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How to Contact Your Legislators
Grassroots efforts start at home. They can start today. If a quality supply of water would help your community grow, then pick up the phone, or email your local legislator while the topic is fresh in your mind. Start your participation in this grassroots effort to bring quality water to every community and citizen in our great state!
You may leave a message for any legislator by calling 888-635-3447. This is a toll free call. Email addresses for legislators are available from the ND Legislative Council by CLICKING HERE.
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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):
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Did You Know?
North Dakota has one of the most open legislatures in the nation? Every bill must have a public hearing before a legislative committee, must be publicly voted upon by the committee, and then must come before the full House or Senate for still another public vote. You have the right, as do all citizens, to testify before the North Dakota Legislative Assembly on ANY bill or resolution. Your opportunity to testify on a bill is at the committee hearing. If you prefer, you may submit written testimony instead of appearing before the committee.
We have a great citizen legislature in North Dakota - that fortunately seems to work quite well. EXERCISE your right to testify before the legislature. Legislators want to hear what you have to saw.
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Weekly Legislative Liaison
The Legislative Liaison is sent most Fridays during the Legislative Session. It is now available on our Web site as well as via e-mail, fax, or regular mail service. E-mail is the most efficient way to stay up to date due to the time-sensitive nature of the information.
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Water Conservation
"Tip of the Week"
Children can be bombarded with the ecological problems of our adult world. Young children overexposed to ecological problems may be afflicted by a phobia (ecophobia). Like any phobic reaction a child can develop feelings of anxiety, fear, hopelessness, and disempowerment, which could contribute to a future of fleeing from, or turning away from, situations that deal with ecological problem solving. Allow children to be curious, explore, learn, appreciate, and evolve a positive perception of the natural world. A child with a solid educational foundation, based on a gradual accumulation of knowledge and concern for the natural world, will hopefully, experience pleasure and satisfaction in future social actions dealing with ecological topics. | |
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| SB 2440 - "It's Not Dead"
The Legislature reconvened on Wednesday, March 25 after a few days recess and all bills have now officially crossed-over from their house of origin to the other house for consideration. Three hundred forty one (341) bills were passed from the house to the senate and 338 from the senate to the house, with 308 bills that were either defeated or withdrawn from consideration.
Although SB 2440 was defeated in the Senate by a narrow margin, water resource advocates have not given up on pushing for stricter rules on the use of irrigation systems that apply farm chemicals (chemigation) in ND. Read more HERE.
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Hearing Schedule
| MON |
03/02 |
09:00 AM |
Lewis and Clark Room |
| SCR4030 |
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S-FINTAX |
Chairman: Sen. D. Cook |
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Comments: Relating to establishment and use of an oil tax trust fund and a North Dakota student scholarship fund; and to provide an effective date.
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| MON |
03/02 |
01:30 PM |
Harvest Room |
| HB 1487 |
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S-APPR |
Chairman: Sen. R. Holmberg |
| Comments: Relating to the receipt of federal economic stimulus or fiscal relief funding; declare an emergency. |
| TUE |
03/03 |
10:30 AM |
Fort Totten Room |
| SB 2193 |
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H-FINTAX |
Chairman: Rep. W. Belter |
| Comments: Relating to the powers and duties and tax levy of the southwest water authority. |
| THU |
03/05 |
09:00 AM |
Fort Lincoln Room |
| HB 1020 |
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S-NATRES |
Chairman: Sen. S. Lyson |
| Comments: (At the request of the Governor) A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the state water commission; to provide legislative intent; to provide an exemption; to provide a line of credit; and to provide an appropriation for repayment of the line of credit. |
| THU |
03/05 |
09:30 AM |
Pioneer Room |
| SB 2317 |
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H-NATRES |
Chairman: Rep. T. Porter |
| Comments: Relating to the funding plan for the Red River valley water supply project. |
| THU |
03/05 |
10:45 AM |
Fort Lincoln Room |
| HB 1286 |
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S-NATRES |
Chairman: Sen. S. Lyson |
| Comments: Relating to a water permit exemption for small commercial gardens. |
| THU |
03/05 |
11:00 AM |
Pioneer Room |
| SB 2316 |
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H-NATRES |
Chairman: Rep. T. Porter |
| Comments: A BILL for an Act to provide state cost-sharing for flood control projects. |
| THU |
03/05 |
11:30 AM |
Pioneer Room |
| SB 2254 |
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H-NATRES |
Chairman: Rep. T. Porter |
| Comments: Relating to maintenance of federal water management projects. |
| THU |
03/05 |
01:45 PM |
Fort Union Room |
| SB 2251 |
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H-GVA |
Chairman: Rep. B. Grande |
| Comments: Relating to compensation for water resource district managers. |
| FRI |
03/06 |
11:00 AM |
Missouri River Room |
| HB 1220 |
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S-GVA |
Chairman: Sen. D. Dever |
| Comments: Relating to the definition of a meeting. | | |
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Summary and status of select bills that may be of particular interest to the rural water community:
HB 1020 (At the request of the Governor) A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the state water commission; to provide legislative intent; to provide an exemption; to provide a line of credit; and to provide an appropriation for repayment of the line of credit.
Sponsor(s):
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File Date |
Comm |
Action |
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02/25 |
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Received from House |
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02/26 |
NATRES |
Introduced, first reading, referred Natural Resources |
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03/05 |
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COMMITTEE HEARING 03/05 09:00 AM |
HB 1220 Relating to the definition of a meeting.
Sponsor(s):
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Rep. Nathe, Porter, Thoreson |
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Sen. Stenehjem |
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File Date |
Comm |
Action |
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01/26 |
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Received from House |
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02/25 |
GVA |
Introduced, first reading, referred Government and Veterans Affai |
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03/06 |
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COMMITTEE HEARING 03/06 11:00 AM |
HB 1235 Relating to oil extraction tax rates and exemptions; and to provide an effective date.
Sponsor(s):
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Rep. Skarphol, Froseth, Wald |
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Sen. Bowman, O'Connell, Wardner |
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File Date |
Comm |
Action |
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02/25 |
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Received from House |
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02/26 |
FINTAX |
Introduced, first reading, (emergency), referred Finance and Taxa |
HB 1278 Relating to removal of the city of Mandan from the southwest water authority; and to provide an effective date.
Sponsor(s):
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Rep. Porter, R. Kelsch |
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Sen. Cook |
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File Date |
Comm |
Action |
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02/25 |
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Received from House |
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02/26 |
FINTAX |
Introduced, first reading, referred Finance and Taxation |
HB 1286 Relating to a water permit exemption for small commercial gardens.
Sponsor(s):
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File Date |
Comm |
Action |
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02/18 |
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Received from House |
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03/05 |
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COMMITTEE HEARING 03/05 10:45 AM |
HB 1305 A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation to the state water commission for water supply project grants.
Sponsor(s):
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Rep. Skarphol, Rust |
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Sen. Andrist |
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File Date |
Comm |
Action |
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02/17 |
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Received from House |
HB 1369 Relating to the removal of appointed political subdivision officers.
Sponsor(s):
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Rep. Skarphol, Wall, Williams |
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Sen. Anderson |
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File Date |
Comm |
Action |
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02/25 |
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Received from House |
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02/26 |
JUD |
Introduced, first reading, (emergency), referred Judiciary |
HB 1487 Relating to the receipt of federal economic stimulus or fiscal relief funding; declare an emergency.
Sponsor(s):
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Rep. Carlson, Boucher |
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Sen. Stenehjem, O'Connell |
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File Date |
Comm |
Action |
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02/04 |
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Received from House |
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02/25 |
APPR |
Introduced, first reading, (emergency), referred Appropriations |
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03/02 |
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COMMITTEE HEARING 03/02 01:30 PM |
HB 1554 Relating to extraterritorial zoning jurisdiction of cities; and to provide for application.
Sponsor(s):
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Rep. Damschen, D. Johnson, Wrangham |
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Sen. Klein |
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File Date |
Comm |
Action |
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02/25 |
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Received from House |
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02/26 |
GVA |
Introduced, first reading, referred Government and Veterans Affai |
HCR3014 A concurrent resolution urging Congress not to replace "navigable water" with "waters of the United States" in any Clean Water Act-related legislation considered by Congress.
Sponsor(s):
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Rep. Brandenburg, Belter, Boe |
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Sen. Heckaman, O'Connell, Wanzek |
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File Date |
Comm |
Action |
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02/25 |
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Received from House |
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02/26 |
AGR |
Introduced, first reading, referred Agriculture |
SB 2027 Relating to extraterritorial zoning jurisdiction of cities.
Sponsor(s):
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File Date |
Comm |
Action |
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02/19 |
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Received from Senate |
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02/26 |
POLSUB |
Introduced, first reading, referred Political Subdivisions |
SB 2051 Relating to elimination of the limits on the amount the oil impact fund and counties may receive under the oil and gas gross production tax; and to provide an effective date.
Sponsor(s):
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File Date |
Comm |
Action |
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02/13 |
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Received from Senate |
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02/17 |
NATRES |
Introduced, first reading, referred Natural Resources |
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02/27 |
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COMMITTEE HEARING 02/27 10:30 AM |
SB 2063 (At the request of the Governor) A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the comprehensive tobacco control advisory committee.
Sponsor(s):
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File Date |
Comm |
Action |
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02/18 |
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Received from Senate |
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02/25 |
APPR |
Introduced, first reading, (emergency), referred Appropriations |
SB 2136 Relating to lending and borrowing powers of the public finance authority.
Sponsor(s):
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Government and Veterans Affairs Committee |
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File Date |
Comm |
Action |
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01/15 |
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Received from Senate |
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02/13 |
GVA |
Introduced, first reading, referred Government and Veterans Affai |
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02/26 |
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COMMITTEE HEARING 02/26 10:00 AM |
SB 2193 Relating to the powers and duties and tax levy of the southwest water authority.
Sponsor(s):
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Sen. Wardner, Christmann, Robinson |
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Rep. Hanson, Hofstad, Nottestad |
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File Date |
Comm |
Action |
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02/10 |
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Received from Senate |
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02/25 |
FINTAX |
Introduced, first reading, referred Finance and Taxation |
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03/03 |
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COMMITTEE HEARING 03/03 10:30 AM |
SB 2251 Relating to compensation for water resource district managers.
Sponsor(s):
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Sen. Fischer, G. Lee, J. Lee |
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Rep. Kasper, Nelson, Nottestad |
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File Date |
Comm |
Action |
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02/04 |
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Received from Senate |
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02/25 |
GVA |
Introduced, first reading, referred Government and Veterans Affai |
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03/05 |
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COMMITTEE HEARING 03/05 01:45 PM |
SB 2253 Relating to the appointment of water resource district managers.
Sponsor(s):
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Sen. Fischer, G. Lee, Miller |
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Rep. Kasper, Nelson, Nottestad |
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File Date |
Comm |
Action |
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02/17 |
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Received from Senate |
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02/26 |
NATRES |
Introduced, first reading, referred Natural Resources |
SB 2254 Relating to maintenance of federal water management projects.
Sponsor(s):
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Sen. Fischer, J. Lee, Miller |
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Rep. Kasper, Nelson, Nottestad |
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File Date |
Comm |
Action |
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02/04 |
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Received from Senate |
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02/25 |
NATRES |
Introduced, first reading, referred Natural Resources |
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03/05 |
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COMMITTEE HEARING 03/05 11:30 AM |
SB 2255 Relating to exercise of the power of eminent domain by water resource districts.
Sponsor(s):
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Sen. Fischer, G. Lee, Nething |
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Rep. Kasper, Nelson, Nottestad |
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File Date |
Comm |
Action |
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02/12 |
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Received from Senate |
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02/25 |
JUD |
Introduced, first reading, referred Judiciary |
SB 2298 Relating to authorizing revenue bonds for the Red River valley water supply project; relating to the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District.
Sponsor(s):
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Sen. G. Lee, Anderson, Wanzek |
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Rep. Berg, S. Kelsh, Pollert |
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File Date |
Comm |
Action |
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02/19 |
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Received from Senate |
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02/26 |
NATRES |
Introduced, first reading, referred Natural Resources |
SB 2316 A BILL for an Act to provide state cost-sharing for flood control projects.
Sponsor(s):
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Sen. Fischer, Flakoll, Robinson |
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Rep. Damschen, Kaldor, S. Kelsh |
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File Date |
Comm |
Action |
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02/13 |
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Received from Senate |
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02/17 |
NATRES |
Introduced, first reading, referred Natural Resources |
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03/05 |
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COMMITTEE HEARING 03/05 11:00 AM |
SB 2317 Relating to the funding plan for the Red River valley water supply project.
Sponsor(s):
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Sen. Fischer, Flakoll, Nelson |
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Rep. Hawken, Hofstad, Kaldor |
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File Date |
Comm |
Action |
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02/13 |
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Received from Senate |
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02/17 |
NATRES |
Introduced, first reading, referred Natural Resources |
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03/05 |
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COMMITTEE HEARING 03/05 09:30 AM |
SB 2336 Relating to the duties of the state water commission; relating to the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District; relating to the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District; and to provide an effective date.
Sponsor(s):
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Sen. Fischer, Erbele |
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Rep. Hawken, S. Kelsh |
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File Date |
Comm |
Action |
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02/18 |
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Received from Senate |
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02/26 |
NATRES |
Introduced, first reading, referred Natural Resources |
SB 2401 Relating to requirements for plans and specifications and bids for public improvements.
Sponsor(s):
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Sen. O'Connell, Olafson |
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Rep. Hunskor, Klein |
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File Date |
Comm |
Action |
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02/13 |
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Received from Senate |
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02/17 |
POLSUB |
Introduced, first reading, referred Political Subdivisions |
SB 2427 Relating to allowance of the income tax credit on the form ND-1 income tax return for installation of geothermal energy devices; relating to energy conservation standards in new building construction; to provide borrowing authority; to provide an appropriation; and to provide an effective date.
Sponsor(s):
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Sen. Triplett, Grindberg, Schneider |
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File Date |
Comm |
Action |
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02/18 |
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Received from Senate |
SCR4020 A concurrent resolution urging Congress to preserve the exemption of hydraulic fracturing from the provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act and to not enact legislation that removes the exemption for hydraulic fracturing.
Sponsor(s):
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Sen. O'Connell, Grindberg, Wardner |
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Rep. Berg, S. Meyer, Skarphol |
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File Date |
Comm |
Action |
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02/26 |
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Received from Senate |
SCR4030 Relating to establishment and use of an oil tax trust fund and a North Dakota student scholarship fund; and to provide an effective date.
Sponsor(s):
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Sen. Triplett, Grindberg, Hogue, Potter |
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Rep. Glassheim, Hawken |
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File Date |
Comm |
Action |
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02/25 |
FINTAX |
Introduced, first reading, referred Finance and Taxation |
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03/02 |
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COMMITTEE HEARING 03/02 09:00 AM | |
| National News
SRFs in the Stimulus (New Grant Authority) - New prioritization - for projects on state list that are "ready to proceed to construction..." The National Rural Water Association's research staff thinks the stimulus bill preempts the small systems set-aside provision (see American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.)
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