[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6394049,"mediaKeyId","2104202-5c656c26e7f552bbc209f9a0521c2807","parentId",2104202,"title","Public Service Commission seeks limited confidentiality for rail safety investigation records","audioSeconds",1564,"startMs",3213000,"endMs",4777000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2104202-5c656c26e7f552bbc209f9a0521c2807&start=3213&end=4777","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2104202-5c656c26e7f552bbc209f9a0521c2807/thumbnail_3213000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6394049/North-Dakota/Public-Service-Commission-seeks-limited-confidentiality-for-rail-safety-investigation-records","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6394049-9c6574bf7596e6d5474c9a9e0faac352/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448680&Signature=Q7sNX91cqVsfJzL2c-XWPBo9j~LGObyIS7YwmelQb7I3Fn1KsA7TCg7NU2UQD-Z7mLZprkQ-CRxBESJfX55BGYTpnK3cUZVhYdes1kstro5cN~N7J7hsZ1ShVmd6FoCWqJrpzsoU2KKfbOwqpsbo1MgUlFuhArnM-ioPIcBJG~Ea8NENaHP-LkizJ0SyCPmwUwMA7FWSzRgXzPKZ25NPnKPsCWml9BXYP5I60eBLnyr4m3EkJHrOOLL-JZ8Wh47KZRE9XbykYm8LBZo76W0a3d6Rgo7h287TS4zaO~CuF1dQtOmcSUaT92eFdvGwxVSNdsrDspw85X3BtzpvrV1XCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State of North Dakota","date","2025-01-08T00:00:00Z","article","The North Dakota Public Service Commission asked the House Judiciary Committee to protect certain state rail-safety inspection and investigative records from routine public disclosure so state rail inspectors can fully participate in National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigations.

Conrad Crockford of the Public Service Commission’s compliance division told the committee that state rail safety inspectors inspect tracks, switches, rail cars and hazardous-material shipments and sometimes are the first inspectors on scene at a derailment or incident. He said the NTSB uses a “party” system that permits multiple entities to participate in an investigation but requires those entities to protect investigation details and records until the NTSB releases them.

“It’s very important to ensure that [inspection records] are not being disseminated out to individuals that would maybe have other ulterior motives,” Crockford said, describing how inspectors mark precise defect locations by mileposts and tenths of a mile.

Crockford said House Bill 1110 would allow PSC rail safety inspectors to participate fully in NTSB investigations and would protect inspection records that detail precise defect locations consistent with federal procedure. He distributed an amendment drafted with the attorney general’s office that would make records “exempt” rather than leave disclosure as purely discretionary.

Media representatives and the North Dakota Newspaper Association opposed the proposal at the hearing. Jack McDonald said the bill would close records that have been open for years and could limit public information about derailments, and he expressed concern that the language, as drafted, could be interpreted to close PSC meetings as well. Crockford and committee counsel clarified the amendment is tied to the PSC’s railroad title and PSC staff said they would generally follow NTSB disclosure rules while participating in an investigation.

The committee asked the PSC to provide documentation of the NTSB party-system agreement and the federal disclosure requirements that govern parties’ obligations while an NTSB investigation is active. The PSC agreed to provide that information. The committee closed the hearing without a vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Judiciary Jan 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Public Service Commission told the House Judiciary Committee it needs to protect certain rail inspection and investigation records so state inspectors can participate in NTSB investigations without disclosing precise defect locations or other sensitive details.","taxTitle","Judiciary, House of Representatives, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28895,"location","North Dakota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6394052,"Attorney general's office seeks to let correctional officers collect DNA swabs for state database",1491,1999000,3490000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2104202-5c656c26e7f552bbc209f9a0521c2807&start=1999&end=3490","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2104202-5c656c26e7f552bbc209f9a0521c2807/thumbnail_1999000.jpg","/articles/6394052/North-Dakota/Attorney-generals-office-seeks-to-let-correctional-officers-collect-DNA-swabs-for-state-database","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6394052-3d7f57acafd5f3a02ec07ff35ce91940/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448680&Signature=NOtalPrqYyuy2kX5-FWXy7gUCRdTAVvRGeLI-d40fJUJ4FbTAnMWpe2jelHlGhw5WFHcXJ7~z00RzqYGj85teWRhjkUh5dZfDHnhdjcVlUd37Vyo~fZ9HEe~UR-M7QYjqMokcxswSDr1HGSmYLxmc1N8R162YQPlS4Fowf2uOZzmwNhAcDfo1dPpSgmcVZt~D1xnSLaZBG1VjDXIbImqQes1jeXLbnMzmVunHOSbezXjYfrbVZhwwtr3dEuxIJn8fGoOXICzxoClu3elruIjXg8fI78MXzd1mw0kVLh7SBrHoCe4nj~M~Rvjm3ZoiuDajTU7d1x2hwDJB7Zjx4lj8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The attorney general’s office asked the House Judiciary Committee on May 20 to amend the state DNA statute to allow correctional officers to collect DNA samples for the state and national databases.

Jennifer Penner, crime laboratory director, testified that House Bill 1044 would amend Section 31-13-4 of the North Dakota Century Code to add correctional officers to the list of qualified collectors. Penner said most samples submitted to the crime lab are collected at correctional facilities during arrest and booking; adding correctional officers as qualified collectors would simplify and speed sample collection.

Penner told the committee the laboratory supplies collection kits with written instructions and personal protective equipment, and facilities train staff to use the kits. She said the labs also provide training on request. The bill originally referred to “certified correctional officer,” but Penner and agency counsel recommended removing the word “certified” because certification processes vary; an amendment omitting “certified” was distributed during the hearing.

Committee members asked whether the change would increase testing; Penner said it would not change the number of samples or testing but would reduce missed samples when a licensed peace officer is not available. Penner said the state crime lab had a backlog of about 500 samples waiting to be entered into the database at the time of testimony.

Committee members also asked about who is eligible for collection. Penner said the law requires collection for individuals convicted of felonies and that a law passed previously authorized collection from felony arrestees; samples are lawfully owed for felony arrestees and convicted felons.

No written opposition was presented at the hearing. The committee closed the hearing on House Bill 1044 without a recorded vote.","The Attorney General’s office asked the House Judiciary Committee to amend DNA statute to allow correctional officers to collect saliva swabs for inclusion in state and national DNA databases, saying most samples are already collected at booking in correctional facilities and the change would streamline the process.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6394053,"DOCR seeks direct access to autopsy reports for jail inspections",634,214000,848000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2104202-5c656c26e7f552bbc209f9a0521c2807&start=214&end=848","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2104202-5c656c26e7f552bbc209f9a0521c2807/thumbnail_214000.jpg","/articles/6394053/North-Dakota/DOCR-seeks-direct-access-to-autopsy-reports-for-jail-inspections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6394053-e93a33ba98c94c4f9e0244206ff22498/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448680&Signature=W08RHdxFMADrvhVdAY5YSUAaDnufIb-fzVRCbh~sYA4yvdFg~8-Jud4-grx~IkBgHbvn2JY3aIWyN~92GXBRK2BcYXahTvpQ5KHJSEpHZIxHG1~G430g3gKqIwt9oKb2hIdG3CT0-xto8vHw4r7tyi7I3N0NPiu2Ea9ACNz1gTJJ2TpYiLQAEr~c8tEES8CeWvTbdylCVZ0Mh~ybuolttbwvk5KpbuOEuz~xxkaVThRnA6LL1QZ5Q2mI0Bvzw-X4GKJTw3nw-pbdZp9d1y29smm0g7IYPGdPnL1PANA01ISza6le-Bl5Be3UZN6G79grGwDG7jogPK5YhEtLJi3Iqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation asked the House Judiciary Committee on May 20 to amend the Century Code to allow its correctional facility inspectors to receive copies of autopsy reports and death notifications directly from the state forensic examiner.

Deputy Director of Facility Inspections Joseph Sharbutt told the committee the change in House Bill 1116 would add the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to the list of agencies that may receive a coroner's report or autopsy. He said the department needs timely access to cause-of-death information when inspectors conduct facility inspections under the agency’s statutory inspection authority (12-44.1).

“Knowledge of cause of death is important to the correctional facility inspectors because it allows us to identify specific practices which can be amended to make facilities safer,” Sharbutt said, offering an example in which an autopsy finding of an opioid overdose would prompt training on naloxone access and recognition of overdose signs.

Committee members asked several procedural questions. Representative Anderson asked whether the department already receives autopsy reports only when there is a formal investigation; Sharbutt said the department typically requests reports through jail administrators or sheriffs, which can delay inspections. He said the proposed change would speed that process.

The committee also noted written opposition submitted by Grand Forks County Coroner Mary Ann Sens, who questioned whether the statute cited in the bill (23-01-05.5) already permits such disclosures. Chairman Killeen asked staff to provide the committee with the full text of the referenced Century Code section so members could determine whether the bill is needed. The committee closed the hearing without taking action and said it would wait to review the full statutory text before proceeding.

No formal motion or vote on House Bill 1116 was recorded at the hearing.","The North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation asked the House Judiciary Committee to let its facility inspectors receive autopsy reports and death notifications directly from the state forensic examiner to speed inspections and improve safety recommendations after deaths in county, regional or state correctional facilities.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6394042,"Committee approves bill to offer juror counseling after traumatic trials",0,8445000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2104202-5c656c26e7f552bbc209f9a0521c2807&start=8445&end=8445","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2104202-5c656c26e7f552bbc209f9a0521c2807/thumbnail_8445000.jpg","/articles/6394042/North-Dakota/Committee-approves-bill-to-offer-juror-counseling-after-traumatic-trials","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6394042-ce8dfc2ec2909003e13f3be6cea89f9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448680&Signature=IdwZOrdqb0JCh64uSXUNLAbK30W40bjendSlL54T7hGu8TCeG6PwR~KEB13M~tdPej2ulFH371HEZ~DRuYHx25PiTWfm0WWgssw2J8JVhaHfkYlp4yqZU3HSjVwxmV9zmqBXlZ2PqIKr3JhU~CbAKFq5kSYl9PXmca7xepm5vaG6KRAwDyKZpumFzz70SBbFH4REjcwz51oAJMDoGVAGC7yInMUJLl6gJxv1U5Q6ALQiwb-kMLh7bTsE1XD0042Kx3iaa1ED2Co6N361Lc4ojlcr5iRSjah0DTBPmeKm6hfF25viMxLkIrh0bXqRCsUyNjj6RBcAkzB1-5X3myULhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Judiciary Committee voted 11-3 on May 20 to recommend passage of House Bill 1047, which would authorize courts to offer counseling to jurors exposed to traumatic or graphic evidence.

Supporters said jurors are compelled by law to serve and may face material that could cause emotional harm. Representative McLeod, Representative Johnston and others described specialized programs — similar to debriefings for first responders — as modest, targeted support for jurors returning to daily life after difficult cases. Representative Satrim and Travis Fink of the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents also praised specialized dockets and treatment-focused responses to participants’ needs.

Opponents said the change expands government responsibilities and questioned whether it is the state’s role to provide such counseling. Representative Vetter said the proposal was unnecessary and unlikely to have measurable benefit; Representative Wolf expressed similar reservations.

The committee took a roll-call vote. Voting yes: Chairman Killemin; Vice Chair Carls; Representative Christiansen; Representative Hoverson; Representative Johnston; Representative McLeod; Representative Olson; Representative Satrim; Representative Twite; Representative Van Winkle; Representative Schneider. Voting no: Vice Chair Vetter; Representative Henderson; Representative Wolf. The motion passed 11 yes, 3 no. The bill carries a small fiscal note for counseling services ($10,000 first biennium, $12,000 second biennium) that committee discussion acknowledged and directed bill carriers to include when taking the bill forward.","The House Judiciary Committee approved a bill to require courts to offer traumatic-event counseling to jurors in certain cases. Supporters argued jurors perform a vital civic duty and may be exposed to disturbing evidence; opponents said the proposal expands government responsibilities. The committee voted 11-3 in favor.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6394046,"Legislative counsel presents technical corrections bill; committee recommends do-pass",1464,4904000,6368000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2104202-5c656c26e7f552bbc209f9a0521c2807&start=4904&end=6368","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2104202-5c656c26e7f552bbc209f9a0521c2807/thumbnail_4904000.jpg","/articles/6394046/North-Dakota/Legislative-counsel-presents-technical-corrections-bill-committee-recommends-do-pass","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6394046-30b49af73473e3daa7ae3bc01378caa8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448680&Signature=f24wwf-tbD6qwJp5qt6MdH3LA1JI5LKePE3igzo4tGJw5oOTK4WoPpMU6Oh1vYXcPWvchcphHXlhhJsaTqLZmGk8SWoKV9q6mPLDMdE1olj~yPeF0aCalOyuAMgq65WlRPpeYA8ZQ12Mt8XK-onhV6VlZUzL~9ydXIL8pCEjRDZrRIpqG6TYSI8HltOaUGgJXqkoyfeRohysydUja8neu~eiPBu99a4yxa9ZoB-QhatoMjwZ8-aKLSVlVb7-Srf88~UPcT9xiRvCdvb2N9WmP72xe~9afXlvEy~EAu5rVxi1NbnmJjvkFH6VpA9fAisWOrz1x7mVTvEUDUx4CyFwcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Legislative counsel presented a sessional technical corrections bill to the House Judiciary Committee on May 20 and the committee recommended the bill for passage by a unanimous roll-call vote.

Senator Yana Bridal, interim Judiciary chair, introduced House Bill 1031 as the Legislative Council’s regular technical corrections measure. Megan Gordon, legislative counsel, summarized the section-by-section changes: merging 14 scattered definitions into one definitions section (section 101.49); fixing typographical errors and incorrect cross-references across multiple chapters and sections; removing obsolete references after agency reorganizations and past repeals; and updating an out-of-date reference to the Midcontinent Independent System Operator.

Gordon noted the bill also sets effective dates for tax-related provisions and that written testimony from Rebecca Freaky supported one of the clarifications. Committee discussion was limited. Representative Van Winkle moved a do-pass recommendation and Representative Twite seconded. The committee took a roll-call vote and the motion passed 14-0. The committee discussed placing the bill on the consent calendar; a unanimous vote is required for that procedural placement and the effort to place it on consent failed when at least one member voted no. The committee then recorded the do-pass recommendation and named a bill carrier for floor action.","The Legislative Council presented House Bill 1031, a sessional technical corrections bill that merges and corrects cross-references and obsolete citations in the North Dakota Century Code. The House Judiciary Committee gave the bill a do-pass recommendation by a 14-0 roll-call vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public Service Commission seeks limited confidentiality for rail safety investigation records

Attorney general's office seeks to let correctional officers collect DNA swabs for state database

DOCR seeks direct access to autopsy reports for jail inspections

Committee approves bill to offer juror counseling after traumatic trials

Legislative counsel presents technical corrections bill; committee recommends do-pass