Local/Region
SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2015 WILLISTON HERALD
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N.D. Legislature approaches end with much to finish BISMARCK (AP) — North Dakota's Legislature is headed down the session's home stretch but first must find consensus on a host of spending plans and other last-minute measures before the state constitution's 80-day limit is imposed. North Dakota's House and Senate have worked through several contentious measures this session, including expanding places where concealed-carry permit holders can pack heat. Lawmakers also have shot down a bill that would have prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation in housing, government, public services and the workplace. The Legislature also has hammered through some seemingly lesser legislation like rejecting a measure that would have given North Dakotans a nine-day head start over nonresidents to trap muskrats, those furry little rodents with a musk-like odor. Both chambers, though, still have dozen measures to work through, including all remaining two-year budget bills for state agencies, programs and the Legislature itself.
One of the more politically interesting issues at the Capitol this session is proposed funding for a rail safety program in the Public Service Commission's budget. The PSC wants $972,000 in the next two-year budget cycle to fund the program that included two rail safety inspectors and a rail safety manager to supplement inspections by the Federal Railroad Administration. The program had been a campaign platform for Republican Public Service Commissioner Julie Fedorchak when she ran for the position last year. GOP Gov. Jack Dalrymple also had included the funding for the program in his budget to help prevent oil train accidents, like the one that happened in his hometown of Casselton that left an ominous cloud over the city and led some residents to evacuate. But House budget writers have stripped the funding, with many Republicans saying it's unneeded and duplicates efforts of the federal government. Democrats are blasting the move, calling it a broken promise. The full House may decide the issue this week.
RAIL SAFETY FUNDING
LEGISLATIVE ACTION
BY JAMES MACPHERSON ASSOCIATED PRESS
Matthew Brown/Associated Press
The warning placard on a tank car carrying crude oil near a loading terminal in Trenton. Some 213 bills remained Friday morning, about 90 fewer than a week ago. That compares with about 259 bills that were still undone during the same period in
the 2013 session. Gov. Jack Dalrymple had been sent 299 bills as of Friday. Lawmakers began the session with 853 bills. The House and Senate each plan three floor ses-
sions daily next week to plow through legislation. Data show 337 bills have failed so far this session, compared with 291 bills that failed during the same period last session.
SINE DIE Monday is day 66 of the session. North Dakota's Legislature ended the longest session in modern state history in 2013 when lawmakers used the entire 80 days allowed by law to finish their work. The 1975 Legislature finished its work in 53 days, the shortest session in modern history, and plowed through 1,309 bills and resolutions, or 456 more than this session. Lawmakers in recent years have dealt with more complex issues and much more money. The last day of the session is commonly called Sine Die, which means adjourning without setting another meeting. The halls of the Capitol are full of predictions when the session might end. Friendly wagers also are being taken, even in the press office. Most believe the session will end at about 75 days so that lawmakers have five days in the bank in case they need to reconvene later. House Majority Leader Al Carlson keeps a "Days to 5" calendar next to his desk.
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