[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6372654,"mediaKeyId","2147368-81740d5fc4ff81c778e58a10d3839535","parentId",2147368,"title","Lawmakers hear emotional testimony for missing Indigenous persons task force bill","audioSeconds",5257,"startMs",5891000,"endMs",11148000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2147368-81740d5fc4ff81c778e58a10d3839535&start=5891&end=11148","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2147368-81740d5fc4ff81c778e58a10d3839535/thumbnail_5891000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6372654/North-Dakota/Lawmakers-hear-emotional-testimony-for-missing-Indigenous-persons-task-force-bill","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6372654-4bc51d3130936147638123e3b4f47bfe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161574&Signature=SDsArSm1KX1p~VEZ60tNxZbNZ49iXyKqYEcRH2rmNlnSIi0IR-hH0S~zW7giytBU7a7Zs-o41jGRKJtia4uSlHiF~Au7yC-GjQxC992uQnZ1q2SusQ4nP5TN-d58j8E8QdKMKkGxHgWP0qCeYHLIP0IE6-JLBpES64jNApmLmVBR3UfGmQLZkSijXSUCQ8cYV326iqSDrH0925hmHTLSmCies-NRMMG3Bdl0SsutBD84C~1xGdDGfUSNqYBBDiKpY3z6T63YNI2QSIh~E2BLuE-sM2uKU2ZPPzmcFZAnnbWBmV34qeWrgvmDf~nNtxOSqaiPxTxsVA4Tw0nNIu2o7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Government and Veterans Affairs, ND","date","2025-01-23T00:00:00Z","article","Lawmakers heard extensive testimony March 12 on House Bill 11‑99, a bill to establish a Missing Indigenous Persons task force in North Dakota. Supporters — including tribal leaders, legislators from Native districts, family members, and law‑enforcement officials — described the measure as a coordinated response to a longstanding crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people (MMIP) in the state.

Representative Dawson Holly (District 31), sponsor of HB11‑99, said Indigenous communities are disproportionately affected by disappearance and violence and that other states (South Dakota, Montana and Minnesota) have created similar task forces. “Indigenous communities in North Dakota are just proportionally impacted by violence and disappearance,” Holly said, pointing to national reporting and Centers for Disease Control statistics cited in testimony.

Multiple tribal leaders and family members described recent cases in their communities and urged immediate action. Representative Jamie Davis (District 9) and Turtle Mountain Band Chairman Jamie Azure described a search in remote country where weak cell and data coverage hindered search-and-rescue coordination; Davis urged adding tribe-specific representation and an executive director from the Indian Affairs Commission in an amendment she circulated. Spirit Lake Nation Chairwoman Lana Street recounted delays in federal response in two recent local disappearances and urged creation of a tribal emergency-alert system (sometimes referred to in testimony as a “feather alert”), better funding for tribal law enforcement, memoranda of understanding to allow state agencies to step in quickly during a crisis, and culturally appropriate victim services.

Standing Rock and other tribal witnesses described grassroots search efforts, the role of volunteer groups and the limits of existing federal responses. Tanya Hertel and Alva Cottonwood Gabe recounted family experiences with missing relatives and the difficulty of continuity in investigations when jurisdiction changes among city, county and federal agencies.

Law-enforcement testimony from Lonnie Grabowska, director of the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, outlined existing tools that can be used in coordination with a task force: a statewide missing‑persons database linked to the National Crime Information Center, Savanna’s Act coordination activities with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and special law-enforcement commission (SLEC) arrangements that allow state agents to work in tribal areas. Grabowska said improved, regular communication and clearly defined roles would help implementation.

Representative Holly said the bill contains a fiscal appropriation of $250,000 for the initial biennium; several witnesses said the measure should be coupled with systems to enable quicker alerts and interagency data sharing. No vote was taken; the sponsor and members agreed to draft targeted amendments to add tribal representation and clarify the chairing and succession provisions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Government and Veterans Affairs II Jan 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Lawmakers and tribal leaders urged creation of a Missing Indigenous Persons task force during an extended hearing on House Bill 11‑99, citing jurisdictional confusion, gaps in data and delays in response as drivers of the crisis.","taxTitle","Government and Veterans Affairs, House of Representatives, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28892,"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},6372659,"Committee backs burial medallion for National Guard and reserve members; bill cleared from committee",1223,4296000,5519000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2147368-81740d5fc4ff81c778e58a10d3839535&start=4296&end=5519","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2147368-81740d5fc4ff81c778e58a10d3839535/thumbnail_4296000.jpg","/articles/6372659/North-Dakota/Committee-backs-burial-medallion-for-National-Guard-and-reserve-members-bill-cleared-from-committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6372659-6e89ee470849a538dd15fd60fd615e6f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161574&Signature=Kj~CACpn0Asb~j0WMqoT0F06aEORwpQOZeYO5yMLKy~DKTQdj1u1ZQQQlw-ofFhjxnE9jMokVqgSzDxPqpfxHE-C27RuNy5-ZYm0RzUmI2R97DFoFtwgn~4zIAskjlp8fyEZVzoPN0tcwZiDGiuvRoL7vjkVGNJV48kKPu2LAVw6-MM2YSes1qFZo~oR2NDBTEJDAusj8PV6F3PjEpgyNE44KJTReCW9VUIpJCmg1TiCZXfEPMeSCkF5CV4z5VWZy9AgGrRXVbqhRqFwJr~QzCBDVtG0hmN9T1diOiP~QXkjI4N48gDOFWIonoaCPLIwbRUH4Hkoq2LYrQnPS9iQvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Government and Veterans Affairs committee voted to give House Bill 1293 a do-pass recommendation after testimony that the measure would allow the state to provide a burial medallion for National Guard and reserve members who are not otherwise eligible for a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs marker.

Representative Steve Vetter, sponsor of HB1293, said the bill would give North Dakota National Guard and reserve members parity with other service components that may receive medallions when they are buried in private cemeteries. “This bill gives the National Guard parity with the other branches of the military,” Vetter said.

Lonnie Longan, Commissioner of the North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs, testified the measure would create a state-issued bronze medallion for eligible Guard and reserve members buried in private cemeteries and estimated costs by using historic burial rates. Longan provided a biennial fiscal estimate based on roughly 4% of state cemetery burials being Guard/reserve and vendor pricing for bronze medallions (roughly $90–$195 each); his office proposed the appropriated funding be requested from the general fund.

Supporters including Jenna Lansing and veterans’ representatives described the medallion as a recognition tool for citizen-soldiers who did not meet federal marker eligibility. Questions from committee members covered whether the medallions would be state-branded (Commissioner Longan said the department would work with the Guard on a North Dakota design) and whether the program would be retroactive; Longan said the fiscal note addressed going forward and that retroactive awards would require further criteria or an amendment.

Representative Rohrer moved a do-pass and Representative Van Winkle seconded. Jackson called the roll; the motion carried with a 14–0 vote. The committee closed the hearing and forwarded HB1293 with the recommendation.","The Government and Veterans Affairs committee recommended a due-pass for HB1293 to allow North Dakota to provide state-designed burial medallions for National Guard and reserve members not otherwise eligible for VA markers; the committee approved the motion by roll call.",{"_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},6372664,"Lawmakers debate bill to allow caucus leaders access to members' bill drafts to improve session efficiency",2258,2004000,4262000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2147368-81740d5fc4ff81c778e58a10d3839535&start=2004&end=4262","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2147368-81740d5fc4ff81c778e58a10d3839535/thumbnail_2004000.jpg","/articles/6372664/North-Dakota/Lawmakers-debate-bill-to-allow-caucus-leaders-access-to-members-bill-drafts-to-improve-session-efficiency","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6372664-2b77038bff469aee751cf113ff6c3d8e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161574&Signature=VZA0EhPLr2PUu8DZF4L1bl8DQc4T1AB0ud0YO0QMRGoI9WLB~Z25edJXET7kEjT0oSUBdCHepc7v5gZAixjU2SQcev9tFds1uIELvjw1qDSMuDAhxUrpqz6ocIieB8AEVIciCN4FjBnl14iHd4LIuKBl9guAo37ztVtBYIpMjXo0fY0NZJbQb9--jCu3UeCc2HydFPYkx8erW4fNV0ftkmBpzD9b87~hZ21xr3XaplCXPRuRqYAq8KVeDF-RHieVMF0CO5Jes68HaE7y5RhmrBDcuVRjgRSnyWbP-UvuJ1olj9cztaNjI~9cnjBIJWynxmrKRCPWADd4vB6Ez5sD-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Scott Lausser introduced House Bill 1356 during a Government and Veterans Affairs committee hearing March 12, proposing that leaders of the four legislative caucuses receive access to bill drafts requested by members of their caucuses before the legislative session.

Lausser said the aim is efficiency and earlier coordination: leaders could see themes among drafts, convene members working on similar topics, and reduce duplication. “I started thinking, what opportunities do we have going into session… could we increase some efficiencies by having access to those bill drafts,” he said. He told the committee the idea began after consulting Legislative Council staff and caucus leaders and that the measure would preserve attorney-client confidentiality protections.

Committee members expressed a range of concerns. Several members asked how the system would treat early-stage drafts prepared by interns or authors who might not intend to introduce a bill; Lausser said practices would vary by leader and he envisioned voluntary use and timing controls. Representative Rohrer and others warned leaders could pressure freshman legislators not to introduce bills or appropriate authorship credit to incumbents; Lausser and several leaders responding to testimony said poor leadership would be to abuse such access and that existing committee and cosponsorship tools already allow collaboration.

House Minority Leader Mike Lafourne testified in support and urged the committee to consider mitigation measures (opt-in features, topic-based groupings, mechanisms to credit multiple prime sponsors). He said the legislature produced a very large number of bill drafts in the pre-session period — roughly 1,400–1,500 drafts — and leaders need tools to triage them. Lafourne suggested the committee pursue guardrails such as opt-in features, topic groupings, and ways to credit co-prime sponsors to reduce duplication without limiting members’ ability to introduce bills.

Several members volunteered to work with the sponsor and legislative council on amendments that could add opt-in or timing controls or to add an option for leaders to notify members before sharing. The committee did not vote on the bill at the hearing.","Representative Scott Lausser told the Government and Veterans Affairs committee HB1356 would let the four legislative caucus leaders see bill drafts requested by their caucus members before session, aiming to reduce duplicative bills and improve coordination; members raised confidentiality and potential for pressure on freshmen.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6372668,"House panel hears bill to clarify use of raffle proceeds by local political committees",765,531000,1296000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2147368-81740d5fc4ff81c778e58a10d3839535&start=531&end=1296","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2147368-81740d5fc4ff81c778e58a10d3839535/thumbnail_531000.jpg","/articles/6372668/North-Dakota/House-panel-hears-bill-to-clarify-use-of-raffle-proceeds-by-local-political-committees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6372668-697eb8905f1f08f83c6c338a9929edf8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161574&Signature=ITlh1EuMd-M~~6fYD0pmGdsG8dRelzeS5Hes6qLSYQyLQXzHUwctoMGoaJpvTuZ8Rgl8ZAtrSJzCZYlgrAMiwyR-OSBbrn2Wpm2DmVfFPiqw5~I8f2hN6f~kvNzuLaxw62EfthhFhWV5vFVHJq82Eixz1WqD-pWtYuAZ387f~08AxvG7aw6Xw1tO4pKtseW2uIwuvxxhTHU9I1-SFHVYdzMfWiHhakbH0RmpeKRUMgSsRHx7gE2lwYrmpaWsD8xqlQt5q7fbDoIdmUUNOoqiKWsce9lJNaXYSF9lj5xzjAuWO879Ugq-a5FrvcXVVOixC0oJCFm5xehe1k8DlFrl-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House lawmakers heard testimony March 12 on House Bill 1276, which would clarify that nonprofit-structured political committees registered with the Secretary of State may use net raffle proceeds for political purposes and correct a drafting error in a 2021 bill.

The bill’s sponsor, Representative Jared Hendricks, said the measure fixes an unintended grammatical problem in 2021 legislation and aligns state statute with the practice of legislative district committees that raise funds through raffles, including gun raffles. “HB 1276 simply requires that these organizations cannot be denied on the basis of designation alone,” Hendricks told the Government and Veterans Affairs committee.

Hendricks said the bill does not change existing limits on prize values in gaming permits: an organization’s total prizes in a 12-month period remain capped at $40,000 and the maximum individual prize remains $8,000. He emphasized the measure is not intended to affect federal campaign law or finance rules overseen by the Federal Election Commission.

Committee members asked how the bill interacts with prior activity and enforcement. Hendricks described the measure as a “cleanup bill” intended to reflect legislative intent after SB2251 in 2021 and to prevent inconsistent local decisions that could prohibit political committees — organized purely for political purposes — from using funds they lawfully raise. Representative Carls and Representative Christi asked whether bingo or progressive jackpots would be affected; Hendricks and committee staff said existing prize caps continue to apply and that the raffle-specific clarification does not expand allowances for bingo and other gaming types.

Representative Wolf noted another bill in the Judiciary Committee would raise the prize caps from $8,000 to $15,000 for a single prize and from $40,000 to $50,000 total annual prizes. Hendricks said HB1276 does not change prize ceilings; it addresses only the designation issue and the grammatical error in earlier language.

The committee took no vote and closed the hearing after hearing no public testimony for or against the bill.","A Government and Veterans Affairs committee hearing on House Bill 1276 centered on clarifying that state-registered political committees may use net raffle proceeds for political purposes and fixing a 2021 drafting error that created uncertainty.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6372650,"Committee approves recognition of POW/MIA Day as a state proclamation holiday",1242,11686000,12928000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2147368-81740d5fc4ff81c778e58a10d3839535&start=11686&end=12928","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2147368-81740d5fc4ff81c778e58a10d3839535/thumbnail_11686000.jpg","/articles/6372650/North-Dakota/Committee-approves-recognition-of-POWMIA-Day-as-a-state-proclamation-holiday","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6372650-eee453e5ae1b07a28ecca08a1dfb0bd9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161574&Signature=RtizxCbU3~FxbLnGniauvziMZ9kxkZD6P~BAqGJoSaBFlO4DIpwM98SYH1PUHR-EAxw651vCrNyQ-P2ERKQVHGiY2BR-V~kYdj6woxiykg9u66VA4w7ZId3o8rD8Rn2MCHiu6rh55T1CtEnc-XQGwYP7VrUJD76ntLBYsXeeAW3Scp5q65KsGKQD6p9QKcfW67x8YJVI0TvHj-7lfq0Rs9K-fYTBNzCq3n9QFt3PZ-yD1t9K-NxO4d2KJkMQ4dIrRdn9~T4LnQaNDKXfe7IwbNRXzxQKcbOWacvP5p1khBVMco6O-XVCmQDHm8sdsmDAKhtCM8LHmgyn7Dd3K4PyUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Government and Veterans Affairs committee voted to recommend House Bill 1403, which would designate an annual Prisoner of War and Missing in Action Day as a state recognition day requiring an annual gubernatorial proclamation. The day would be unpaid and not require closures, but proponents said it would honor service members who remain missing or suffered as prisoners of war.

Representative Mary Schneider, sponsor of the bill, said the designation provides family members and the public a yearly moment of recognition for POWs and MIAs. “A state holiday will at least give those POWMIA families the dignity of a day they are recognized, remembered, and proclaimed,” Schneider said.

Testimony in support came from veterans and veterans’ organizations. Senator Richard Marschlade described state and national statistics for unrecovered service members and noted that the federal National POW/MIA Flag Act (2019) requires the POW/MIA flag to be flown at certain federal sites; he and Jim Nelson of the Veterans Legislative Council urged a state-level recognition as appropriate public acknowledgement. Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Lonnie Wong (testimony provided) said a proclamation should be issued annually and described the state’s active list of missing service members.

Representative Satrim moved the committee recommendation and Representative Steiner seconded; the committee adopted the do-pass recommendation on a roll-call 12–0–2 and forwarded the bill for further consideration.","The Government and Veterans Affairs committee voted to recommend that North Dakota designate an annual Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Day as an unpaid state holiday requiring a gubernatorial proclamation; veterans and advocates urged passage.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lawmakers hear emotional testimony for missing Indigenous persons task force bill

Committee backs burial medallion for National Guard and reserve members; bill cleared from committee

Lawmakers debate bill to allow caucus leaders access to members' bill drafts to improve session efficiency

House panel hears bill to clarify use of raffle proceeds by local political committees

Committee approves recognition of POW/MIA Day as a state proclamation holiday