There is great anticipation this week in watching what happens next with HB 1176. That’s the property tax relief bill sponsored by Rep. Nathe and touted by Governor Armstrong to increase the primary residence credit which also caps local government. The Senate Appropriations committee amended the bill Thursday afternoon. They adopted amendments to reduce the primary residence credit to $1250 and limiting the credit to cover no more than 75% of a taxpayer’s liability. This amendment was pitched to ensure taxpayers are paying for some of the local services they receive. The other amendment approved provides intent for relief to be expanded to other taxpaying classes next session. Four other amendments were discussed but failed including a 2% cap for larger cities and counties and eliminating the ability to vote to exceed the cap until 2028.
What’s next: The amendments will be voted on in the Senate possibly Tuesday and then if the amendments are approved, the bill in its entirety will be voted on the next day. Because the bill has changed since coming over from the House. It is highly likely HB 1176 will go to conference committee where three members of each the House and Senate will work out differences.

Several other tax bills are still sitting in the Senate Finance & Tax Committee. We anticipate they will work on these bills this week and are also waiting to see how HB 1176 progresses. Of those bills, HB 1168 buys down school mills to provide relief and also caps local government and HB 1575 reduces the tax rate for property classes and caps taxable valuation.

Transportation Related

HB 1382, which seeks to increase the gas tax 3 cents for counties, cities & townships was heard. Rep. Hagert proposed an amendment to expand the funding to all, not just non-oil producing. The bill will provide $42M per biennium in funding broke out as follows: $18M for counties, $10M cities and $14M for townships. 

House Appropriations continues to work on the NDDOT budget SB 2012 which also includes local road funding by using 100% of the motor vehicle excise tax, legacy earnings fund and Flex Transportation Fund.

Law Enforcement Related

• SB 2128 which is the Attorney General’s Truth in Sentencing bill had a long hearing Monday. The committee heard from the Attorney General, State’s Attorneys and law enforcement in support of the bill. The committee did not discuss or take action on the bill.
• HB 1193 provides $3.5 million to local law enforcement & corrections officers for recruitment and retention bonuses was given a Do Pass recommendation from the Senate Workforce & Development Committee. The bill has been referred to Appropriations.
• Two bills introduced to provide assistance to counties for jail improvements have been stripped. HB 1213 was defeated in the Senate (20-27) after being amended in Appropriations to include $20 million in additional infrastructure revolving loan funds. HB 1197 was amended in the House into a study of jail needs, attempts to return the bill back to its original purpose as a grant for jails were unsuccessful.

Public Health Related

Although septic system bills are still being considered in committee, SB2308 placing the onsite wastewater recycling technical review committee under DEQ passed the House. HB1541 was amended in Senate Ag & Veterans Affairs to eliminate advisory committee language based on the efforts to limit state boards and committees. The committee is holding this bill pending status of related SB2267 being reviewed in House Energy and Natural Resources. Legislators agree that a bill addressing this multi-session issue is needed and are working together for resolution.

• HB1114 capping out-of-pocket insulin at $25 passed both chambers
• The Senate passed an amendment to HB1454 exempting local public health units and human services zones from an opt-out procedure for required vaccines. The bill is on the Senate floor calendar for passage as amended.
• HB1391 failed 17-29 on the Senate floor after rejecting a floor amendment. This bill would have created a new protected class status. GNDC and North Dakota Student Association were among those in opposition with health care systems and providers.
• A legislative management study regarding limiting the release of self-spreading viruses and bacteria, HB1458, was also defeated in the Senate.
• A motion to reconsider failed SB2105 relating to school surveys was defeated.
• The House did not concur with Senate changes to HB1440 and now moves to conference committee.

Many committees have wrapped up hearing bills assigned to their committee and will shift to working on those bills and taking action to get them out of committee. Click here to see the schedule of bills being heard the week of March 31st.