/17/2021 HJ 1184
• Signed by Senate President 3/17/2021 SJ 879

Signed by Governor 3/22/2021 SJ 948

Fiscal Note: None

NDNG: Update UCMJ

A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 37-01-03 and 37-01-43, and subsection 8 of section 37-26-01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the operation of the North Dakota national guard.

This bill is a housekeeping bill that would...

• Amend dates of the UCMJ edition to the most current
• Amend definition of "Veteran" for this purpose to reflect current title 10 U.S.C. 12301

SENATE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• Committee recommended DO PASS 7-0-0 SJ 149
• PASSED Senate 45-0 SJ 156

HOUSE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• Received by House 1/12/2021 HJ 220
• Committee recommended DO PASS 13-0-1 HJ 1057
• PASSED House 92-0 HJ 1103
• Signed by House Speaker 3/17/2021 HJ 1184
• Signed by Senate President 3/17/2021 SJ 879

Signed by Governor 3/22/2021 SJ 948

Fiscal Note: None

NDNG: Armed Forces Jusitified Use of Deadly Force to Protect Nuclear Weapon

A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new subsection to section 12.1-05-02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the use of deadly force when protecting nuclear assets; and to declare an emergency.

This bill would...

• Allow members of the armed forces to use deadly force to protect Nuclear Weapon, Components or Nuclear Explosive device from;
  • loss
  • theft, destruction
  • sabotage; or
  • unauthorized control

SENATE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• Committee recommended DO PASS 7-0-0
• PASSED Senate 46-0 SJ 165
• Signed by Senate President 3/19/2021 SJ 910

HOUSE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• Received by House 1/13/2021 HJ 227
• Committee recommended DO PASS 14-0-0 HJ 1123
• PASSED Senate 94-0 Emergency Clause carried HJ 1165
• Signed by House Speaker 3/18/2021 HJ 1203

Signed by Governor 3/23/2021 SJ 976

Fiscal Note: None

NDNG: Death Benefit on State Active Duty

A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 37-01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to death benefits for national guard members; and to declare an emergency.

This bill would...

• Allow the ND National Guard to pay a death benefit to NDNG members next of kin providing...
  • Member was on active service for the state at time of death; and
  • members death was connected to the member's scope of duty; and
  • death benefit does not exceed $10,000
• Allow ND NG Adjutant General to adopt rules 

SENATE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• Committee recommended DO PASS 7-0-0 SJ 194
• Passed Senate 46-0 SJ 203
• House amendments received in Senate 3/19/2021 SJ 910
• Senate refused to concur with House amendments 4/5/2021 SJ 1148
• Senate conference committee: Wobbema, Elkin, Marcellais SJ 1148
• Senate accede SJ 1343
• PASSED Senate 46-0 Emergency Clause Carried SJ 1360
• Signed by House Speaker 4/16/2021 HJ 1761

HOUSE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• Received in House 1/18/2021 HJ 265
• Removed verbiage: who died while..."on active service for the state if the death was connected to the members scope of duty"...
• Changed $10,000 to $15,000
• Committee recommended DO PASS as amended 13-0-1 HJ 1139
• PASSED House as amended emergency clause carried 89-3 HJ 1195
• Bill with amendments returned to Senate for consideration of amendments 3/19/2021 SJ 910
• Conference committee appointed: Karls, Schauer, Schneider HJ 1477
• Senate accede HJ 1622
• Signed by Senate President SJ 1517

Signed by Governor 4/19/2021 SJ 1560

Fiscal Note: None

EMPLOYMENT. Military Member and Spouse Licensure Portability, Access and Compacts

Pre-approved: Commissioner, ACOVA, NDVLC, NDNG & TF M.I.N.D.

A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact subsection 3 of section 15.1-13-17 and sections 43-51-01, 43-51-11, 43-51-11.1, and 43-51-11.2 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to occupational licensure of members of the military and military spouses; and to provide for a report.

This bill would...

Address key issues identified by Department Of Defense Defense State Liaison Office's Military Families Top 10 Key Issues

• Add definition of a Military Member to NDCC 15.1-13-17
• Update definition of a Military Spouse
• Removes requirement of 2-4 years experience in occupation or profession

SENATE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• Committee recommended DO PASS 6-0-0 SJ 286
• PASSED Senate 47-0 SJ 292

HOUSE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• 1/28/2021: House received HJ 384
• Committee recommended DO PASS 12-0-2 HJ 1050
• PASSED House 90-1 HJ 1070
• Signed by House Speaker 3/12/2021 HJ 1138
• Signed by Senate President 3/12/2021 SJ 845

Signed by Governor 3/17/2021 SJ 895

Fiscal note: None

INSULIN Co-Pay

A BILL for an Act to create and enact section 26.1-36-09.16 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to accident and health insurance coverage of diabetes drugs and supplies; to amend and reenact section 26.1-36.6-03 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to public employees self-insurance health plans; to provide for application; to provide an effective date; and to declare an emergency. 

This bill will...

Create section of NDCC Insulin drug and supply cost-sharing limitations and formulary limitations

• Cost share limit of $25 per month for Insulin
• Cost share limit of $25 per month for Insulin dosing supplies

SENATE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• Removed all language of bill and created new language
• Retains cost share limit of $25 per month for Insulin
• Removes cost share limit for Insulin dosing supplies
• Committee recommended DO PASS 4-2-0 as amended SJ 390
• Amendments adopted and referred to Senate Appropriations SJ 399
• Amended "Drugs" to "Drug". 
• Appropriations Committee recommended DO PASS 14-0-0 SJ 677

FAILED SENATE 21-26 SJ 695 Video

Fiscal note: $2,998,224 State General Funds. $3,553,679 other funds (biennium)

Fiscal note 2: $823,419 State General Funds. $975,967 other funds (biennium)

FINANCE. Property Tax Credit for Disabled Veterans

A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 57-02-08.8 of the North Dakota Century Code,
relating to the property tax credit for disabled veterans; and to provide an effective date.

This bill would...

• Increase taxable valuation on the first $6,750 to $11,250
  • Taxable value of $6,750 = True and Full Value of $150,000
  • Taxable value of $11,250 = True and Full Value of  $250,000

SENATE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• Amendment: Reduced taxable valuation on the first $11,250 to $9,000
  • Taxable value of $9,000 = True and Full Value of $200,000
• Committee Recommended DO PASS 5-2-0 SJ 340
• Referred to Senate Appropriations
• Appropriations Committee Recommended DO PASS 14-0-0 SJ 628
• PASSED Senate 45-1 SJ 700
• Senate refused to concur with House amendments SJ 1444
• Senate Conference Committee assigned: Patten, Dever, Piepkorn SJ 1444
• 4/26/2021 Signed by Senate President SJ 1680

HOUSE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• 2/23/2021: Received from Senate HJ 950
• Committee recommended DO PASS 13-1-0 HJ 1155
• Referred to House Appropriations HJ 1155
• Amendment: Reduced taxable valuaion on the first $9,000 to $8,000
  • Taxable value of $8,000 = True and Full Value of $177,777.78
• Appropriations Committee recommended DO PASS as amended 12-5-4 HJ 1437
• PASSED House 87-3 HJ 1561
• Senate refused to concur to House amendments SJ 1444
• House Conference Committee assigned: Koppelman, Bellew, Kempenich HJ 1741
• 4/26/2021 Signed by House Speaker HJ 1994

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• Amend taxable valuation limit to the first $8,100
  • Taxable value of $8,100 = True and Full Value of $180,000 Video
• Committee recommended DO PASS 6-0-0
• PASSED Senate 47-0 SJ 1639
• PASSED House 91-0 HJ 1946

Fiscal note: $3,800,000 in 2021-2023 biennium

Fiscal note 2: $2,300,000

Fiscal note 3: $1,400,000

EDUCATION. Tuition Waiver for Dependents of Disabled Veterans

A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact sections 15-10-18.2 and 15-10-18.3 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the definition of a dependent for tuition waiver purposes.

This bill would...

• Amend the percent of veterans disability for dependents to qualify for tuition waiver from 100% to 50%.
• Adds verbiage of eligibility for the dependents of a veteran who had a 50% VA disability rating at time of death.
• Housekeeping updates to language. 

SENATE AMENDMENTS & ADJUSTMENTS

• Deleted all verbiage of Section 1 and 2 of bill NDCC 15-10-18.2 and 15-10-18.3
• Created NDCC 15-10-18.6 which creates "Reduced tuition in ND Institutions of Higher Education"
  • Dependent of resident veteran as defined in NDCC 15-10-18.2
  • Veteran has 50% to 90% disability rating by Federal VA
• Resident Dependent of a disabled veteran will receive a tuition and fee reduction relavent to the veterans disability
  • 50% disabled receives 50% reduction 
  • 60% disabled receives 60% reduction
  • 70% disabled receives 70% reduction
  • 80% disabled receives 80% reduction
  • 90% disabled receives 90% reduction
• Tuition waiver for dependents of 100% disabled veteran remains under NDCC 15-10-18.2 and NDCC 15-10-18.3
• Provides General fund appropriations to IHL to compensate $3,800,000
• Committee recommended DO PASS 7-0-0 SJ 412
• Amendment approved referred to Senate Appropriations 
• Appropriations Committee recommended DO NOT PASS SJ 14-0-0 

FAILED SENATE 2-44 SJ 701

Fiscal Note: $6,800,000 (Value of tuition-no General funds appropriated)

Revised Fiscal Note: $6,500,000 with $3,800,000 General funds appropriated $2,700,000 unfunded

LEGAL. Veterans Court Docket 

Pre-approved by Commissioner, ACOVA , NDNG and NDVLC

A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact subsection 1 of section 12.1-32-02 and sections 19-03.1-23 and 39-08-01.5 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to drug court and the creation of a veterans treatment docket. 

This bill would...

• Add a "Veterans Treatment Docket" to the NDCC under Drug Court.
• Veterans Treatment Docket is a district court supervised docket
  • approved by the supreme court
  • combines judicial supervision with licensed treatment programs to treat
    • substance use disorders
    • mental health conditions
    • behavioral health conditions
    • traumatic brain injuries
    • military sexual trauma; and
    • co-occuring disorders
  • Supreme court may adopt rules including rules of procedure for veterans treatment dockets

SENATE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• Committee recommended DO PASS 7-0-0 SJ 304
• PASSED Senate 40-6 SJ 313
• Signed by Senate President 3/30/2021 SJ 1083

HOUSE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• Received in House 1/29/2021 HJ 399
• Committee recommended DO PASS 13-0-1 HJ 1217
• PASSED House 87-6 HJ 1255
• Signed by House Speaker 3/29/2021 HJ 1317

Signed by Governor 3/31/2021 SJ 1131

Fiscal note: $145,247 in SB 2002

4/21/2021: Funding removed by conference committee Video

• Senate: Dever, Heckaman, Hogue
• House: Bellew, Brandenburg, Kempenich 

4/29/2021: Last day of session funding added to OMB budget HB 1015 Section 11   Video of amendment

Veterans Home Appropriations

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

HOUSE AMENDMENTS AND ACTIONS

• Added one-time funding from soldiers home fund;
  • $48,000 stipend for housing administrator
  • $99,400 for equipment
  • $100,000 for flooring project
  • $233,450 for demolition of administrators residence
  • $52,500 for security system upgrades
• Committee recommended DO PASS 21-0-0 HJ 766
• PASSED HOUSE 86-7 HJ 909

SENATE AMENDMENTS AND ACTIONS

• Added one-time funding;
  • Authorized $68,000 transfered from soldiers' home fund operating expenses for use on Nurse Call System upgrade
  • $38,000 for flooring project in the skilled nursing areas
  • $25,000 for strategic plan
• Salary increase of 2% wtih monthly minimum $120, Maximum $200 in first year and 2.5% second year
• Restores funding for 2 FTE
• Committee recommended DO PASS as amended 14-0-0 SJ 1277
• PASSED SENATE as amended Emergency Clause Carried 46-0 SJ 1300
• HOUSE REFUSED TO CONCUR HJ 1660
• House Conference Committee Appointed: Kreidt, B. Anderson, Holman  HJ 1660
• Senate Conference Committee Appointed: Dever, Poolman, Mathern SJ 1442

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS AND ACTIONS

• Removes funding for the 2 FTE restored by Senate
• PASSED HOUSE 85-6 HJ 1983
• PASSED SENATE 46-0 SJ 1757

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 4/26/2019 HJ 2302

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. 

2019-2021 base budget limit: $1,079,734

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

1. Remove mandate on offsetting HRTG funds                                            $100,000 NOT in final budget.
2. Funding for FTE                (Loan & Grant)                                                $151,794 Gov. Burgum Recommends $140,000 One-Time funding for Temporary Position. House Supports. Senate moved to FTE, 
3. ND Veteran Benefits Specialist training                                                    $18,310 House Denied, Senate Supports, Conf. Committee supported. Final: $18,310
4. Funding for FTE                (Veteran Benefit Specialist)                            $127,753 Denied
5. CVSO/TVSO outreach      (Tribal engagement)                                       $38,400 Gov. Burgum recommends $40,000 for Stand Downs, VSO training and outreach. See #6 and #8 below
6. CVSO/TVSO training        (Main Street Initiative)                                     $27,088 Gov. Burgum recommends (see #5). House supports $30,00 training and outreach. Senate supports $30,000. Final: $30,000
7. Grant Database update    (Per Audit recommendation)                           $15,000 Gov. Burgum recommends $7,500 from General funds. House supports $7,500. Senate supports $7,500. Final: $7,500
8. Stand Downs                    (Pass through funding. HB 1178)                    $10,000 Gov. Burgum recommends (see #5). House supports $5,000. Senate supports $5,000. Final: $5,000
9. PTSD Dog Grants             (Pass through funding. HB 1128)                   $50,000 Gov. Burgum recommends $50,000 from General Funds. House supports. Senate supports $50,000. Final: $50,000
10. DAV Vans                          (Pass through funding. HB 1168)                   $18,600 Gov. Burgum recommends $18,600 from General Funds. House supports +$200. Senate supports +$21,200. Final: $18,800
11. VSO funding grant NSO’s (Pass through funding. HB 1177)                  $150,000    Denied       

                                                                                                                    Total: $716,945

​HOUSE AMENDMENTS AND ACTIONS

• Adds base level funding
  • +$11,775 for travel expenses
  • +$7,935 for desktop support
  • +$2,500 for Microsoft Office 365 licenses
  • +$5,000 for Stand Down events (HB 1178 was $10,000)
  • +$200 for DAV vans (+$200 more than Governors recommendation) 
  • +$49,590 for NDDVA salary and benefit increases
    • 2% per year 
    • Insurance from $1,241 to $1,427 
  • +$30,000 for CTVSO training and outreach (Governor recommended $65,488)
• One Time Funding
  • +$140,000 One-Time funding for Temporary Loan and Grant Position (same as Governors recommendation)
  • +$7,500 Grant Database enhancements
• Maintained in base level funding (Pass Through Funding)
  • $18,600 DAV vans
  • $50,000 PTSD Service Dogs
• Appropriates $2,308 additional funding for State Approving Agency (non-General Funds)
• Committee recommended DO PASS as amended 21-0-0 HJ 786
• PASSED HOUSE 92-0 HJ 902

SENATE AMENDMENTS AND ACTIONS

• Supports House budget
• Adds:
  • +$11,794 for Loan and Grant Officer.
    • Makes Permanent FTE
  • +$18,300 for NDDVA Veteran Benefits Specialists Training
  • +$21,200 for DAV Transport Vans for total of $40,000.
    • Funding for 2 vans. One van per year
    • Makes Permanent part of budget
  • +$8,228 NDDVA Salary Increase to House for total of $36,773
    • 2% first year
      • Minimum monthly increase of $120
      • Maximum monthly increase of $200
    • 2.5% second year
  • Carryover authority for PTSD dog funding
  • Authority to accept and expend $291,500 for Veterans Home Cemetery Improvement Grant
    • Legislative approval for $26,500 from Melvin Norgard memorial fund 
    • $265,000 from Federal Grant
  • Committee recommended DO PASS 14-0-0 SJ 1331
• PASSED SENATE as amended 44-0 SJ 1340
• HOUSE REFUSED TO CONCUR HJ 1728
• House Conference Committee Appointed: Schobinger, B. Anderson, Holman  HJ 1728
• Senate Conference Committee Appointed: Dever, Poolman, Mathern SJ 1478

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS AND ACTIONS

• Reduced DAV van funding from $40,000 to $18,800
• Loan and Grant officer
  • Reduced funding -$11,794
  • Removed as FTE and placed as Temporary One-Time Funding
• House conceded the remaining Senate Changes
• Conference Committee Report Adopted by House HJ 1987
• PASSED HOUSE 88-4 HJ 1988
• Conference Committee Report Adopted by Senate SJ 1766
• PASSED SENATE 46-0 SJ 1766

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 4/26/2019 HJ 2302

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ND National Guard Tuition Waiver

A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact sections 37-07.1-05 and 37-07.2-03 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to higher education grants and tuition waivers for national guard members.

This bill would...

• Change application time to initial appointment

FISCAL NOTE: NONE

HOUSE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• Added: Declared bill an emergency
• Committee recommended DO PASS 14-0 HJ145
• PASSED HOUSE 88-1 Emergency Clause Carried HJ221
• Sent to Senate

SENATE AMENDMENTS & ACTIONS

• 1/11/2019 Received in Senate SJ 178
• Committee recommended DO PASS 7-0-0 SJ 1050
• PASSED SENATE 45-0 Emergency Clause Carried SJ 1066

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 3/28/2019 HJ 1409

Effective date: 3/29/2019 date filed with Secretary of State

Tax Exempt Military Retirement Pay

Pre-approved by Commissioner, ACOVA and NDVLC

A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new subdivision to subsection 2 of section 57-38-30.3 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to an income tax deduction for retired military personnel benefits; and to provide an effective date.

• Exempt Military retirement for ND Veterans and surviving spouses from ND state income tax

HOUSE AMENDMENTS AND ACTIONS

• Committee reported back DO PASS 8-5-1 HJ 362
• Referred to Appropriations  HJ 362
• Committee recommended DO NOT PASS 15-6-0 HJ 789
• PASSED HOUSE 50-42 HJ 898

SENATE AMENDMENTS AND ACTIONS

• Committee recommended DO PASS 5-1-0 SJ 964
• Referred to Senate Appropriations SJ 964
• Committee recommneded DO PASS 7-6-1 SJ 1139
• Amendment on Floor to make effective for those retiring after 2018 Failed SJ 1155
• PASSED SENATE 38-6 SJ 1155

FISCAL NOTE: $3,000,000 (General Fund)

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 4/8/2019 HJ 1631

• Effective date: Taxable years after 12/31/2018
• Information on implementation of exemption

ND Veterans Legislative Council Name Change

Pre-approved by Commissioner, ACOVA and NDVLC

A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact subsection 4 of section 37-18.1-03 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the powers and duties of the administrative committee on veterans' affairs.

This bill would...

• Update the NDCC to accurately reflect the correct name of the North Dakota Veterans Legislative Council. Formerly known as the North Dakota Veterans Coordinating Council.
• This is a housekeeping bill not intended to change the intent of the law.

HOUSE AMENDMENTS AND ACTIONS

• Committee recommended DO PASS 14-0-0 HJ 239
• PASSED HOUSE 90-1 HJ 252

SENATE AMENDMENTS AND ACTIONS

• Committee recommended DO PASS 7-0-0 SJ 1070
• PASSED SENATE 47-0 SJ 1107

FISCAL NOTE: NONE

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 4/4/2019 HJ 1507

• Effective date: 08/01/2019 per ND Constitution, Article IV, Section 13 

POW/MIA Flag to be Flown over ND State Capitol Grounds

A BILL for an Act to provide for the display of the prisoner of war and missing in action flag on the state capitol grounds.

This bill would...

• Require POW/MIA Flag be flown at all times on all outdoor flagpoles on ND State Capitol Grounds.
  • Displayed on its own pole or under the US Flag

HOUSE AMENDMENTS AND ACTIONS

• Changed "outdoor flagpoles" to "outdoor permanent, flagpole locations"
• Committee recommended DO PASS as amended 14-0-0 HJ 240
• PASSED HOUSE 92-0 HJ 283

SENATE AMENDMENTS AND ACTIONS

• Changed "outdoor permanent, flagpole locations" to "on the middle flagpole on the east side of the heritage center and on a flagpole in front o f the all veterans memorial"
• Committee recommended DO PASS as amended 6-1-0 SJ 1050
• PASSED SENATE as amended 44-1 SJ 1061
• HOUSE REFUSED TO CONCUR HJ 1451
• House Conference Committee Appointed: B. Koppelman, Louser, Johnston HJ 1451
• Senate Conference Committee Appointed: Davison, Meyer, Marcellais

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS AND ACTIONS

• Removed all current verbiage in Section 1
• Added new verbiage
  • POW/MIA flag must be flown daily on State Capitol Grounds at the following flagpole locations;
    • Immediately south of the state capitol building
    • In front fo the all veterans memorial; and
    • On the east side of the heritage center
  • May be flown either below the flag of the US on the same flagpole or alone on a separate flagpole
  • Must be displayed using proper flag etiquitte
• Declared an emergency
• PASSED HOUSE 89-0 Emergency Clause carried HJ 2021
• PASSED SENATE 47-0 Emergency Clause carried SJ 1873

FISCAL NOTE: NONE

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR 4/30/2019 HJ 2331