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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"
Encourage community leaders to initiate public awareness and educational programs on water conservation topics. Articles in local newspapers, public service announcements on radio/television, local website links, handouts, posters, booths, presentations at service clubs/school classes, or starting an annual local "Water Conservation Day" in the community are all examples of methods to increase the public's understanding of water issues and to aid in mobilizing their support and assistance in sustaining local water resources. | |
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HB 1020 to be Heard on March 11
HB 1020 includes the appropriation for the State Water Commission agency operations and various water projects statewide. This bill will be heard by the Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, March 11 at 10:00 a.m. in the Harvest Room.
The North Dakota Water Coalition is arranging for testimony at this hearing. Testimony is scheduled for Fargo Flood Control, NW Oil Impact Area MR&I, NAWS, Southwest Pipeline, Red River Valley Water Supply, Rural Water MR&I, Irrigation and Water Resource Districts. A copy of HB 1020 is available HERE through the ND Legislative Council web site.
There will also be a full Water Coalition meeting at 1 p.m. at the State Water Commission lower level conference room.
Southwest Water Authority Bills
SB 2193 is the first bill in our tracking list to pass in both the Senate and the House and is now set to go to the Governor's desk for his consideration. This bill adds a declaration to study and further develop water resources to provide adequate water supplies for energy, industrial, agriculture, and other opportunities in southwest North Dakota. It also extends the year from 2010 to 2020, through which the authority may levy taxes.
HB 1278 was originally written to remove the City of Mandan from the Southwest Water Authority, however; it was amended so that rather than remove Mandan, the City will now have representation on the Southwest Water Authority board of directors. This bill passed in the House as amended and will be heard in the Senate in the near future.
Celebrate Water May 3-9, 2009
National Drinking Water Week is May 3-9, 2009. Water Week 2009 is part of a national campaign to increase the public's awareness about the vital role water plays in our daily lives and to remind everyone of the importance of the work their local water professionals perform. We often forget what a valuable commodity water is and how much effort is required in keeping it clean, safe, and accessible. Water Week is an opportunity for communities to show their appreciation for the hard work and dedication of over 59,000 local water systems who supply America with safe clean water every day.
We invite you to join in celebrating this important event. To help, we are pleased to provide a list of educational materials for your use. Please contact our office if you would be interested in obtaining any of the educational materials. These are FREE of charge, but supplies are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.
Please pass this information on to your local elementary schools. National Water Week is a great time to teach kids the value of water. Our professionally trained staff would be more than willing to speak on the importance of water.
We encourage your elementary school to contact our office at 800-349-6951 to schedule an appointment. |
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Hearing Schedule
| MON |
03/09 |
09:00 AM |
Fort Lincoln Room |
| HB 1369 |
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S-JUD |
Chairman: Sen. D. Nething |
| Comments: Relating to the removal of appointed political subdivision officers. |
| TUE |
03/10 |
10:30 AM |
Lewis and Clark Room |
| HB 1235 |
|
S-FINTAX |
Chairman: Sen. D. Cook |
| Comments: Relating to oil extraction tax rates and exemptions; and to provide an effective date. |
| TUE |
03/10 |
02:15 PM |
Roughrider Room |
| SB 2063 |
|
H-APPHUM |
Chairman: Rep. C. Pollert |
| Comments: (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. |
| WED |
03/11 |
10:00 AM |
Harvest Room |
| HB 1020 |
|
S-APPR |
Chairman: Sen. R. Holmberg |
| 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. |
| WED |
03/11 |
11:00 AM |
Fort Totten Room |
| SB 2427 |
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H-FINTAX |
Chairman: Rep. W. Belter |
| Comments: 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. |
| THU |
03/12 |
08:30 AM |
Harvest Room |
| HB 1305 |
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S-APPR |
Chairman: Sen. R. Holmberg |
| Comments: A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation to the state water commission for water supply project grants. |
| THU |
03/12 |
09:00 AM |
Missouri River Room |
| HB 1554 |
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S-GVA |
Chairman: Sen. D. Dever |
| Comments: Relating to extraterritorial zoning jurisdiction of cities; and to provide for application. |
| THU |
03/12 |
09:00 AM |
Pioneer Room |
| SB 2298 |
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H-NATRES |
Chairman: Rep. T. Porter |
| Comments: Relating to authorizing revenue bonds for the Red River valley water supply project; relating to the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District. |
| THU |
03/12 |
09:30 AM |
Prairie Room |
| SB 2401 |
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H-POLSUB |
Chairman: Rep. D. Wrangham |
| Comments: Relating to requirements for plans and specifications and bids for public improvements. |
| THU |
03/12 |
11:00 AM |
Pioneer Room |
| SB 2253 |
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H-NATRES |
Chairman: Rep. T. Porter |
| Comments: Relating to the appointment of water resource district managers. |
| THU |
03/12 |
11:30 AM |
Pioneer Room |
| SB 2336 |
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H-NATRES |
Chairman: Rep. T. Porter |
| Comments: 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. |
| THU |
03/12 |
02:00 PM |
Prairie Room |
| SB 2027 |
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H-POLSUB |
Chairman: Rep. D. Wrangham |
| Comments: Relating to extraterritorial zoning jurisdiction of cities. |
| FRI |
03/13 |
10:30 AM |
Pioneer Room |
| SCR4020 |
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H-NATRES |
Chairman: Rep. T. Porter |
| Comments: 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. | | |
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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 |
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02/27 |
APPR |
Introduced, first reading, (emergency), referred Appropriations |
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03/12 |
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COMMITTEE HEARING 03/12 08:30 AM |
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 |
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03/02 |
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Laid over one legislative day |
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03/03 |
APPR |
Rereferred to Appropriations |
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 |
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03/02 |
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Reported back, do pass, placed on calendar y 013 n 000 |
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03/03 |
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Second reading, passed, yeas 091 nays 001 |
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03/04 |
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Returned to Senate |
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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Reported back, do pass, placed on calendar y 012 n 001 |
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03/03 |
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COMMITTEE HEARING 03/03 10:30 AM |
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03/04 |
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Second reading, passed, yeas 078 nays 012 |
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03/05 |
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Returned to Senate |
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 |
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03/04 |
FINTAX |
Introduced, first reading, referred Finance and Taxation |
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03/11 |
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COMMITTEE HEARING 03/11 11:00 AM |
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 |
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03/02 |
NATRES |
Introduced, first reading, referred Natural Resources |
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03/13 |
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COMMITTEE HEARING 03/13 10:30 AM |
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 |
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03/04 |
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Reported back amended, do pass, amendment poc y 006 n 000 |
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03/05 |
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Amendment failed, placed on calendar |
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03/05 |
FINTAX |
Rereferred to Finance and Taxation | |
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