[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6359834,"mediaKeyId","2175621-9d8db37d311d2dd84f97ff29044d409e","parentId",2175621,"title","Lawmakers consider raising minimum sick-leave accrual for state employees","audioSeconds",383,"startMs",5591000,"endMs",5974000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175621-9d8db37d311d2dd84f97ff29044d409e&start=5591&end=5974","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175621-9d8db37d311d2dd84f97ff29044d409e/thumbnail_5591000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6359834/North-Dakota/Lawmakers-consider-raising-minimum-sick-leave-accrual-for-state-employees","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359834-5eef7f269130ed35bcc864ac611e027e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158084&Signature=b7EAXMIH5R73EHg4saB93jKAT6brkD9mh66ed7rUiTCV9ABTRsRo2j8y6Jwtel3ElLGh2h38qg-wuoQSXoxyVKgDDtMou6KtL2e65bijErazC6y8fIvR52xL77tXJCOvhKvnZJ3Qh5sfXvR7aPnmWWeJJ0wto8aWBWpk3Qj1QAGKbS4lSwzsZIl3bJNFpllfh-hIzPUJ~613q7GuPHqMgaPsHP0mqu1JP0J1~MvKVR0nKEHQLGwk2H6zuoGFh7RE8oFij8owdwQJUTLjicu~gjWO9YJ5WbRoYL83In09vIf6biogv31HDAh-mdASFc5h1EfrwvzX2cliV~9CuFnVvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Government and Veterans Affairs, ND","date","2025-01-30T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Matt Heilman introduced House Bill 1606, a bill to raise the minimum monthly sick-leave accrual for eligible state employees from 8 hours to 10 hours.

\"This bill would increase the minimum accrual rate of sick leave for eligible state employees from 8 hours per month to 10 hours per month,\" Representative Matt Heilman said. He noted the change would increase accrual by roughly 24 hours — three working days — in a year and said the bill was brought at the request of a constituent.

Nick Archuleta, president of North Dakota United, testified in favor, saying a modest increase could aid employee health, reduce spread of illness in workplaces and help recruitment and retention. \"The minor increase in the minimum sick leave accrual rate is a reasonable worthwhile investment in the long term health and productivity of our state employees,\" Archuleta said.

Committee members asked for fiscal analysis. Witnesses and members noted a fiscal note exists but that total long-term cost is uncertain because of payout rules: current statute provides a 10% payout of earned sick leave upon separation for employees with 10 or more years of service; agencies’ payroll practices vary. The committee closed the hearing and planned to request additional fiscal detail from human-resources or retirement-system staff before taking action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Government and Veterans Affairs Jan 30, 2025 II","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 1606 would increase minimum sick-leave accrual for eligible state employees from 8 hours per month to 10 hours per month, a change supporters say would improve recruitment and retention; the committee closed the hearing and requested fiscal clarity.","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},6359839,"Committee hears competing views after Fargo’s approval-voting charter triggers state ban proposal",2986,2576000,5562000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175621-9d8db37d311d2dd84f97ff29044d409e&start=2576&end=5562","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175621-9d8db37d311d2dd84f97ff29044d409e/thumbnail_2576000.jpg","/articles/6359839/North-Dakota/Committee-hears-competing-views-after-Fargos-approval-voting-charter-triggers-state-ban-proposal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359839-1de327c4a0708921b9fbf2a9dd9e0262/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158084&Signature=KbB0fv3exlak24ddWbdIa-1XHSOf9dFfx0K62eZnDsd7EU~Us2jXr-VfqbkrGRBU7dNuCYOvfv0b1klMzYa4GpiqrEZmacgjc7oWsFstbMQ1TySJIu99mCaqSRY7B1f~Ix9UI32hy7cevaj5eDl4BmvVSwRJulwDXUJFUs15ey~NP0GZCQIWk8rPMrnzsJtj4d9Soz4GFMOucIBJiO6jCuNwUenixBjL5FGQDLC-7rxmGH9wRRhoSnNSR48bFhyjUgrIebXSB29CtW10ghYgKeCxiSIW6cOGZKmkBJhqjW-cUqzr8B9d-wKLHaZ4YLSRYZvXVN3xWs5RCzlPhh-9DA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Ben Koppelman told the Government and Veterans Affairs Committee he introduced House Bill 1297 to preserve plurality voting statewide and to prevent political subdivisions from adopting ranked-choice or approval voting.

\"What I'm asking is that the committee please join me in respecting our right to a fair and equitable election by banning alternative systems that dilute the value of 1 man, 1 vote,\" Koppelman said, describing plurality voting as the traditional system used across most of the state.

Supporters of the bill included the secretary of state's office, represented by Eric White, state election director, who said uniform processes reduce complexity and protect public trust. White called ranked-choice voting a \"failed experiment\" in some jurisdictions and said the office favors uniform election systems across political subdivisions.

But multiple witnesses from Fargo and municipal organizations urged the committee not to overturn the city's home-rule charter choice. Fargo City Commissioner and deputy mayor Denise Kolpack said citizens studied election alternatives for 18 months, then approved approval voting on a general-election ballot with strong turnout and a 64% margin. \"The measure passed by 64% of those voting and has now been used in the last 3 city and mayoral elections,\" Kolpack said. The North Dakota League of Cities and the ACLU of North Dakota also urged the committee not to preempt local decisions.

Committee members questioned when and how alternative methods are used and whether they cause tabulation delays; the secretary of state's office said Fargo's approval voting is on the primary ballot for city offices and that the office had not seen significant delays in Fargo but prefers statewide uniformity. Opponents argued voters in Fargo intentionally sought a different method to address small plurality outcomes in crowded elections.

After extended testimony from city officials, statewide groups and advocates on both sides, the committee closed the hearing on House Bill 1297. No committee vote was recorded during the session.","House Bill 1297, which would prohibit ranked-choice and approval voting by political subdivisions and preempt home-rule adoption of those methods, drew large public turnout and split testimony from election officials, Fargo leaders and voting-rights advocates. The committee closed the hearing without immediate action.",{"_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},6359844,"Committee removes pregnancy language from shared-leave bill, advances measure",1263,1205000,2468000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175621-9d8db37d311d2dd84f97ff29044d409e&start=1205&end=2468","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175621-9d8db37d311d2dd84f97ff29044d409e/thumbnail_1205000.jpg","/articles/6359844/North-Dakota/Committee-removes-pregnancy-language-from-shared-leave-bill-advances-measure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359844-b02d6216445146b1182dfe0886ffc112/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158084&Signature=jfOXg5Yo2kB377FkAzM0xb1QkiwMVvJEMwTJuRAAp2btRp3qhZPNCirmtUQVSf1lpOQb-eXKWHBpdEPU2w1o-W6T0CFgIcAFK9E2h5xoGBWvk3FYcMk9zTyO8Su0kHKoYypbyvfEmmON7aqMBgummZDP6IRONh7DxTpFPloo35qSfPoBplF2WJwVbEwPGAvOcinCIV~qsA8lI47~cN2v1R~f8~cJaH-bM~PSo5JyGE3DVi~r4xyzsHuptnBzI-AAAm65rN65JXBMK4GbaluB631lDo4NND~NsysJdjRt4O5lOm7eYpmexeuhpJaMkLCXOA5nZw4CWWEODWTfKBz7fA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rep. Emily O’Brien introduced House Bill 1599 to the House Government and Veterans Affairs Committee as a cleanup to the state’s shared-leave statute.

\"It's a very simple cleanup bill,\" Representative Emily O’Brien said, explaining that earlier drafts had attempted to add pregnancy as a qualifying condition but staff advised removing language that singled out pregnancy. The committee reopened the bill so HRMS officials could clarify the change.

Molly Harrington, chief people officer and director of HRMS at the Office of Management and Budget, told the committee officials recommended striking the pregnancy language for two reasons: policy concerns about singling out one condition and possible complications with IRS treatment of donated leave. \"We do not believe it is good policy to single out 1 condition,\" Harrington said, and noted a second part of code would also need amendment for pregnancy to be included.

Nick Archuleta, president of North Dakota United, testified in favor of the original language and said the program is \"pro family, pro children, and pro community,\" arguing the change would allow pregnant employees to access donated leave without additional appropriations because leave is donated by other employees.

Committee members discussed statutory medical documentation requirements, and Lisonbee Hicks, general counsel for HRMS, explained the existing code requires specific provider documentation and that administrative rules implement shared leave policy. Representative Rohrer moved the amendment to remove \"pregnant or\" from the statutory language; Representative Christie seconded. The amendment carried by voice vote. The committee then moved a due-pass recommendation for House Bill 1599 as amended; the roll-call vote was recorded and the motion carried.","Lawmakers debated House Bill 1599, which sought to expand the state shared-leave program; committee members voted to remove language specifically calling out pregnancy after staff warned of statutory and IRS issues, then gave the amended bill a due-pass recommendation.",{"_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},6359849,"Committee hears bill to study state employee pay, forwards measure to study",6087,304000,6391000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2175621-9d8db37d311d2dd84f97ff29044d409e&start=304&end=6391","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2175621-9d8db37d311d2dd84f97ff29044d409e/thumbnail_304000.jpg","/articles/6359849/North-Dakota/Committee-hears-bill-to-study-state-employee-pay-forwards-measure-to-study","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359849-46eec78eb0b1d15f00389971411f572a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158084&Signature=YNwkWrJiWkZ46bbYJVSzjYka2HyCXP8CXDTZ0cYIE5k3h1Uc1Nz9z3Ow-nz0Jt7ULTycoA-5EhDYhI2wmr69CpYys5JSsjogiCp4rngAF4hBNOqA5z~nBrdTRO4YG0tfFfPvKfEVysKnN9oJedz7qeacgBDLyZ6reoaQc6P986Xkhjo9cvHqCGh4YkTwLnhIgt~Totn12SAyVS6mcvlZ06mifonlJD6-qJyZD-RsTPnXZJ4XgHcXT79719DqVUynngcaLmYWS2vOBR-buHUyU1LPEmHKGXUG1QC1b9l42dFYzTa0VYmh0liwVYw~WKC8sLw~GmVNf5LhLI5gAlozxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Government and Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Timothy Schauer opened a hearing on House Bill 1580, a bill to create a legislative management study of state employee compensation levels.

Representative Steve Vetter, the bill sponsor, told the committee the study would examine state pay levels and their history, compare state wages with private-sector wages, evaluate use of equity funding and bonuses to retain employees, and consider prevailing-wage rules and wages paid when awarding state contracts. \"Future legislative bodies would benefit and would be able to make more informed decisions with accurate and up to date information on state wages,\" Vetter said.

The bill drew support from Thomas Beadle, North Dakota state treasurer, who described agency-level and board-level compensation analyses already under way and urged a centralized study to get information to legislators. \"Plenty of agencies are already working on that,\" Beadle said, and added that a study would likely require funding for an outside consultant if done thoroughly.

Committee members pressed on feasibility and cost. Representative Karen Karls recalled a previous consultant study and warned about the expense; others noted that some agency HR data are already available and could be gathered for legislators without duplicative contracts. The committee also discussed whether the study should be mandatory versus permissive; members moved an amendment to replace the word \"shall\" with \"may\" to give the interim committee scheduling flexibility.

After amendment and discussion, the committee voted to give House Bill 1580 a due-pass recommendation as amended. The committee vote was recorded as passing 8–4.","A bill to create a legislative management study of state employee compensation — including pay history, private-sector comparisons, bonuses, prevailing wage and contract wage considerations — received testimony Thursday and was moved out of committee as amended.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lawmakers consider raising minimum sick-leave accrual for state employees

Committee hears competing views after Fargo’s approval-voting charter triggers state ban proposal

Committee removes pregnancy language from shared-leave bill, advances measure

Committee hears bill to study state employee pay, forwards measure to study