North Dakota legislators begin a special session Wednesday (1/21) with hopes to complete their work Friday. Lawmakers were called into session to focus on the federal Rural Health Transformation program. Five bills have been introduced that relate to the $199 million of federal funding and authorizing next year’s funds.

Tuesday, lawmakers met to hear pitches from fellow legislators on 19 bill drafts they were hoping could be advanced for the special session, 7 bills were approved to advance. A bill that proposes a change in how the early payment discount on property taxes is applied is the only bill of county importance. Here is a summary of the other bills that will be considered:

• $10 million emergency loan program for hospital in Elgin, ND
• Property Tax discount clarification
• Universal free school meals
• Expansion eligibility of free and reduced-price school meals
• Emergency funding for state agencies for PSC & ITD
• Use of proceeds from sale of UND golf course land
• Resolution recognizing YMCA’s 175th Anniversary

House and Senate members will organize in joint committees to hear the bills in order to streamline the process. There is one Appropriations Committee and one Policy Committee. Hearings on the bills are scheduled to begin Wednesday morning. Lawmakers will accept testimony in person and online.

Click for Special Session bill hearing schedule.

The five bills introduced for the Federal Rural Health Transformation program are:

• Appropriation for Federal Rural Health Grant Funds
• Requirement for schools to use Presidential Physical Fitness Test in physical education classes
• Physician continuing education requirements related to nutrition and metabolic health
• Physician assistant licensure compact
• Pharmacist scope of practice relating to laboratory testing and prescriptive authority

Governor Armstrong Delivers State of the State

Governor Armstrong welcomed lawmakers back to the capitol. He highlighted the great opportunity North Dakota has to improve rural health care service and revitalization. The state received double what was first anticipated. The plan is built around transforming rural health program will focus on four strategic initatives.

• Strengthening and stabilizing the rural health workforce
• Making North Dakota healthy again with preventive care and healthy eating
• Bringing high-quality health care closer to home
• Connecting technology, data and providers for a stronger North Dakota

The $199 million will need to be obligated in the next 9 months. North Dakota could receive $1 billion over the next five years.