[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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":56,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6380508,"mediaKeyId","2131354-6d6415de37cbe8bf2a6af5251f2679c8","parentId",2131354,"title","House bill would bundle election “cleanup” changes, bar third‑party administration and repeal city voter‑registration option","audioSeconds",3037,"startMs",693000,"endMs",3730000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2131354-6d6415de37cbe8bf2a6af5251f2679c8&start=693&end=3730","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2131354-6d6415de37cbe8bf2a6af5251f2679c8/thumbnail_693000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6380508/North-Dakota/House-bill-would-bundle-election-cleanup-changes-bar-thirdparty-administration-and-repeal-city-voterregistration-option","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6380508-92984c8202c0e1f4f4141067cdba1e32/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180845&Signature=RpGghmWvK9rpEcsozKUKWTEkgrXNysBGGa7WRoTd6t-sf2YVIl7CMru~m-h8p2KfGb-rh8noaFVx0KsPLO9lJ0E0l-4cbTTE1~oauwKUG6jcfoGBjj6urQXcq-nE918mF7IMAc8i-~GibP11bIWSs5m0H5cRlvtm7Rnwt~qNhd-9Je0Q732dHlpUdPFLnGwWUje8KMLbIkbX41hsmpJJku-kXewA3IVwsTX5n9OlBu~t3ILu7tigGkRN3ObXc0QDIN4jpG0ZF37XO~fhsnLItquQMF-pfh0MgXqKrnnndTg6OVZI9-HzIiw5mS3MzJM3nS1E5r9nqGyf6lE3XD1cnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Political Subdivisions Jan 17, 2025","date","2025-01-17T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Scott Lausser, sponsor: \"For the record, Representative Scott Lausser, District 5 in Minot,\" opened the hearing on House Bill 1165 by describing the measure as a compilation of cleanup items in North Dakota election law.

Erica White, state election director in the Office of the Secretary of State, told the committee the bill is intended to \"create uniformity in election administration code\" and outlined provisions ranging from contests for soil conservation districts to a definition of \"complete residential address,\" ballot printing and uniform absentee envelopes, and changes to how election judges can be removed.

The bill would: clarify what constitutes a complete residential address for petition signatures; remove a statutory duty for the Secretary of State to certify soil‑conservation contests that county auditors currently handle; prohibit state and political subdivisions from contracting with a third party to administer elections (with a proposed amendment to preserve ordinary vendor relationships such as printers and mailers); allow county auditors additional authority to remove election judges for misconduct without waiting for affidavits; standardize ballot printing by designating a single printing vendor for statewide ballots; add descriptive language clarifying the election official initials box on ballots; align deadlines for certified write‑in candidates with other candidacy deadlines; and repeal a provision that allows cities to register voters (cited as section 40‑21‑10 / 402110 in testimony).

White said the change on private contractors arose after a school district asked in 2024 whether it could contract with an out‑of‑state private entity to conduct its election. She testified, \"We believe that the only North Dakota election officials should be conducting elections in North Dakota,\" and offered a committee amendment to narrow the prohibition so counties may continue to use normal vendors such as printers and programmers.

Secretary of State Michael Howe described North Dakota's voter‑ID based system and told the committee, \"To vote in North Dakota, you have to have a North Dakota ID,\" listing acceptable forms of state ID. He said the state's central voter file and ID system provide many of the protections the bill's sponsors cited.

Opposition focused narrowly on the repeal of the city voter‑registration statute. Stephanie Ingebretsen, testifying for the North Dakota League of Cities, asked the committee not to repeal the city registration provision because one city, Medora, uses the authority to manage voter residency in its local elections. \"The city of Medora currently registers voters,\" she said, and described Medora's seasonal population and officials' desire to verify residency for city elections.

Committee members pressed both sides on details. Representatives asked whether the printer language refers to a physical machine or to a contracted print vendor; White and other witnesses said the term in practice means a contract vendor that prints ballots. White also discussed changing deadlines for certified write‑in candidates and said the office would accept a consistent timeline chosen by the committee.

The committee closed the hearing after questioning but took no formal vote during the transcripted portion. Witnesses and committee members agreed the measure is mostly technical; the League of Cities asked the committee to retain the city registration statute for Medora or to narrow the repeal. The Secretary of State's office pledged to work with the committee on the printer/vendor language and the proposed amendment to the third‑party prohibition.

Ending: The hearing record shows detailed technical discussion on multiple sections of HB1165 and at least one targeted objection to the repeal of the city‑registration statute; no final committee action on the bill is recorded in the transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Scott Lausser introduced House Bill 1165 as a set of technical changes intended to create uniformity in North Dakota election law; the Secretary of State's office outlined clarifications on addresses, ballot printing and absentee envelopes while the League of Cities objected to a repeal that would remove cities’ authority to register voters.","taxTitle","Political Subdivisions, House of Representatives, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28896,"location","North Dakota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":56,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6380497,"Technical fix would let newly hired county correctional officers join public safety retirement plan from day one",1634,7206000,8840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2131354-6d6415de37cbe8bf2a6af5251f2679c8&start=7206&end=8840","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2131354-6d6415de37cbe8bf2a6af5251f2679c8/thumbnail_7206000.jpg","/articles/6380497/North-Dakota/Technical-fix-would-let-newly-hired-county-correctional-officers-join-public-safety-retirement-plan-from-day-one","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6380497-d9d375f8354771f266da578267a0de88/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180845&Signature=cfX4wN0MiuLDKo0EpeRF-gLuToauqjZ-ZbvamD5ufPmJh1M77q3sT7PGeO4SXSogcPpp0AggbAS2xincId3gn4~cQmWln8OQXI8ZvqGz7yomwtgceyVXjQCwP6losTG3tD9nHuhzGCqPwI0sJqseWwYha~zRQDH6eMeh6Nn0FsQlZJFIMs~U9LsjbtzTZSICec4zB1Ax9UZOteOrMa-UCDx4uYZA3lFvwDgPEw17w4EjWsxA~HOW1GDAFcYJv0rpq8UixkOYCDa42FMfRzyMtCF0iqTOWFd-zb3q8EbkqkqQOYLZGkfbowVwTy4nBIlhaytpAsAkPTpGDiOYL~6LJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Todd Porter, sponsor, told the committee House Bill 1177 is a technical correction requested after the state's public safety retirement plan transition left newly hired correctional officers in the defined contribution plan during required on‑the‑job training. Porter said other public‑safety hires (police and firefighters) are placed in the public safety plan on hire, but correctional officers were being placed only after licensing completion, creating a gap.

Major Trent Wongen (Burleigh County Sheriff's Department) described local practice: when deputy sheriffs and correctional officers attend the same initial training, deputies enter the public safety plan on hire while correctional officers remain in the defined contribution plan during training. He said Burleigh County training often completes in about 30 days and asked that correctional officers be treated consistently.

Pam Binder, Burleigh County human resources director, explained an administrative problem the gap creates: employees receive two different retirement plan accounts (defined contribution funds are deposited and incur record‑keeping and fund fees while the employee is still in service), and the accounts cannot be cashed out while employed. She testified this creates burdens for HR and confusing choices for new hires.

Derek Holbein, Chief Operating and Financial Officer for the North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System, testified for PERS and said the proposed change produces no material actuarial impact because current contribution rates exceed the normal cost of the benefit; the retirement system administers multiple plans under the PERS umbrella and would implement the definition change if the Legislature acts.

Committee members asked about downstream fiscal effects and whether the change could be applied retroactively; PERS said the plan transition that closed the main defined benefit plan in January 2025 was accomplished on an expedited timeline and retroactive fixes are not available for accounts already created under the new rules.

Ending: Witnesses characterized HB1177 as a technical and administrative correction intended to remove an unintended gap between hire and plan eligibility for corrections staff; PERS called the actuarial impact immaterial. The committee closed the hearing and requested no immediate fiscal note.","Representative Todd Porter sponsored House Bill 1177 to adjust the definition of correctional officer so newly hired county correctional officers are eligible immediately for North Dakota's public safety retirement plan rather than waiting for training and licensing.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":56,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6380502,"Bill would create law‑enforcement family scholarship; backers urge it as a recruitment and retention tool",1534,4251000,5785000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2131354-6d6415de37cbe8bf2a6af5251f2679c8&start=4251&end=5785","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2131354-6d6415de37cbe8bf2a6af5251f2679c8/thumbnail_4251000.jpg","/articles/6380502/North-Dakota/Bill-would-create-lawenforcement-family-scholarship-backers-urge-it-as-a-recruitment-and-retention-tool","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6380502-637b3b49e3b33a34a7eb14230be17361/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180845&Signature=A0EnZfkZJSp7WL84g-HoAY3J5AqUlrU~Pgb5tZzk0KBuG6l6yQ5x-3Q9ZuxnuDHTudqCygJ47BIeLmpHYyMqR3QldJP0dG8J4Ppbz8xZNbmafDOp365Y1J7PlLYclVDMhXR3Dcoe6SJbkMQkijb~794DKqwMeU8sUOPLbYgm0qK5f604RCOc-ElewVE~TgvyeTy83wv2DXIC9vVe4KIVmIPkKAqpuXrBMApjMr0qWf1aT2zLmPwVow6noTs-tn0OPWgCumfLO9IZ~YnQspZk7iAed8VzO5fbz-lYF65wLCnQwMV6CPeS90OvXePYIUXTL0-Tli8WQj3WcY3ZHXIhIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Pat Heinert, sponsor, described House Bill 1171 as a recruitment and retention measure that would create a law enforcement family scholarship covering \"50% of the fees for tuition\" for dependents of eligible public‑safety employees and would be administered by the State Board of Higher Education.

Dustin Olson, lieutenant with the Burleigh County Sheriff's Department and president of the North Dakota Peace Officers Association, testified in support and said the scholarship \"will help assist in the retention of good employees who seek a career in law enforcement.\" He asked the committee for a due‑pass recommendation.

Stephanie Ingebretsen, appearing for the Chiefs of Police Association and speaking as deputy director/attorney for the North Dakota League of Cities, said the bill requires the dependent to be claimed on federal income tax returns and that the employee be employed at least three years and be active when the scholarship is awarded. She told the committee the scholarship would be awarded for institutions governed by the State Board of Higher Education and that if employment ended after the first semester the scholarship likely would not continue for a subsequent semester. \"It does require that for an individual's child to be eligible for this, they need to be a dependent, so claimed as a dependent on federal income tax, and that the person has been employed ... for at least 3 years,\" she said.

Kelvin Benson, representing the North Dakota Peace Officers Association, supported the bill and said the association would provide further feedback on implementation details and the 50% structure.

Brenda Zastopol, director of financial aid for the North Dakota University System, offered drafting and eligibility amendments. She recommended replacing the single tax‑return dependency test with multiple forms of proof (prior year tax return showing the dependent, a court order or divorce decree, or a birth certificate) and suggested changing award language to allow scholarships and grants up to \"cost of attendance\" so the program could cover tuition, fees, books, housing and transportation. She also noted that the university system was not involved in developing the bill's $5 million appropriation but could model a high‑level estimate based on occupational SOC codes.

Committee members questioned the size and scope of the appropriation (the bill appropriates $5,000,000 for two years), whether the scholarship would be automatically granted to any eligible dependent without academic or financial‑need review, whether it would apply to graduate and professional programs, and whether the scholarship would cover public institutions only. Witnesses told the committee: the bill as drafted would direct the State Board of Higher Education to grant scholarships to eligible applicants; the bill requires three years of employment and active employment at award time; and the sponsor and witnesses said further drafting could narrow residency, dependency, and award limits.

Ending: Supporters asked for a due‑pass recommendation; witnesses urged additional drafting work on dependency proof, eligible institutions, and the fiscal estimate before the bill proceeds to the appropriations process.","House Bill 1171 would create a scholarship program to cover 50% of tuition (after other aid) for dependents of eligible public safety employees; witnesses said it is intended to help recruit and retain emergency workers. The bill includes a $5 million appropriation and drew questions about eligibility, administration and fiscal scope.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":56,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6380493,"Committee backs measure allowing 18‑year‑old students to leave campus to vote; bill passes committee 12‑0",1175,8929000,10104000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2131354-6d6415de37cbe8bf2a6af5251f2679c8&start=8929&end=10104","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2131354-6d6415de37cbe8bf2a6af5251f2679c8/thumbnail_8929000.jpg","/articles/6380493/North-Dakota/Committee-backs-measure-allowing-18yearold-students-to-leave-campus-to-vote-bill-passes-committee-120","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6380493-36cbb50e02f380254d087c3df6e84d46/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180845&Signature=kkLBzjeBmNoI~75DdodV5p749forMIXQ0mxlYuhBOPH93cZW~MFDqOHEnG5mlv8GL2hhL--WFSQQBKyVLcpaC~ravc-OKh6KTuJyA3aWHVmIDVQ66eg69-NXOvF1UMGzkgUmO9eYNxQSK5UinVSe8rT2RVwCv74BpVbXtNlfgaZKtvOpl-b9S13xOXf9Uakzvnus-J92nLsahpvLsq9ytqhi7QXc4yM7~qrIBFBiKIaSuQgeD05VBZsgwPl7Tz40rZiDGciuTDwpIdRAh~YBl9Fx1VFgjDc3xESak-g6OtkWBpryQ2H5vfaxhe9lc6Vf9T2cJgy6Bvo1z2eL-hKlyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Anna Novak introduced House Bill 1178, authored with input from a Beulah High School senior, as a measure directing school boards to adopt a policy allowing students 18 and older to leave campus to vote in elections.

Sophia Dosto, the student sponsor, told the committee she had seen upperclassmen miss the opportunity to vote because they were \"stuck in class and did not wanna risk being counted as absent.\" She testified the bill would \"remove barriers that could restrict many high school students from making it to the polls\" and noted research suggesting early voting habits increase later participation.

Secretary of State Michael Howe testified in support and encouraged local adoption. He said North Dakota already offers secure voting options and described state systems that account for newly eligible voters: \"To vote in North Dakota, you have to have a North Dakota ID,\" and the central voter file reflects age and eligibility so students who turn 18 are available to vote. Howe noted counties may offer early in‑person voting in advance of Election Day and that the bill complements existing options.

Committee members discussed practicalities such as extracurricular conflicts, whether mail‑in voting could be an alternative, and how local school policies would implement time allowances (for example, lunch periods or off‑hours). Representative Hager and others said local control—letting each school board set a policy—was appropriate. No opposition testified. The committee voted a do‑pass recommendation on House Bill 1178; Representative Osley moved for the du‑pass, Representative Hager seconded, and the roll call recorded the outcome as 12 yeas, 0 nays, 1 absent (not voting).

Ending: The committee recommended HB1178 do pass by a 12‑0 recorded vote and will carry the bill to the House floor; the measure directs local school boards to adopt or authorize local policies to allow eligible students time to vote.","House Bill 1178 would direct local school boards to adopt policies allowing students age 18 and older to leave campus to vote. Student sponsor and the Secretary of State supported the bill; the committee voted a \"do pass\" recommendation 12‑0 with one absent.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House bill would bundle election “cleanup” changes, bar third‑party administration and repeal city voter‑registration option

Technical fix would let newly hired county correctional officers join public safety retirement plan from day one

Bill would create law‑enforcement family scholarship; backers urge it as a recruitment and retention tool

Committee backs measure allowing 18‑year‑old students to leave campus to vote; bill passes committee 12‑0