[{"_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",6325119,"mediaKeyId","2334592-fbb6293f34d060efcfba4900a780b21a","parentId",2334592,"title","Votes at a glance: key Senate actions Feb. 18, 2025","audioSeconds",1084,"startMs",3052000,"endMs",4136000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2334592-fbb6293f34d060efcfba4900a780b21a&start=3052&end=4136","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2334592-fbb6293f34d060efcfba4900a780b21a/thumbnail_3052000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6325119/North-Dakota/Votes-at-a-glance-key-Senate-actions-Feb-18-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325119-4665d04e1cce167b98def11f9982d208/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173891&Signature=Du0oWJPd~17NNGuyTpRy6nlRjdJs9kwlkoIq4RGY-P-jaQ8kI4r5GG6LGWhOV-ljEWjtKeyOQtRKda1rewrzg81PG2vhh8a5S6cRxQ7HZyMUDVALTtZwdNF3ZEUsCINpbahzBH6im9aeVLfji29g~wjUJO~a60KUhD86prdmCzGPutCYLslI5ecpAZyzk6eW1HbClhcQ5NOcYSZ7k0RzWwC990zHMfXJd0qK0hVmu-5-IdYlL34ZYY9aWj-DE~JVa0ehR6RooOVgrDp9Bbr3Q6fN6Ms2Kr3VO5g0GKvnhXKDgyhV07MdWIJyma5Ed6qg24AdJkliFU-~GpqLXZ5LHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota State Legislature","date","2025-02-18T00:00:00Z","article","The North Dakota Senate recorded several final votes and floor actions on Feb. 18. Below are key outcomes from the session.

- Senate Bill 21-56 (campaign disclosure statements, create chapter 16.1-8.2 and amend Century Code): Final tally 45 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent not voting. Result: Passed.

- Senate Bill 23-23 (energy impact grant fund, gross production tax distribution changes): Final tally 45 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent not voting. Result: Passed (fiscal note: $40,000,000 impact).

- Senate Bill 23-82 (vexatious litigation chapter): Final tally 45 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent not voting. Result: Passed.

- Senate Bill 22-16 (waterfowl habitat stamp fees and Waterfowl Habitat Improvement Fund): Final tally 39 ayes, 6 nays, 2 absent not voting. Result: Passed (estimated $400,000 per biennium).

- Senate Bill 23-28 (Life Science Research Council and bioscience grant program): Final tally 21 ayes, 24 nays, 2 absent not voting. Result: Failed.

- Senate Bill 22-96 (recognition/authorization for emergency-services communications and support): Final tally 45 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent not voting. Result: Passed.

- Senate Bill 20-96 (regional acute psychiatric treatment and supportive housing appropriation): Amended on floor (reduced appropriation); final tally on amended bill 35 ayes, 8 nays, 4 absent not voting. Result: Passed as amended.

- Engrossed Senate Bill 20-25 (Department of Veterans Affairs appropriation): Final tally 42 ayes, 0 nays, 4 absent not voting. Result: Passed.

Other actions of note: the Senate adopted numerous proposed amendments on a range of bills on the sixth order (e.g., changes to public comment rules, township zoning, legislative branch funding footnotes, campaign finance system updates). Several amendments were adopted by voice vote or unanimous consent prior to final passage votes.

These entries reflect roll-call tallies and actions as recorded on the Senate floor transcript for Feb. 18.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","69th Legislative Assembly - Senate Floor Session Tuesday, Feb 18, 2025 12:55 PM - 3:05 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of final roll-call outcomes and major floor actions taken by the North Dakota Senate on Feb. 18, including bills that passed, failed and key amendment results.","taxTitle","Senate, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28311,"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},6325124,"Senate approves reduced appropriation for regional psychiatric treatment programs after amendment",568,6970000,7538000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2334592-fbb6293f34d060efcfba4900a780b21a&start=6970&end=7538","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2334592-fbb6293f34d060efcfba4900a780b21a/thumbnail_6970000.jpg","/articles/6325124/North-Dakota/Senate-approves-reduced-appropriation-for-regional-psychiatric-treatment-programs-after-amendment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325124-36c80098c247ca9419ea112de41cfd7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173891&Signature=FSTCFVKgBKz4Eio~zCxhCnwrag~68QDMdZT6atZz0KAhAgCOZr0EKG1TZDvTJ8QzGKungZHUh580~BFhqfgvu5KU9Le3UyITNZRJorBHaD8PrjhgD3wd9rI93OIzgTUlSKftzRd2lLLxShFNEdu~oxv0KB6Yg5Lzi1csklgBGvJfbMEVzFOWeyA12kW9WapzzxdHndwTOrbXh4nshkDJxZ0IQH6E~U0wN~gXPTdJQvc4MHsIogIgMFkcY23ZNCMLq2nFGAmCZCqsnECKdTPAdYmQaR2B~nwLeeRhIBUJmu6PPEfe4lVMZPWs5N8HCWp4ysksh3QJhF5NXABOzBXu3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Dakota Senate on Feb. 18 approved Senate Bill 20-96, a measure to provide grants and appropriations for regional acute psychiatric treatment and supportive housing, after adopting a floor amendment that reduced the original appropriation amount.

Senator Mather (bill sponsor) described the bill as supporting regionalization of psychiatric care across four quadrants of the state, noting the measure provides grant flexibility for operations or facilities and includes conditions such as a 10-year requirement for grant recipients. The bill originally included a $64 million appropriation; Senator Davison offered an amendment to reduce the initial amount to $16 million (the amendment passed 38 ayes, 5 nays, 4 absent). After further discussion, the Senate passed the amended bill by roll call: 35 ayes, 8 nays and 4 absent not voting.

Why it matters: Supporters characterized the bill as part of a broader strategy to expand access to behavioral-health treatment in communities and to keep treatment close to patients’ homes; supporters cited recommendations from the Council of State Governments. Opponents urged caution about committing large sums without project plans and stressed the need for coordinated community assessments and planning.

Formal actions: Verification roll-call on the Davison amendment recorded 38 ayes, 5 nays, 4 absent; final passage of Senate Bill 20-96 as amended recorded 35 ayes, 8 nays and 4 absent not voting. The bill now moves forward in the legislative process with the reduced appropriation and grant framework.","The Senate passed Senate Bill 20-96 to support regional psychiatric treatment after adopting an amendment that reduced the initial appropriation; final tally on the amended bill was 35–8–4.",{"_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},6325129,"Senate rejects bioscience research grant bill after floor amendment and heated debate",1845,5026000,6871000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2334592-fbb6293f34d060efcfba4900a780b21a&start=5026&end=6871","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2334592-fbb6293f34d060efcfba4900a780b21a/thumbnail_5026000.jpg","/articles/6325129/North-Dakota/Senate-rejects-bioscience-research-grant-bill-after-floor-amendment-and-heated-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325129-aaec8f43740fc03116dfa1ea4430a9fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173891&Signature=T~QJ8M3oG-rmvTqz1PmHW~OHr6RTFvJ84Gr5yYl72VeaZsrJFYsgBTfUZpFBZ4IDU-WsyA6osj0LrZOYDTDya9Szc6TUcY1K3BU~K9-ri0nCEqPL1KzS3ozwuWqwelAkuhHfXbkXwqahIq0-75AZjAtrO7KvwHYTl0NIRgtitBFP228wcYq0uWXsKOzYpfC2QD8dXAbUOQfV8GhaL6bWy1sZ4fMW0-1melINaZdf421kW1KdtUT7XuRotZS-MqI2GAb7QvSQjeq4qjVmcyuFXIh78alrW--bZsv~85vcAmVH88TWgLAUhlMfaUaU38Al4GyW930hOiDUXqR3llOiCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Dakota Senate debated and ultimately rejected Senate Bill 23-28 on Feb. 18, a measure that would have created a Life Science Research Council and reauthorized the bioscience innovation grant program with a $9 million appropriation. A floor amendment requiring additional reporting and transparency passed first by a roll-call vote of 42 ayes, 3 nays and 2 absent, but the bill failed final passage 21 ayes, 24 nays and 2 absent.

Senator Axman, the bill sponsor, described the measure as establishing a Life Science Research Council and moving oversight to the Industrial Commission, saying the program has helped grow the bioscience sector. Senator Cleary offered a floor amendment (passed 42–3–2) that added reporting requirements for grant recipients so future legislators would have more data about outcomes and the use of funds.

Opponents pressed concerns about state dollars going to out-of-state companies. ‘‘We were seeing companies like out of Delray Beach, Florida getting $240,000’’ and other out-of-state recipients, Senator Grama said during floor debate, arguing for caution about using taxpayer funds to subsidize private businesses. Senator Bridal and others also urged skepticism about state incentives for private industry.

Proponents argued the program seeded business relocations and job growth. ‘‘This is seed money, hopefully, that will entice and incentivize and then hopefully result in a huge return on investment,’’ Senator Wojcick said, citing local job growth, conversion of companies to North Dakota locations, and sector employment statistics supplied to the committee.

Despite the amendment and supporters’ arguments, the Senate rejected SB 23-28 by roll call: 21 ayes, 24 nays, 2 absent not voting. The bill’s defeat means the proposed transfer of oversight and the listed appropriation did not advance.

Formal actions: The floor amendment (Cleary) passed 42–3–2 on a verification vote; the final passage vote on SB 23-28 failed 21–24–2.","After a floor amendment requiring greater reporting passed, the North Dakota Senate rejected Senate Bill 23-28, a proposal to create a Life Science Research Council and bioscience grants, with final tally 21–24–2 on Feb. 18.",{"_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},6325133,"Senate advises and consents to Donald Campbell for State Board of Higher Education, 46–0–1",140,1709000,1849000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2334592-fbb6293f34d060efcfba4900a780b21a&start=1709&end=1849","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2334592-fbb6293f34d060efcfba4900a780b21a/thumbnail_1709000.jpg","/articles/6325133/North-Dakota/Senate-advises-and-consents-to-Donald-Campbell-for-State-Board-of-Higher-Education-4601","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325133-7f883b504df35793e638483f2213bd37/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173891&Signature=IUuvg4HKtuSZJOxyDzxylDlVhhaVKFgLr7cgb7z6~swpI4aJixyRAvP1U9pA105dG0-rdz3UzJa-LWsMbecSurPTUZToKPMTA3X081eWUhHMnFpSq3N4zdPNokoZvgSdp9cLBKZ0grReahGy9EFTdtxDtLC3hwXHKV3bzUp3lbzRDPFGdgUVhvM0Rf0s2LZmEpVbSeD-A72O82zlkeLj6pf50t7cSqaY-LKZaxwHV347RCzIYXuPnnQDj6RQpEe-ydU0UltVMu-mEGaxcAo2B4TdC2dQ3US7viRU9m6oqdoB8KYnll0WEhgdnL68uXaBwVrXFNWygf6risefjuQSdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Dakota Senate on Feb. 18 advised and consented to the nomination of Donald Campbell to the State Board of Higher Education, the chamber’s secretary announced after a roll-call vote that recorded 46 ayes, 0 nays and one absent not voting.

Senator Paulson, chair of the confirmation committee, reported the committee’s recommendation and Senator Cleary spoke in support, highlighting Campbell’s workforce-development and human-resources experience and his service on multiple state advisory boards. Cleary noted Campbell’s HR background will be valuable as the board hires several senior executives.

The Senate then voted on the nomination by roll call. The secretary of the Senate recorded a final tally of 46 ayes, 0 nays, 1 absent not voting; the chamber ‘‘advises and consents’’ to Campbell’s appointment.

Why it matters: The State Board of Higher Education oversees public colleges and universities; Cleary and the confirmation committee emphasized Campbell’s workforce and HR experience as qualifications for the board at a time when the system expects to hire multiple key executives.

Formal action: The Senate’s confirmation session formally advised and consented to Donald Campbell’s nomination; the motion to dissolve the confirmation session subsequently passed.","The North Dakota Senate unanimously advised and consented to the nomination of Donald Campbell to the State Board of Higher Education on Feb. 18, recording 46 ayes, 0 nays and 1 absent not voting.",{"_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},6325138,"Congresswoman Julie Fedorchek urges North Dakota to lead on energy, fiscal restraint and AI needs",1015,611000,1626000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2334592-fbb6293f34d060efcfba4900a780b21a&start=611&end=1626","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2334592-fbb6293f34d060efcfba4900a780b21a/thumbnail_611000.jpg","/articles/6325138/North-Dakota/Congresswoman-Julie-Fedorchek-urges-North-Dakota-to-lead-on-energy-fiscal-restraint-and-AI-needs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6325138-6c960ea3ee2ea3c4201e60a0b6552bab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771173891&Signature=jod01m4dfzBmk99XyC7f8F-dFziGQUmW~rPRJlPnZ0SXxqUc1Nw-5kvLLdjCeqId4FbIDZh5raxH1pc5VoY-i1sF~6flf7-KDMAmPwR~geKLjG~WLMiwW8LkiGN-JqmGvIsB83afLyPwUPb9l44oPrpCl28W~LcsGJcxye1xC7uiiIV8WhzE4Tr85l1GjnuUW-qa3ubIvICrDOm1zTKjVsiH72dm7rn5qu4wUKIPd0dJgMBNrprHM4o5t8z1mPpBttv1ynCvn7otaVqWmcYP3Oef4MrHgssLLl-NRXrLNxYY9fo5zDoh3EDMJKYtm-7geFBnM0ta3lMVgcqa~6n8Yw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Congresswoman Julie Fedorchek addressed the North Dakota Senate in Bismarck on Feb. 18, urging lawmakers to back policies that promote state energy development, reduce federal regulatory burdens and restore fiscal responsibility in Washington.

Fedorchek told senators that ‘‘Energy security is national security’’ and said North Dakota should ‘‘lead these efforts’’ to harness local fuels and power new industries, including artificial intelligence computing. She described opportunities to convert flared gas in the Bakken into electricity for data centers sited near production and called for expedited permitting, investment in carbon capture and development of critical minerals.

Why it matters: Fedorchek framed energy policy as both an economic and national-security priority and explicitly linked federal policy choices to local industries and jobs. Her remarks recommended state-level action to make North Dakota an attractive site for energy and technology investment.

Fedorchek said Washington must also address federal debt and government spending, arguing for reducing waste instead of raising taxes. She highlighted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and warned its scheduled expiration would raise taxes unless Congress acts. ‘‘We have renewed energy and urgency behind efforts to modernize our government, eliminate waste and abuse, and restore fiscal responsibility,’’ she said.

The congresswoman described her federal priorities as encouraging domestic energy production, streamlining permitting, and promoting a business climate that retains and attracts high-skilled jobs. She noted that North Dakota has strengths across oil, gas, coal and wind that the state can use to support high‑energy industries.

Closing: Fedorchek thanked senators for their service and said she will ‘‘never stop fighting for North Dakota,’’ ending her remarks with a prayerful benediction.

Formal action: Senate leaders moved and the chamber voted to print Fedorchek’s address in the Senate journal; the motion was agreed and the address was ordered printed.","Congresswoman Julie Fedorchek addressed the North Dakota Senate on Feb. 18, urging state lawmakers to promote energy development, reduce regulatory barriers and push fiscal restraint in Washington, linking abundant local energy to national competitiveness on artificial intelligence.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: key Senate actions Feb. 18, 2025

Senate approves reduced appropriation for regional psychiatric treatment programs after amendment

Senate rejects bioscience research grant bill after floor amendment and heated debate

Senate advises and consents to Donald Campbell for State Board of Higher Education, 46–0–1

Congresswoman Julie Fedorchek urges North Dakota to lead on energy, fiscal restraint and AI needs