[{"_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",6326855,"mediaKeyId","2323626-682f826a20b25264abc9d704193e0213","parentId",2323626,"title","Committee hears proposal to amend state constitution on judicial immunity, appointments and review","audioSeconds",2435,"startMs",7598000,"endMs",10033000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2323626-682f826a20b25264abc9d704193e0213&start=7598&end=10033","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2323626-682f826a20b25264abc9d704193e0213/thumbnail_7598000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6326855/North-Dakota/Committee-hears-proposal-to-amend-state-constitution-on-judicial-immunity-appointments-and-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326855-8ed67b90d64f27ebbd1c14cc0335795f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163996&Signature=nNAv80FksLV8btrSb3ZDOmzOek28sqxhBxxMvrDtJi8LkhOR1szu1B5-bsc19~5Vdai~WvLlSypmxCDxheC63DyWAXBUu6n2d8JUcG34SZeFfGc3ffsIhTpZ1DV2KhSDZDDleV9H8TrEqqCKo3FP4C1-ofur77JVKMOmOEipDgu1cj6F92Onocl4hGiBOUgl9~xEgtqFheApsUDKOn14kNuMshpO-ryoAYdWKSV-LLZqSugImGFCS2W4Vu2b-7XGYFy0XGnOnC2dbmKJDfXOaoxd6z7IO42SkPLab0V-p-dfLJL12CSAxWWEJ2lS6K46ZrGLJn4DqC-I6SzzViqjiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota State Legislature","date","2025-02-17T00:00:00Z","article","Bismarck — The House Judiciary Committee took testimony Thursday on House Concurrent Resolution 3021, which would amend parts of the North Dakota Constitution relating to the judiciary. Sponsor Representative Laurie Van Winkle said the measure would remove civil and criminal judicial immunity for decisions alleged to violate due process or state and federal law, declare judgments in violation void, and change how judicial vacancies are filled by a bipartisan appointment process.

Van Winkle argued recent court decisions show a need for greater accountability and for tools to correct judicial decisions that she described as \"legislating from the bench.\" \"We need to recognize if there is an abuse of power,\" she told the committee, urging remedies that would allow citizens greater access to redress judicial misconduct and unconstitutional rulings.

Opponents urged caution. Chris Joseph, legal counsel to the governor, said much of the relief the resolution seeks already exists in statute and through appeals, sovereign-immunity waivers and existing code provisions for suing the state where an employee acts beyond official capacity. Kara Erickson, disciplinary counsel, explained the Judicial Conduct Commission's structure and disciplinary processes for judges; Tony Wyler of the State Bar described the current judicial nominating committee (established under North Dakota Century Code chapter 27-25) and said the nomination process is already bipartisan and deliberative.

Committee members asked technical questions about immunity, impeachment and how the Judicial Conduct Commission handles complaints; witnesses and the sponsor exchanged differing views about whether the existing system provides sufficient remedies and whether changes would produce unintended consequences, such as a flood of personal lawsuits against judges. No committee vote was held and the hearing record closed for additional written testimony.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Judiciary Mon, Feb 17, 2025 9:00 AM-12:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Laurie Van Winkle presented HCR 3021 proposing removal of judicial immunity in civil and criminal cases for certain acts and directing vacancies to be filled by a bipartisan appointment committee; opponents including the governor’s legal counsel and the State Bar raised procedural and practical objections.","taxTitle","Judiciary, House of Representatives, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28895,"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},6326860,"Committee hears resolution urging U.S. Supreme Court to restore marriage definition to man-woman union",3017,3948000,6965000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2323626-682f826a20b25264abc9d704193e0213&start=3948&end=6965","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2323626-682f826a20b25264abc9d704193e0213/thumbnail_3948000.jpg","/articles/6326860/North-Dakota/Committee-hears-resolution-urging-US-Supreme-Court-to-restore-marriage-definition-to-man-woman-union","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326860-77349efe9937d253689ef9f137a903db/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163996&Signature=dYVc-YreSxmUpNkLT3GZ0RzlUhPEzn-9E6ty5kXl1hHv7-mWwwkDfsE8dcGV8xR6Vfr35Lzvl6mEz9lPP8~SAFaIggVZcUeuf1Qhxvs2iXf7BBhQ6eMaXZR~W9eDD-c2IK~Kw9KucNI~Cl~BFFF7Zd7PEgBuugScU4J6tOGuRvd2dVSxj0lkcw1LFZRWoK~vGZWoQt-u~TPKo1YfwC2pNsBo6GFk9JnzG1urTdRhiWaMYYwIovlP-vlTEPHHJEaeXkz8AFTWHmZ9e5rvAfMBcIEofgIIMbCStAKZAk3VtPMwCKd0R7wQyORNc314~XPFOAPk4JX~UtHn0JQlX64LHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bismarck — The House Judiciary Committee heard extensive testimony Thursday on House Concurrent Resolution 3013, which urges the United States Supreme Court to \"restore the definition of marriage to a union between one man and one woman.\" Supporters framed the resolution as a defense of traditional marriage and religious liberty; opponents said it would harm same-sex couples and risk removing rights recognized by the courts.

Representative Bill Twight (District 33, Hazen) sponsored the resolution and described historical, religious and common-law foundations for marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Twight asked the committee for a \"do pass\" recommendation and said Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) improperly created a constitutional right to same-sex marriage.

Witnesses in support included Arthur Schomper, field director for Mass Resistance; David Tamasia of the North Dakota Catholic Conference; Mark Grama of the North Dakota Family Alliance Legislative Action; Karen Krenz (Williston); and others. Their testimony argued the Supreme Court overreached in Obergefell, implicated religious-liberty concerns, and urged North Dakota citizens and lawmakers to register opposition to the decision.

Opposition witnesses included Christina Sambor of the North Dakota Human Rights Coalition, who asked the committee to recommend a do-not-pass. Sambor said legal recognition of same-sex marriage is a constitutional right that confers tangible legal protections — for taxes, inheritance, medical decisions and other legal benefits — and warned that the resolution would be harmful and discriminatory.

A small number of people provided brief remarks during the large hearing — both in support and opposition — and the committee did not vote on the resolution at the conclusion of testimony. Committee leadership said they would balance time for additional testimony; dozens of written testimonies had been submitted on both sides.","Supporters of HCR 3013 told the House Judiciary Committee that Obergefell v. Hodges was wrongly decided and asked legislators to urge the U.S. Supreme Court to restore a traditional definition of marriage; opponents, including civil-rights groups, said the resolution would roll back rights and recommended a do-not-pass.",{"_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},6326864,"Lawmakers hear resolution to study human-trafficking victim services and reentry programs",2416,2318000,4734000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2323626-682f826a20b25264abc9d704193e0213&start=2318&end=4734","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2323626-682f826a20b25264abc9d704193e0213/thumbnail_2318000.jpg","/articles/6326864/North-Dakota/Lawmakers-hear-resolution-to-study-human-trafficking-victim-services-and-reentry-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326864-257bf0b09d7f72cd89d0098610a1f310/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163996&Signature=WUkmVpmzKco21ho2-SDuai86BM6xnv3XSMjFPUhh7y4rZGmuLt8H0PPweaffP23KrwFP1x9DVH8-mk602WZ6~CWxO6yYFe4ZLLRlvcdsU3L-XrI8YT-FwM7fobY~VHSWVSnniDwqI9dNKm0NVVFaOTnx2qd7SwFWexjeT4htaspV~z3yMzKyk-5tV6JBb8htyNdvHfWdQJIHYtBmf~tIUmL5URUzjO2I-xk0~zRN8JapWgZQtsLy3OMvyO6DoMpH6qapUAbiEpNbo~W3wZS6c5sMWh5RtHKCALyUins0JIGdzjCVs6PkPGPNc35fcndSw2tOHj0dXJ48XqIvgqjLng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bismarck — The House Judiciary Committee heard testimony Thursday on House Concurrent Resolution 3028, which would direct legislative management to study human-trafficking victim services and reentry programs and report findings to legislators for possible future legislation.

Representative Steve Vetter, sponsor of HCR 3028, told the committee the study would focus on two main objectives: compiling up-to-date information about services for trafficking victims and concentrating on workforce reentry and protective measures that help victims avoid being re-trafficked. \"How can the state help victims of this terrible crime? The main purpose ... is for reentry and protection from the bad guys,\" Vetter said.

Multiple organizations testified in support. Jacob Thompson, a policy analyst for the North Dakota Family Alliance Legislative Action, and David Tamasia of the North Dakota Catholic Conference urged lawmakers to approve the study, stressing the severe mental-health consequences for victims and the importance of data to guide policy. Stacy Schaffer of 31A Project described that organization's demand-reduction program, survivor mentorship and statewide trainings, and provided program metrics: 31A has delivered trainings to hundreds of professionals and supported dozens of survivors through mentor services, reporting 62 trafficking survivors served in 2024 and growing year-over-year participation.

Advocates and service providers told the committee that human trafficking is often hidden and data are incomplete, complicating legislative and program responses. Schaffer said many survivors need long-term, wraparound services; 31A Project and other providers said funding and staffing shortages limit service capacity.

A survivor who identified herself as Leah Isaac offered detailed testimony about her experience being trafficked, the gaps she encountered while seeking help across several states, and the barriers survivors face in accessing stable housing, identity documents and long-term mental-health care. Isaac described a multi-year period of homelessness and repeated encounters with service systems that she said sometimes exposed survivors to further harm. She urged lawmakers to include people with lived experience in designing programs and to prioritize stabilized housing, anonymity protections, transportation, and long-term mental-health and legal supports.

Committee members asked how the proposed study would differ from past interim studies; Vetter said his proposal emphasizes workforce reentry and survivor protection rather than primarily focusing on enforcement and prosecution. The committee did not take a final vote on the resolution during the hearing.","Representative Steve Vetter asked the Judiciary Committee to direct legislative management to study services and reentry supports for human-trafficking victims; advocates, service providers and a survivor described gaps in data, protection and long-term supports.",{"_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},6326869,"House Judiciary Committee hears bill to reclassify low-level marijuana possession as noncriminal citation",1584,730000,2314000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2323626-682f826a20b25264abc9d704193e0213&start=730&end=2314","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2323626-682f826a20b25264abc9d704193e0213/thumbnail_730000.jpg","/articles/6326869/North-Dakota/House-Judiciary-Committee-hears-bill-to-reclassify-low-level-marijuana-possession-as-noncriminal-citation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6326869-131144b686569198ba983a29c7f4d28a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163996&Signature=ipNTAsSgKnQbZZKZgs43PZebIAVH6kljryGrMxXRWtZHn4TzuMBG0qq0TVauxVJ1v1~B3z~8oj0IacaTec51EVpB-cRQi9uc0vgH9pWWCz4ZbcCoa-dGjMyn7ozLMDKyQHf22juOWj~QfwMLda7ZoXNh3uV0eFaD8R0o8Tx6neM335EgR-9pmpjLvsG-jsfqmD4ZSLkf-4Q9Sz~xvFuMiaXz7543csiJkVx4dJSSYb6LOA-FvvRhR0zVazcQYufDiV5s2btHito4~TwUC~ZNU2Zr6g~JxCvDeDEyQ1DtaF2O-wRRr1jxmaDr2mu~f4KW8fuyEGPwX5azlqs4ghFtMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bismarck — The House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on House Bill 1596 Thursday, advancing debate on a proposal to make the lowest-level marijuana and THC possession offenses noncriminal citations and to lower the adult age for certain ingestion infractions from 21 to 18. Representative Liz Conmey, bill sponsor, told the committee the measure responds to recommendations from state's attorneys and law-enforcement officials across North Dakota who say courts and prosecutors are overwhelmed by cases involving small amounts of marijuana.

Conmey said the bill changes possession thresholds so that the smallest possession ranges (for example, less than half an ounce of marijuana and less than 2 grams of THC) would be treated as noncriminal citations payable by fine, and that juvenile infractions would remain within juvenile court jurisdiction. \"HB 15 96 is the result of suggestions from state's attorneys in Cass County, Stark County ... regarding the congestion in our state's attorneys' offices, our judicial services, and also the overwhelming demands on law enforcement professionals when it comes to dealing with small amounts of marijuana,\" Representative Conmey said.

The bill keeps higher possession levels as misdemeanors and leaves the Class A misdemeanor thresholds unchanged. It also creates an adjudication process for citations patterned on traffic violations, with a statutory fee of $150, an option to post bond and request a hearing, and an avenue to seal certain records after two years if no new convictions occur.

Supporters told the committee the bill would reduce court appearances, public-defender appointments and hearings for very low-level cases. Jonathan Byers, representing the North Dakota State's Attorneys Association, urged amending the bill language to set the fine at a fixed $150 (removing the phrase \"up to $150\") so judges would have a clear statutory fee rather than variable amounts. Travis Fink, executive director of the North Dakota Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigence, said his agency supports the effort to reduce indigent-defense caseloads and cited prior examples where moving offenses to noncriminal citations reduced court processing and public-defender appointments.

Opponents included Stephanie Ingebretsen of the Chiefs of Police Association of North Dakota, who said changing the lowest-level offense to a noncriminal citation risks undermining deterrence. \"There is a concern that someone continually, repeatedly does this conduct, and if they can afford to pay $150 they'll just continue to take the penalty when they get caught,\" Ingebretsen said, noting current infraction-level penalties can be up to $1,000 and that repeated infractions can escalate to misdemeanors under present law.

Committee members asked about how repeat offenses are handled; Conmey said the bill includes provisions to escalate penalties on subsequent offenses. Representatives also discussed amendments the sponsor said had been drafted by Legislative Council and would be circulated to the committee before action. The committee did not take a final vote on HB 1596 at the hearing and left open the possibility of amendments and a committee action later in the week.","A bill sponsored by Representative Liz Conmey would lower some possession thresholds and create a traffic-like citation process for the smallest amounts of marijuana and THC, seeking to reduce court and prosecutor workload; law-enforcement and public-safety groups told the committee they have concerns about deterrence and repeat offenders.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears proposal to amend state constitution on judicial immunity, appointments and review

Committee hears resolution urging U.S. Supreme Court to restore marriage definition to man-woman union

Lawmakers hear resolution to study human-trafficking victim services and reentry programs

House Judiciary Committee hears bill to reclassify low-level marijuana possession as noncriminal citation