[{"_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",6359925,"mediaKeyId","2175495-9901185b3765062cd796cf385158f66d","parentId",2175495,"title","Committee adopts amendments to Silver Alert bill to clarify 'endangered individual' standard","audioSeconds",550,"startMs",8729000,"endMs",9279000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175495-9901185b3765062cd796cf385158f66d&start=8729&end=9279","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175495-9901185b3765062cd796cf385158f66d/thumbnail_8729000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6359925/North-Dakota/Committee-adopts-amendments-to-Silver-Alert-bill-to-clarify-endangered-individual-standard","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359925-4fcc97c74ded00cffead1734366b949c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185822&Signature=ew86jAlcbViCEc3P3W1Xdk~~8P0z-ubDwAdog8Yp6to2rqxM-H1s6J-NXipLV254JC8Xs9GRw-K49BojrnzPs9daPHfOS9XDLq19G81D94-hu7fVtvd4Tk2ZsGp-m3g6Ur325CMr5EM-JHDNMFseHlPejWxQvkVMqBHNb9xec2fKBmL7cR3BXJ-PTWzxmWX7BrGzvu4g7N0dV4PVWHQrvOvBSWiquZp~Oc2-w97Nz0WaEU9TZRfRVKeA3XAge9csZYSh~829rz9JKgVMFkXwFxGW9erpDwmllCcuYzbQ74NWD0YKkLDQxQWgnIHq9Ay3PvmvcRTRv2JArGVMtlUXvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate State and Local Government, ND","date","2025-01-30T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate State and Local Government Committee on Monday adopted a package of amendments to Senate Bill 2098 that clarify the state's Silver Alert law and streamline the language used to trigger and issue an alert for missing vulnerable adults.

Committee discussion centered on replacing the older phrasing with a clearer \"endangered individual\" standard, moving the Silver Alert definition to the definitions section so it can be used elsewhere in statute, and removing redundant duration and public-danger phrasing. The amended language focuses on whether an individual is believed to be in \"grave danger of serious bodily harm or death\" and clarifies which law-enforcement bodies (county law enforcement, Highway Patrol or BCI) would determine whether an alert is necessary.

Senator Lee moved to adopt the combined amendment package for Senate Bill 2098; the motion was seconded by Senator Wallin. The committee recorded a 6-0 vote to adopt the amendments and then voted 6-0 to give the bill a due-pass-as-amended recommendation. Senator Varnell volunteered to carry the bill.

Committee discussion noted the practical purpose of the changes: to improve clarity for law enforcement and media in issuing Silver Alerts, and to add flexibility for notice by website when applicable. The committee also accepted combined drafting from BCI and Department of Human Services staff that was circulated in committee prior to the vote.

Clerks will produce the final amendment text for printing and distribution to lawmakers ahead of subsequent work.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate State and Local Government Jan 30, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee unanimously adopted amendments to Senate Bill 2098 to move the Silver Alert definition earlier in the statute, change language to 'endangered individual' and refine notice and duration language; the amended bill received a 6-0 do-pass recommendation and a committee member agreed to carry it.","taxTitle","State and Local Government, Senate, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28908,"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},6359929,"Bill to recognize 911 telecommunicators as first responders sparks legal and drafting questions",1765,6884000,8649000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175495-9901185b3765062cd796cf385158f66d&start=6884&end=8649","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175495-9901185b3765062cd796cf385158f66d/thumbnail_6884000.jpg","/articles/6359929/North-Dakota/Bill-to-recognize-911-telecommunicators-as-first-responders-sparks-legal-and-drafting-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359929-298bf5fc9e25d3d481dc330e7fe3713e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185822&Signature=DqukLVRixjRw6KlKf1omaykNQITFA4sbBrOcXSleEUNAq3fPAqwrbIkGq77F~eI9UYfQT5aWFoS3KtWzau5CLwHyLr7HPNgdQormbVOBnMORgBdirscoOmu6EmJAPpHfijSkiT3JS~e-6QH50DEwjMpGRJFOWBu7XPtHnmCr~pyepvUTetgqp1uvupj9CLWzlrnK1hXlzbu7H0vVck8Ht94SoKxIuQBVDB7S8TsvIo8Yp6-QW3N2nC33gIQkVEDIo8JnvaqHC-jQWt9qzSn-sknFdfY5IiZuE5XnVGUJ1DzHlL8kLYYeyuaHm9FnqvkL0~6o9haKSUFZRUvOUgW~XQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 2296, which would define \"first responders\" in Century Code to include public safety telecommunicators (commonly called 911 operators), prompted supportive testimony from dispatch directors and questions from senators about legal consequences and where a statutory definition should reside.

Senator Wallen, sponsor of the bill, said telecommunicators are \"the first of the first responders\" and that the work they do — dispatching responders, giving life-saving instructions and coordinating scenes — exposes them to trauma similar to field responders. \"They experience emotional and mental strain very similar to those that are actually in the field and should enjoy the same recognition as a vital cog in that process,\" Wallen said.

Sarah Miller, public safety telecommunications director for Barnes County and president of the North Dakota 911 Association, told the committee public safety telecommunicators make life-saving decisions and deserve access to the same training, support and resources as police, firefighters and EMS. She asked the committee to delete a clause in the bill that could give the Department of Health and Human Services regulatory authority over communications protocols for EMS, saying that existing Century Code already covers such communications.

Committee members expressed broad sympathy for dispatchers' work but raised drafting concerns. Chair Rohrs and others said adding a statutory definition without an immediate, concrete use could unintentionally subject multiple responder groups to new regulatory regimes. Senator Lee and others suggested the committee may be \"cart before the horse\" if it creates a definition without a clear statutory consequence or without coordinating parallel bills that address benefits or retirement inclusion.

Online and in-person testimony from Grand Forks Dispatch Director Shannon LeHayes and others noted that roughly 20 states recognize dispatchers as first responders in some form and urged North Dakota to consider the step as part of longer-term reforms to training, certification and retirement.

Committee members asked the 911 association to gather examples from other states and work with senators who plan companion bills. No committee vote was recorded on SB 2296 in the transcript; lawmakers signaled willingness to continue work and coordinate drafting to avoid unintended regulatory consequences.","Senate Bill 2296 would add public safety telecommunicators (911 dispatchers) to the statutory definition of first responders. Supporters said recognition is needed for parity in benefits and mental-health supports; lawmakers sought edits to avoid unintended regulatory consequences and recommended further research and interims.",{"_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},6359934,"Bill to update state auditor authorities advances after debate on subpoena power and audit fees",2352,3675000,6027000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175495-9901185b3765062cd796cf385158f66d&start=3675&end=6027","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175495-9901185b3765062cd796cf385158f66d/thumbnail_3675000.jpg","/articles/6359934/North-Dakota/Bill-to-update-state-auditor-authorities-advances-after-debate-on-subpoena-power-and-audit-fees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359934-da6c4e183664c64bae04262046b54fbc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185822&Signature=fatK52ibvX3bOzVMTnu4MQWlCJWwl3ewjglqeXzd~ZuMZTZJeTT0bXa-32kC7lV7nzpkPq-awMbwDkq3aB3mOqrA2cdQcJ-fN~fgtm7vkMxkJivT6u2whcfT3agSWbmBSoE7M5T4mSvpKsJsYk18LhbII0MK1UasLRlug3ps4XN22eJ8BRnGLJ5elMty4am95-K30d2GHveiDyXrGE8MOU5aHaxH0YRw-0~I-uAadxTvRr1DFwFwDkQzcyywghnVd1~yk~fmWmA5KJQ4Sl32e0wvIZftk6B49JG3ugeUqwv~aALD08yle6jBk0FqnNBPcnOabeTDYy10vYiTGZ9UzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A package of changes to state auditing law drew extended testimony and questions at the State and Local Government Committee Monday as lawmakers weighed whether to give the state auditor broader subpoena authority and to change how audit costs are billed.

Senator Sean Cleary, sponsor of Senate Bill 2251, told the committee the bill makes five main changes: it would eliminate the auditor's authority to bill state agencies for special-fund audits; codify current practice to allow federal Single Audit costs to be paid from federal program funds; reduce retainage paid to auditors for local-government audits from 20% to 5% (a number committee members said could be adjusted); grant subpoena authority to the state auditor to compel records from non-government entities that receive public funds; and raise the threshold for required audits for occupational and professional boards from $200,000 to $2,000,000.

Dan Cox, director of audit services for the State Auditor's Office, said the billing change would extend the same benefit the university system already received to all state agencies and that the federal single-audit provision simply formalizes an existing practice. He said federal single-audit billing collected about $1.25 million last biennium and that state-agency audit billing had fallen to about $340,000 in the 2023-25 biennium as exemptions were added.

The proposal to reduce local-government retainage was presented as a response to requests from private-sector auditors who said a 20 percent holdback can create cash-flow problems while auditors await final approval of reports. Cox said the 5 percent figure was chosen as a practical compromise, but the office is open to alternate percentages if the committee prefers.

The most contested provision was a targeted subpoena authority for the auditor's office to obtain records from non-government entities that use public funds. Auditor Josh Galyon said the change would align North Dakota with about 37 other states and could have aided past audits, citing a prior pharmacy benefits management audit in which private entities declined to provide records. \"We were never able to proceed,\" he said.

Committee members raised privacy and scope questions. Senator Lee said she was \"a little anxious\" about the subpoena power and emphasized that statutory penalties for refusing to cooperate (such as removal from office for public officials) would not apply to private entities; the sponsor and auditors said subpoenas would be used sparingly and that legal counsel (the attorney general's office) would be involved when necessary.

Several stakeholders, including the North Dakota Soybean Growers Association and the insurance commissioner, testified in support of removing the agency-audit billing requirement, saying it reduces an administrative loop that returns funds to the general fund. A filmmaker and members of the 911 community testified in related hearings that subpoena authority could be useful in specific cases involving grant or contract oversight.

No final committee vote on the bill was recorded in the transcript. Committee members asked auditors to provide more drafting detail, and the assistant attorney general said language could be added to require filing of amended home rule charters in a different bill; the auditor's office and sponsor left the committee with instructions to work with counsel on precise subpoena scope and retainage amount.

The debate highlighted tensions between transparency and privacy when audits touch private contractors and the trade-offs between audit oversight and the administrative cost of mandated audits for small entities.","Senate Bill 2251, proposed changes to state auditor law, drew committee debate over adding subpoena authority for audits of non-government entities and removing agency billing for audits; supporters said changes increase oversight and efficiency, opponents asked for guardrails and clarifications.",{"_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},6359939,"Committee approves bill letting cities, counties fix outdated home rule language by resolution",1360,1794000,3154000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175495-9901185b3765062cd796cf385158f66d&start=1794&end=3154","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175495-9901185b3765062cd796cf385158f66d/thumbnail_1794000.jpg","/articles/6359939/North-Dakota/Committee-approves-bill-letting-cities-counties-fix-outdated-home-rule-language-by-resolution","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359939-7e832c3fa68a7994caf1fbc25c466cb6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185822&Signature=H5KkUbP3Y5J5qR0uHdOz68UPW2B18RGSvVDDDqq2yN2WVDS38akDiTmKLYYMD0apOkmypbenzbOExCLcgPq2z5TQgeRn2LQvDEiC9Jbro0NqOvmT4N9WN7uaLJ6EukCKyza4FA1BZGzhemUnJ0N88T1~2Gq3FDnL8zyDhiF3T3P4-ZoqMQ7VJnLorKFFnUhQZU3gsx~mdZbNLgqTGmvTKxPqc05i69Q~vD0YJ9Nt~89ZRc3FkekE16eqx71HxCXKtSLEackMWKmKkUY4Pph39siOSUwxhRQrZmsiQC~RInZBePWnElsRi5IBgelp95h~Sr7fedmvDjS2NLT~DtbEmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate State and Local Government Committee on Monday adopted amendments and unanimously recommended Senate Bill 2324, a measure that would let counties—and, by amendment, cities—use a formal resolution to correct language in local home rule charters that has been superseded or rendered nonconforming by changes in state law or court rulings.

Senator Brad Beckettall, sponsor of the bill and a Williams County requestor, said the change would allow \"housekeeping language revisions\" to be fixed by the local governing board rather than requiring a public vote when the change merely brings charter language into conformity with current North Dakota Century Code. \"These are housekeeping language revisions to amend the nonconforming portions of their home rule charters,\" Beckettall said.

Stephanie Ingebretson, legislative counsel for the North Dakota League of Cities, testified in favor and said the amendment adds cities to the bill, clarifies that the change applies when a charter provision is preempted, superseded or invalidated by statute or court order, and requires public notice in the county's official newspaper or on its website. \"This is intended to be a tool . . . so that we can pass a resolution to amend that language without taking it to a vote,\" she said.

Williams County representative Lindsey Harriman described local experience trying to update charter language and said using a resolution for technical fixes would be more efficient. Alison Hicks, an assistant attorney general who handles political subdivision matters, asked that amended charters be filed with the Secretary of State; committee members accepted language adding filing requirements to the amendment.

The committee approved the draft amendment (labeled 1,001 in committee discussion) to add cities and to require that the amended charter be filed with the Secretary of State, on a motion by Senator Lee and a second by Senator Barta. The committee then voted 6-0 to give the bill a due-pass-as-amended recommendation. Senator Lee volunteered to carry the bill.

Committee testimony stressed limits in the bill: local bodies could not use the expedited procedure to add powers not in the original charter; any change that adds powers must still go to a public vote under the Century Code provisions the amendment preserves. The amendment requires the county or city to publish the resolution or post it on its website within 30 days to notify the public.

Supporters said the proposal is a targeted fix for clerical and statutory-conformity problems that arise when state law changes and leaves local charter text out of date; opponents were not recorded in committee testimony.","The committee unanimously adopted an amendment and gave Senate Bill 2324 a do-pass recommendation to allow counties and cities to resolve technical conflicts in home rule charters with statute or court decisions by passing a local resolution and filing it publicly, rather than asking voters to amend charters for housekeeping changes.",{"_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},6359944,"Panel backs amendment to let retired state workers keep pensions while appointed to unclassified posts",909,510000,1419000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175495-9901185b3765062cd796cf385158f66d&start=510&end=1419","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175495-9901185b3765062cd796cf385158f66d/thumbnail_510000.jpg","/articles/6359944/North-Dakota/Panel-backs-amendment-to-let-retired-state-workers-keep-pensions-while-appointed-to-unclassified-posts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359944-46adf3da4aa993e66bfaf062cf92452b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185822&Signature=fPiBHcKd4BRR8TUIICazd~JBQPfdzBGIekuN02ReSOHRaWZExbeoupEuvsui7fyiDgdrrquwc03rwNj8rbab2EOvfTE5~1rGRcfk6oE8vcHVJRM2Bopv8BCRndWhSpj8wHez~1g4YNs071zYZSuY6sfEQasaUci7OwHVybHlUCHfLTzXN1n2LPyFEq3CzshCwEKsZAUPTvv7dibHFUcMJR4B63cYHzt7QB-7Wtva2N6-g9gdnjmb0Wnz7IiUL7yZlkzrAFVCBkIaEcai2iaBJp0j8zBbGxPGQgZrBhk6R7n~E6Gk8KSOnMGIzOeZyaPZsLCjBZAbCqngms7lklRDig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate State and Local Government Committee on Monday voted to adopt an amendment to Senate Bill 2227 that would allow certain retired state employees to continue receiving retirement benefits while accepting appointment to unclassified positions without rejoining the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS).

Senator Brad Beckettall, sponsor of the bill, told the committee the measure was requested by Governor Armstrong to permit the administration to hire retired North Dakota employees without forcing them to suspend retirement pay or resume PERS contributions. \"Some of his senior cabinet officials under the current PERS system statutes would be unable to accept employment without compromising their current retirement pay situation,\" Beckettall said.

Rebecca Fricki, executive director of the North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System, testified in opposition to the bill as introduced, saying the original language created a plan-qualification problem with federal tax rules. Fricki said the issue was that, as drafted, retirees returning to work for the same employer would be given an irrevocable election to participate or waive participation, which could create an impermissible cash-or-deferred arrangement under Internal Revenue Service rules. \"Giving a retiree of the plan who has returned to eligible employment with the same employer the opportunity to either join or waive gives them a choice ... and that creates an impermissible cash or deferred arrangement with the IRS,\" Fricki said.

Beckettall and PERS staff said an amendment (identified in committee papers as the provisions responding to their federal tax advisor Ice Miller) would remove the elective choice and instead make the affected retirees ineligible to participate in the retirement plan while serving in the specified unclassified appointments. Fricki said that change would resolve the IRS concern and leave the PERS board neutral on the bill.

Chris Joseph, general counsel for the governor, told the committee the bill would \"allow the governor and other elected officials on the executive branch to hire the most experienced people in their fields and bring them back to service.\" Committee members questioned implementation details, including how many employees could be affected; Fricki said the population is expected to be narrow.

The committee unanimously adopted the amendment (referred to in committee testimony) on a motion by Senator Wallen, seconded by Senator Barta, and later voted 6-0 to give the bill a \"do pass as amended\" recommendation (motion by Senator Castaneda; second by Senator Lee). Senator Wallen volunteered to carry the bill.

The committee record shows the amendment was intended to remove the retiree's choice to participate, thereby addressing the IRS plan-qualification concerns while allowing retirees appointed to certain unclassified positions to continue receiving retirement benefits without making PERS contributions.

No actuarial estimate requiring a fiscal referral was reported; PERS noted it had commissioned actuarial and tax analyses and would testify further if the bill advances.

Committee action moves SB 2227 to the next step with the amendment in place; further legislative consideration will determine whether the change becomes law.","The Senate State and Local Government Committee voted 6-0 to adopt an amendment to Senate Bill 2227 to allow certain retirees to continue receiving Public Employees Retirement System benefits while serving in unclassified appointments, after clarifying federal tax and plan-qualification concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee adopts amendments to Silver Alert bill to clarify 'endangered individual' standard

Bill to recognize 911 telecommunicators as first responders sparks legal and drafting questions

Bill to update state auditor authorities advances after debate on subpoena power and audit fees

Committee approves bill letting cities, counties fix outdated home rule language by resolution

Panel backs amendment to let retired state workers keep pensions while appointed to unclassified posts