[{"_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",6346476,"mediaKeyId","2246729-452d17ca410a5379e6e1d1af02a17d5a","parentId",2246729,"title","Committee recommends due pass for bill removing mandatory exit signaling for roundabouts","audioSeconds",1216,"startMs",9790000,"endMs",11006000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2246729-452d17ca410a5379e6e1d1af02a17d5a&start=9790&end=11006","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2246729-452d17ca410a5379e6e1d1af02a17d5a/thumbnail_9790000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6346476/North-Dakota/Committee-recommends-due-pass-for-bill-removing-mandatory-exit-signaling-for-roundabouts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346476-6ce0be93e5784e81b3af5763312092da/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198344&Signature=KNJJ9XDsxGNYSrv9pdLuiyVWsO5sc0N0IeyO8zMHIgMrlx9TRPUsXORg6SzmNRsHXG40n7DQ3op8yE2eeyn~kgnVuY7XWEaPJUeQ1fr3dWr1uiZi6W4APWpR9uejL7kpHYFhBwFdpFr9wIpuCqnaI5cTSdwxTV4GABr~gfkZiTIrmVvEx2Us5NWYd8FM6pRVr84z7gPEXPeIN0W36NiF0iLuXdSWNiV1t7kfHulExWnIXfn7jEwrmW3VEkWeV8ThYWuFVNbl-BvsXKzKouDQjsRUi302W5ozq0Fclq1yvbto3C6NhLPjDGTH1RE6XCH-QXzS1vjqA5JixkD~xiDzmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Transportation, ND","date","2025-02-06T00:00:00Z","article","BISMARCK — The House Transportation Committee recommended a due pass for House Bill 1518, which would remove the statutory requirement that drivers signal when exiting a roundabout (statute uses the term \"rotary traffic island\").

Sponsor Representative Lori Beth Hager, R‑Fargo, told the committee the requirement to signal on exits was recently added to statute and has frustrated many drivers because the short distance between exits makes it difficult to signal reliably. \"Does the driver in the roundabout circle have the ability and the time to properly signal in the short distance between the exits?\" Hager asked the committee.

Supporters from local government said roundabouts improve traffic flow and safety and that mandatory exit signaling is not practically enforced. Former Horace mayor Corey Peterson said his town's roundabouts have improved safety near schools and that deputies \"do not care about those blinkers\" in routine enforcement. One motorcyclist, Kevin Herman of Beulah, testified in opposition and said he relies on turn signals to anticipate exits and would prefer the requirement remain.

Committee members discussed enforceability, what signage would be required, and whether the statutory phrase \"rotary traffic island\" should be updated to the more commonly used term \"roundabout.\" Representative Casper moved to pass the bill and Representative Christensen moved a due‑pass recommendation; the committee recorded a due‑pass recommendation by roll call.

The committee recommended the bill advance; the clerk recorded the motion as carried (14 yes). Representative Casper agreed to carry the bill to the floor.

Sources: Testimony at the House Transportation Committee hearing and roll‑call record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Transportation- 9:03 a.m._Feb 6, 2025\t","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 1518 would remove the statutory requirement to use a turn signal when exiting a roundabout (termed \"rotary traffic island\" in statute). Sponsor and local officials argued signaling is impractical in small roundabouts; one motorcyclist opposed the change. The committee recommended a due pass.","taxTitle","Transportation, House of Representatives, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28897,"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},6346481,"Committee hears evidence on oral‑fluid roadside screening for drug‑impaired driving",1736,7484000,9220000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2246729-452d17ca410a5379e6e1d1af02a17d5a&start=7484&end=9220","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2246729-452d17ca410a5379e6e1d1af02a17d5a/thumbnail_7484000.jpg","/articles/6346481/North-Dakota/Committee-hears-evidence-on-oralfluid-roadside-screening-for-drugimpaired-driving","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346481-f3fceb324f9e8d06ef4dd10dcd36bb84/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198344&Signature=KTyRNbDMVtXpnBbrYlSfYPP1yKG~VanGe5xqGK6Y6eWImOifUe~3EAClNJEGgNwAROA-z~Ul4cv9ySWO2RM1WqEjMPUh1gCnTxea7MBHck5PYQYOjtitMrYVj9Zp3ed46Ydgm7uX7vAOps0yZIQKrDUPNXNW~8uqR9ag1nHTCfs32PhKRkUsgQp6jKSqt0MJYuio7XXgCVOm-e5Xza3ck0inVOzQAVYDyFDLd7QG2zB1xfAlqdGy33fKKN2lOydZZYNLIFx~2Ds3UNfIM5L-ay5dG5yb9jOj9MSuI19ZPJICzja0uiP1iBzUBr5~WhKs6BPAcCerxWJ5NLtGQq7vrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","BISMARCK — The House Transportation Committee heard technical testimony on House Bill 1370, a measure to recognize on‑site oral‑fluid screening tests during drug‑impaired driving investigations and to treat refusal of certain roadside chemical tests within the administrative framework applied to breath tests.

Representative Pat Heinrich, the bill sponsor, opened the hearing by saying the measure would allow law enforcement to use oral‑fluid swab devices as a validated screening tool for on‑the‑spot detection of drugs. Trooper Tarek Chase of the North Dakota Highway Patrol said the department had run a pilot of the Sotoxa oral‑fluid device from January 2022 to July 2023 and that the device is \"a viable and beneficial tool for law enforcement officers.\" Chase, who coordinates drug‑recognition programs for the patrol, told the committee the device provides results in about five minutes and that pilot data showed polysubstance use in more than half of samples submitted for confirmation testing.

State toxicologist Janelle Porcheller of the Office of Attorney General crime laboratory division presented the lab's evaluation of the pilot. Laboratory comparison of Zetoxa results against evidentiary blood specimens showed most test panels (cocaine, opiates, methamphetamine, cannabis, benzodiazepines, amphetamine) performed with sensitivity, specificity and accuracy generally above the 80 percent range for many panels; some panels (amphetamine, benzodiazepine) had lower performance for reasons the lab explained in its written evaluation. Porcheller emphasized the device is a screening tool and not an evidentiary confirmation; blood or urine evidentiary testing would still be required if an arrest occurs.

Trooper Chase and Porcheller both said the devices were purchased with federal grant funding and that current pilot protocols dispose of cartridges after use; the device stores only the printed or electronic result, not the oral‑fluid sample. Committee members asked whether oral‑fluid results would be used only to support impairment investigations or could trigger other criminal searches; witnesses said evidentiary testing is still the basis for criminal charges and that the roadside test is intended to provide probable cause consistent with standardized field sobriety tests.

No committee vote was taken during the hearing; committee members asked technical questions and indicated follow‑up with the Department of Justice and the state lab would continue.","Law enforcement and the state toxicology lab presented pilot results supporting use of oral‑fluid screening devices at roadside. The bill would recognize oral‑fluid tests and make refusal subject to administrative consequences similar to breath tests; no committee vote was taken during the hearing.",{"_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},6346486,"Committee removes city doubling of traffic fines and votes 'do not pass' on speed‑limit bill as amended",1222,1633000,2855000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2246729-452d17ca410a5379e6e1d1af02a17d5a&start=1633&end=2855","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2246729-452d17ca410a5379e6e1d1af02a17d5a/thumbnail_1633000.jpg","/articles/6346486/North-Dakota/Committee-removes-city-doubling-of-traffic-fines-and-votes-do-not-pass-on-speedlimit-bill-as-amended","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346486-1d66e7ba97daf5f6499580906ed50a93/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198344&Signature=m9L9JnwNNYqd65hrzbzNotKlOrtrNvdL0xg46E12ipeAy8dCg-sQ4lNCDX4SuywX0A0u9oaEJvy0LlSYIjtDSVsW1kmms0zTY9WWUg0RPM6Xmpk7hWqH4w5NCqWjYxcGDE3Ee9upBhgV1VsZ2kKuQI-OfUv1r6V26svYrBtEcMQgyPijK8ruJBP-z6Hil18x6U-rJvVLT0eIOoLqKuEL35E2Yy6vR6dINvjpgZa1XJECErKXr-xAhlLWFXyODDra-5hGe1dNzt2SjEUyqX-nk1c~U2tufiw6RVtV8-A0FdJhJY5PHGjV-RW095sm9u2GGMHAEfcdYt5YVjaiG38OQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","BISMARCK — The House Transportation Committee on Thursday debated a bill that would raise fines tied to speed‑zone brackets and add new higher penalties for excessive speeds. Committee members adopted an amendment to remove a separate statutory provision that had allowed cities to double traffic fines. After debate the committee voted to recommend a \"do not pass\" on the bill as amended.

Representative Mackey described House Bill 1366 as a proposal to increase fines for most speed zones below 65 mph — effectively raising state penalty rates and changing brackets for excessive speeds. A central policy question in the hearing was whether the statute that gives cities authority to double state traffic fines should remain; Mackey proposed an amendment to repeal that subsection, arguing cities would otherwise retain the ability to double again.

Representative Martin moved the amendment to repeal the subsection (40‑05‑06 subsection 2), which the committee adopted by voice vote after Representative Freilich seconded. Supporters of the change said the state should not allow a layered doubling by municipalities while opponents — including city representatives who had raised concerns — argued local control and revenue tools were important.

Later, Representative Johnson moved a do‑not‑pass recommendation on the amended bill; Representative Schatz seconded. Committee debate included concerns about increasing fines and the regressive impact on low‑income residents, questions about out‑of‑state drivers and points on licenses, and whether fines are the best deterrent compared with license points that affect insurance. After roll call the do‑not‑pass motion carried 6‑5‑3.

The committee therefore declined to advance the amended HB 1366. The committee recorded the amendment to repeal the cities' doubling authority as taken and recorded the do‑not‑pass vote as the committee's recommendation.

Sources: Committee hearing and roll calls recorded in the Transportation Committee transcript.","Representative Mackey's bill to raise many speed‑zone fines and alter fines for high‑speed violations was amended today to repeal a statute permitting cities to double certain traffic fines. After debate, the committee voted 'do not pass' on the amended bill (6‑5‑3).",{"_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},6346490,"Committee backs bill to raise felony class for DUI causing serious bodily injury",1409,3791000,5200000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2246729-452d17ca410a5379e6e1d1af02a17d5a&start=3791&end=5200","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2246729-452d17ca410a5379e6e1d1af02a17d5a/thumbnail_3791000.jpg","/articles/6346490/North-Dakota/Committee-backs-bill-to-raise-felony-class-for-DUI-causing-serious-bodily-injury","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346490-b4fec639ef4dc7750b40b87ac105c1f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198344&Signature=CKOBhjizOBe2NXvkHar131BSZq91dOFOEGU1Epd1C0X9izP4AEtlwyZLPFLJjlIkTyY0dBPsAuHbcM9n0ml0co6-~j2D2fciF72WPSpxH4pB~We1OBnlvhCxzhHy~25sOdq2ubrGc2kAfejvqjmiNJKH401QRELYiQlYhlM-WLMEjZJj4DU2SkNgqsxVkBexKZBKKMcooP4lLTbWqJ28OViOWI~mffFYQGZrKFFMBVxaI4-6~mC9uhdGoEmfByxOBMpkZF2WhT6MdQPcGeHD-H9TrBxL0deGiIzVc4fFUOkrGSzUOYeZNkb~8wT32pIlvdeFlsET4nfxzc21-grE6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","BISMARCK — The House Transportation Committee voted to recommend House Bill 1503, which would raise the felony classification for driving under the influence that causes serious bodily injury, increasing the maximum sentence available to judges.

Representative Macy Balinski, R‑Minot, the bill sponsor, said the change would allow a judge to sentence up to 10 years where the current maximum is five. \"If an individual is left disabled from a DUI accident, that perpetrator can only be sentenced to 5 years and is oftentimes sentenced to even less,\" Balinski told the committee. The bill also adds one day to a one‑year minimum to align with Century Code phrasing for class B felonies.

Family members who testified described long‑term impacts. Brianna Weeks, testifying as the mother of a severely injured victim, described operations, months of inpatient rehabilitation and ongoing therapies after a head‑on collision. \"This was a choice,\" Weeks said. \"Under North Dakota's current law, the individual responsible for this tragedy faced a maximum sentence of just 5 years.\" Taylor Christiansen, who identified herself as Miss North Dakota's Teen, also testified in support; both urged the committee to recommend a due pass.

Committee members asked whether the bill was aimed at first offenses that result in bodily injury; Balinski and witnesses said the bill targets cases where the DUI produced serious, lasting harm and would prevent such offenses from being reduced to misdemeanors.

Representative Johnston moved a due‑pass recommendation, seconded by Representative Freilich. The committee recommended the bill advance; the clerk recorded the motion as carried with 13 yes votes and one member absent.

The bill will proceed to the House calendar for further consideration.","House Bill 1503 would permit judges to sentence up to 10 years for DUI that causes serious bodily injury by elevating the offense class. Witnesses described severe, long‑term injuries in advocacy testimony; the committee voted to advance the bill.",{"_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},6346495,"Committee backs bill to set minimum sentences for DUI cases with minors in vehicle",1029,393000,1422000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2246729-452d17ca410a5379e6e1d1af02a17d5a&start=393&end=1422","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2246729-452d17ca410a5379e6e1d1af02a17d5a/thumbnail_393000.jpg","/articles/6346495/North-Dakota/Committee-backs-bill-to-set-minimum-sentences-for-DUI-cases-with-minors-in-vehicle","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346495-3cafcfa0a4392d0c6409b12ed9d9d77e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198344&Signature=fPtwjyiK21nWr8t33ghc0nmjNEXGLZAfEX--j7x2xcyRieIYUVlsV0XwVAJllzg2WJDBsrZPOvT4g6SelLryst3h8g8vKXaRD2z7VF99EsOPL-ROzj2I7wG4AB3gZ7UwKmptv~ybS72CuJ9z-RpCNQtdQuudZDzVAiPEUH6hSxw7lE2qTI8QiFKuWJ-VZRo6yzDO2OWfeeJj-OCSeerJd1~orx7-2hUULkpeZ-Y9i6VIoa0KTagbxXLoaxySpS3d1aOlkjjwU9-Vx8ZSKeq2MVfjUrzV25zMioO9vb8fr~2P39CJab8rYCgdiH0kJEDO5629bY9sAy5WqwL08SHU1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","BISMARCK — The House Transportation Committee on Thursday recommended a due pass for House Bill 1206, which clarifies mandatory minimum sentences when a person is convicted of driving under the influence while a minor is in the vehicle.

Supporters said the bill closes a loophole that has allowed some aggravated DUI charges to be treated as misdemeanors. Representative Scott Lauser, R‑Minot, told the committee the language matches what the committee approved previously and that courts had interpreted existing language in ways that reduced expected felony sentences.

\"When the DUI is aggravated, which is a minor in the vehicle, what the minimum sentence must be\" is made explicit in the bill, Lauser said. He described factual circumstances that prompted the bill—an example where an individual with a reported blood alcohol content of 0.36 was arrested with a 6‑year‑old and an unrestrained 9‑month‑old in the vehicle.

Aaron Burst of the Association of Counties testified in support and reviewed how the bill aligns with existing DUI law. \"If you are driving DUI, you are over the age of 21 and there is a minor in the vehicle, that is an enhanced crime in North Dakota,\" Burst said, and the bill \"clarifies what the minimum mandatories would be.\" He explained the bill specifies jail minimums and elevates repeat aggravating conduct to a higher felony level under existing code references.

Committee members asked whether the age threshold in current statutory policy — 21 and older — was a compromise. Burst said the 21‑and‑older threshold was a prior compromise intended to avoid capturing some younger adults in particular circumstances; he also noted that the 1‑year‑and‑1‑day minimum moves some offenders to state penitentiary terms and prevents felony dispositions from being reduced to misdemeanor status.

The committee voted to recommend the bill. The clerk recorded a 9‑3 vote in favor, with two members absent. The motion for a due pass was made by Representative Greenheck and seconded by Representative Martin, and committee members who voted yes included Chairman Dan Ruby, Vice Chair Greenheck, Representatives Freilich, Hendricks, Johnston, Mackey, Morton, Osowski and Schatz. Representatives Christiansen, Dressler and Finley DeVille voted no.

The bill will proceed to the House for further consideration.

Sources: Testimony and exchanges on the House Transportation Committee record; bill text referenced section 39‑08‑01.","The House Transportation Committee recommended a \"due pass\" for House Bill 1206, which clarifies mandatory minimum sentences when a person drives under the influence with a minor in the vehicle. Supporters said the change fixes a sentencing interpretation that reduced some felony cases to misdemeanor punishment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee recommends due pass for bill removing mandatory exit signaling for roundabouts

Committee hears evidence on oral‑fluid roadside screening for drug‑impaired driving

Committee removes city doubling of traffic fines and votes 'do not pass' on speed‑limit bill as amended

Committee backs bill to raise felony class for DUI causing serious bodily injury

Committee backs bill to set minimum sentences for DUI cases with minors in vehicle