[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6343397,"mediaKeyId","2252374-8e2a75a42323734ab56e9bb9298fe64f","parentId",2252374,"title","Senate committee hears months of testimony on bill to create Theodore Roosevelt National Park wild-horse working group","audioSeconds",2948,"startMs",314000,"endMs",3262000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2252374-8e2a75a42323734ab56e9bb9298fe64f&start=314&end=3262","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2252374-8e2a75a42323734ab56e9bb9298fe64f/thumbnail_314000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6343397/North-Dakota/Senate-committee-hears-months-of-testimony-on-bill-to-create-Theodore-Roosevelt-National-Park-wild-horse-working-group","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6343397-cd8e9b19674b5843be257893b55c08dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151443&Signature=bI76A-Z2rvWP4H6HNK9-AFa8LGjfTBfrgXLkuLApAaz~8vbmVXR~ChVJ8yZHuMYXACAD~xpR-dVtFJnDQPCeuqApAQQJHB~jcMEXdecdFFR7uUQSEfDlI6twGYZUyszIszvRezkPP2gxtJ4jutFPjfTCmKgflfn7bDYeYvr0dD0Ce0cmnJ8ZaifYEzbOOXFVOtYN4lV9PtOs6G3bUgqd0iNoc6jbT0S9A8u72K8-2LLGZpewVqIfJ6HH85z3sDvMxwgOgLg~Dd2KaouOLc8bhPyw4r2d7kvH29C8H6AodwqbODUDqHf1o0weiEiMrvIAUgN3GobVK6tyTGEWJ9VbUg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate State and Local Government ","date","2025-02-07T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate State and Local Government Committee on Thursday heard more than two hours of testimony on Senate Bill 2331, a proposal to create a North Dakota working group to consult with Theodore Roosevelt National Park on management of its wild-horse herd.

Sponsor State Senator Josh Bauscher, the bill’s primary sponsor, told the committee that “Senate Bill 23 31 is the result of work of many people throughout the state,” and said the group is intended to give the state a formal entity to consult with the park and federal representatives before certain actions regarding the herd. Bauscher said the measure is intended to preserve the horses “for generations to come.”

Proponents — including Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates and representatives of Colorado’s Wild Horse Working Group — described long-term state involvement and urged the committee to advance the bill. Christine Kammann, co-founder and president of Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates, said the park has previously offered to transfer the animals to state control and that the park has a “clear history of trying to eliminate the wild horses,” testimony that proponents used to argue for state oversight and a companion federal resolution (SCR 4006) seeking federal protections.

Colorado lobbyist Sandra Hagen Solon, appearing virtually as a participant in the Colorado working group, described a Colorado model that includes on‑range fertility-control funding and off‑range adoption and care programs. Solon said Colorado’s approach included $1.5 million in state funding, with a portion used for fertility control and professionalizing volunteer efforts. Eric Mulvar, a wildlife biologist, urged the committee to include a “strong science component,” warning against long‑term sterility programs that could reduce genetic viability; he said published work suggests an effective breeding population target of roughly 100 breeders and estimated Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s herd size in the low 200s.

Committee members pressed sponsors on federal–state coordination and whether Department of the Interior or members of the congressional delegation support the bill. Bauscher said the working group would be advisory: “the language is about consultation,” and would not give the state authority to direct park operations but would create a formal entity for the park to consult. He and several witnesses said timing was important because former Governor Doug Burgum has been confirmed as U.S. secretary of the interior and Senator John Hoeven has shown interest in federal action that could give the working group more formal status.

Senators also debated the bill’s draft language and funding. Bauscher proposed two committee amendments: one to allow lethal or emergency actions where “the health or safety of a horse is compromised,” and a second to correct an appropriation figure (striking $50,000 and replacing it with $49,500 to reflect a drafting error). The committee adopted the amendment language unanimously before taking the committee’s final recommendation.

After debate over whether the state should move now or await progress on a federal resolution and the new Interior secretary’s role, the committee voted to recommend a do‑not‑pass on SB 2331 as amended. The roll call on that procedural recommendation recorded four senators voting to register a do‑not‑pass recommendation and two opposing; the committee assigned Senator Barta as the carrier if the bill proceeds further.

Supporters said the working group would provide the park with additional perspectives, resources and local knowledge; critics and some committee members urged more emphasis on scientific analysis and asked whether a state advisory body would change outcomes on federal land.

The committee also heard specific operational proposals during testimony: Colorado’s statute-designated working group funds fertility-control programs, supports trained volunteers and leverages USDA partnerships; witnesses recommended including veterinarians, state agency staff, tribal representatives and subject‑matter experts on genetics and population dynamics.

The bill’s hearing closed after testimony from advocates, scientists and local residents; no final floor action by the full Senate was recorded during the committee session.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service were cited repeatedly in testimony; the committee and witnesses noted that any binding changes on park management would require federal action or cooperation.

The committee’s do‑not‑pass recommendation does not prevent the sponsor from bringing the bill to the floor or seeking other legislative vehicles; supporters pointed to an accompanying Senate concurrent resolution urging federal protection as the parallel path to secure the horses’ status.

Questions remain about the bill’s effect on park authority and whether a state advisory group will change federal management decisions. Proponents emphasized oversight, tourism value and cultural ties; scientists urged monitoring for inbreeding and careful selection of fertility‑control methods.

The committee tabled further action on the bill after the vote and signaled additional work on language and board composition could continue in subsequent sessions or appropriations discussions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate State and Local Government Feb 7, 2025\t","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate State and Local Government Committee on Thursday heard more than two hours of testimony on Senate Bill 2331, a proposal to create a North Dakota working group to consult with Theodore Roosevelt National Park on management of its wild‑horse herd.","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},6343393,"Committee hears proposal to use Legacy Fund earnings for $25M emergency‑services grant program",2761,3688000,6449000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2252374-8e2a75a42323734ab56e9bb9298fe64f&start=3688&end=6449","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2252374-8e2a75a42323734ab56e9bb9298fe64f/thumbnail_3688000.jpg","/articles/6343393/North-Dakota/Committee-hears-proposal-to-use-Legacy-Fund-earnings-for-25M-emergencyservices-grant-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6343393-85c6c7df0b43491794e22ee2a03d71e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151443&Signature=dtUOrJjYlLA4hWZSOlKGFTzhcTDdGP69KuOtZfBZpjSuKwKDyvfBKTGrV3DT71U9bPz1A5SgrTiLh~ADkeFb9AoRuSWRyC3~Pf3~-J-ePI1Qc-zVjT4uoewok565cvQ11pG2LSW5mMqIQXBl2CJqRNPGxWO7XZ4lsropkBJWqwd2mjIPDZ5EDpYeflN8GJooTm~4a5uO~pgZKqhMWujKTGo2F3DZySzHTZqNNXrFXIrwxtESHOVgaxCWN3owt4ovE4AcZ-~JvBE68C2B4XLvvXK96beFWqxrtVWpWGewMhuEwPkongKNs-SRGMucTi-R7FudZrC8duDvDRA~H0ZPdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 2332, a proposal to create a Legacy Fund earnings‑backed emergency services and public safety fund, drew broad support from county and city officials, emergency responders and 9‑1‑1 coordinators during a State and Local Government Committee hearing.

Sponsor State Senator Josh Bauscher described the bill as a response to rural ambulance closures, aging volunteer bases and equipment shortfalls. “Our first responders, firefighters, paramedics, and law enforcement are the backbone of our communities,” Bauscher said in opening remarks, urging a dedicated funding stream to strengthen staffing, equipment and response capability.

The bill would create the Legacy Earnings Emergency Services and Public Safety Fund and an advisory board composed of statewide associations representing law enforcement, fire safety, EMS, emergency management and other stakeholders. Bauscher proposed directing $25 million from legacy fund earnings to seed the program and described potential priorities: recruiting and retaining responders, expanding rural emergency coverage, modernizing technology, supporting mental‑health response teams and encouraging interjurisdictional collaboration.

Representatives from the North Dakota EMS Association, League of Cities, Association of Counties, search‑and‑rescue organizations, and the North Dakota 9‑1‑1 Association testified in favor. Bill Kalanick of the North Dakota EMS Association said the group “welcome[s] the opportunity to serve on this committee,” and Matt Gardner of the League of Cities warned that property‑tax caps and existing budgetary pressures make state grants an important tool for local public safety needs.

Testimony included operational details and examples of local shortfalls: Danelle Presky of the Association of Counties said 21% of county property tax dollars support public safety; Sarah Miller, Barnes County 9‑1‑1 coordinator and president of the state 9‑1‑1 association, described rural response times of 40 minutes or more in parts of her county and noted the role of dispatchers as interim first responders in some incidents. Travis Bateman, representing Badlands Search and Rescue, described volunteer teams that lack stable funding for training, equipment and mission costs and said the bill would create a reliable funding source currently unavailable to nonprofit search‑and‑rescue groups.

Committee members questioned board size, membership and funding mechanics. Several senators expressed concern that a board with many members could be unwieldy and suggested a smaller core of voting members with additional nonvoting or ex‑officio advisors. Senator Bauscher said he intended to work with other legislative committees and stakeholders, including Appropriations, to refine board composition and statutory language and added members for search‑and‑rescue organizations and the statewide 9‑1‑1 association to the proposed list.

Witnesses and committee members also discussed how the proposed $25 million interacts with existing grant streams and the Strategic Investment and Improvement Fund (SIF). Supporters warned that grant substitution is a common risk and urged the committee to preserve or increase overall support for EMS and rural public safety rather than simply reallocating existing dollars.

No final committee vote on SB 2332 was recorded in the hearing; the committee closed testimony and assigned a carrier to move the bill forward for consideration. Sponsors indicated they would coordinate with Appropriations and other stakeholders to arrive at board makeup and funding mechanics before final action.

If enacted, the fund would be housed at the Department of Emergency Services and governed by an advisory board tasked with vetting grant applicants and setting program priorities. Testimony emphasized that many volunteer and nonprofit response organizations currently have no stable government funding and that a dedicated state program could support training, equipment, recruitment and interjurisdictional cooperation.

Committee members asked for additional data and follow‑up on response‑time studies from Department of Health and Human Services material cited in witnesses’ testimony to inform appropriation and program design.

The hearing closed with committee leaders asking legislative staff to coordinate next steps with Appropriations to resolve question of money flows, board size and statutory priorities.","Senate Bill 2332 would seed a new state emergency‑services and public‑safety grant fund with $25 million from Legacy Fund earnings to help rural ambulance services, volunteer fire departments, search‑and‑rescue teams and 9‑1‑1 systems.",{"_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},6343388,"Bill to allow compensation for rural ambulance district board members gets brief hearing",765,6487000,7252000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2252374-8e2a75a42323734ab56e9bb9298fe64f&start=6487&end=7252","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2252374-8e2a75a42323734ab56e9bb9298fe64f/thumbnail_6487000.jpg","/articles/6343388/North-Dakota/Bill-to-allow-compensation-for-rural-ambulance-district-board-members-gets-brief-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6343388-365909dafb0a0c08a3a7b882ea218435/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151443&Signature=hSb8LcAOE9t4-UJNNC7VZljRIa2iVhi7ElVL9-wGhurrRzoK07jt8MZ2ut~IT3NsQY1uXkb0zkiCvIeChy8-Lm-RbBGLkbM--UHv3hnVAlTYlvgP49WZ~JEQW9~0f4u9YG-J~c38AIjRTFY3w2CIn9mMbYYWOmOH3NI69hQWizZ7-xTS5peSF38MwzeTavV46sxv-BFuQzpwiZaeuKQsWYIvph3Zdwv0LwgB43qb1tyZfnKno-nkhBjSWbORVD~~V9WUvb1rHvl7WhJQRgAitQHQJHzF~pAjLFLH6KLBHWmS6wZ58aEw~wUo7~yBCxaqyIdinhN6UPYOPaNu0~5dUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 2358, a short measure to permit rural ambulance districts to provide compensation or expense reimbursement to elected board members, received a brief hearing before the State and Local Government Committee.

Bill Kolonik, representing the North Dakota EMS Association, said the change responds to difficulty recruiting volunteers to serve on newly authorized rural ambulance district boards and that the organization supports permitting locally formed districts to set compensation or expense reimbursement amounts. Kolonik said the bill intentionally leaves the amount unspecified so local districts can determine appropriate levels, and he suggested a legislative per‑diem comparable to other boards as one option.

Committee members raised practical questions about funding sources and whether stipends would divert money from operations. Kolonik told the committee that most ambulance districts have a local property‑tax base and that compensation or reimbursement would be funded locally, not from the state EMS grant program, which generally reimburses staffing and equipment.

Senators also discussed whether modest compensation could offset board members’ costs and help increase participation, and whether limits or a standard reimbursement policy should be included in statute. The witness and committee members were generally open to a modest, locally determined reimbursement to offset travel and time costs.

The hearing closed without a recorded committee vote on SB 2358 during the session captured in the transcript.","Senate Bill 2358 would authorize rural ambulance districts to reimburse board members for meeting attendance and related expenses. The committee heard brief testimony that paying or reimbursing board members could help districts recruit and retain volunteer trustees; proponents asked the committee to allow districts to set amounts locally.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate committee hears months of testimony on bill to create Theodore Roosevelt National Park wild-horse working group

Committee hears proposal to use Legacy Fund earnings for $25M emergency‑services grant program

Bill to allow compensation for rural ambulance district board members gets brief hearing