[{"_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",6119178,"mediaKeyId","2713882-ab9d1dc198c93c2c8853aa67657d6b07","parentId",2713882,"title","Sponsors pause House Bill 1555 after reviewers urge waiting for related measures; AG and Secretary of State propose technical edits","audioSeconds",563,"startMs",6687000,"endMs",7250000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2713882-ab9d1dc198c93c2c8853aa67657d6b07&start=6687&end=7250","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2713882-ab9d1dc198c93c2c8853aa67657d6b07/thumbnail_6687000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6119178/North-Dakota/Sponsors-pause-House-Bill-1555-after-reviewers-urge-waiting-for-related-measures-AG-and-Secretary-of-State-propose-technical-edits","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6119178-1ec3c0766fb76ff03768b9fdf77ea934/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159905&Signature=nb4C72sMF3JKSKvd-qZNhQHVx9E2k8u3Wx2sopPdJ4dFajA7GojFiFnrB8f8RUChZnQuKVCt6Y67x8sMKmWy3ZqzNoU-7FmHFORB8lsgiorw7CO255grNsxhMar3Fyb2bQhpkUBeYneNJXfJ8Zk11W~38akvdH565NhhYf2rQhA1pIgqbZdUbuBhGEXyYiuzpImRkw420N1ePASKLMwoqMX5oCTezCvV-6VJETzR7t6najL24wJLGOy4Zwjh~q-4o6vondq2s-WjaJN2v4J4Dp9IoOgMCgoHRAyFHr7X5u5i9J6PmM13k2Z7sp6p3J4Veh4ENd98Z0tcKTLaBhrGUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota State Legislature","date","2025-03-20T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Culberson and other sponsors asked the committee to hold action on House Bill 1555 after discussions with the Secretary of State’s office, the Attorney General’s office and other stakeholders identified overlap with existing code and a pending proposal (12‑09) that addresses related issues.

Representative Sue Ann Olsen (District 8) told the committee that parts of HB 1555 — particularly a proposed extension of a sunset date — would be redundant or counterproductive while a governor‑led study and related bills are moving forward. “Let’s let them do their work,” Olsen said, recommending sponsors defer action and return with a unified approach.

Nut graf: Committee review identified two issues: (1) sections of the bill mirror language already in the Century Code and a simple date change was requested elsewhere; and (2) proposed changes could conflict with federal statutes, creating a risk that the existing provisions attracted litigation. The attorney general offered two narrow technical amendments to make the bill workable if it proceeds, and the Secretary of State said it was neutral on allowing the measure to pause.

Legal and administrative fixes proposed

Lisonbee Hicks, assistant attorney general, recommended removing language that would route certain filings to the Attorney General’s Office because violations under the cited chapters are typically prosecuted by county state’s attorneys and administered by the Department of Agriculture. Hicks also suggested removing language that would require the attorney general to prosecute in the registered agent’s county; accepted practice is to prosecute in Burleigh County District Court to reduce travel and costs.

Sandy McMurdie, deputy secretary of state, said the office was neutral and comfortable with the AG’s proposed edits and said it was “very comfortable with it going to sleep.” The committee closed the hearing on HB 1555 and said it would consider options, including waiting to act until related bill 12‑09 is available for review.

Ending: The committee took no final action on HB 1555; sponsors indicated they would either kill the bill or return with a revised proposal aligned with related measures and the governor’s study.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate State and Local Government Thursday, Mar 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Sponsors of House Bill 1555 asked the committee to hold or kill the bill pending work on related measures and a governor‑led study; the attorney general and secretary of state offered neutral, technical amendments to align the bill with current practice.","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},6119184,"Committee hears bill to exempt township supervisors from formal notice for on‑site inspections; wording issues pause final action",610,3133000,3743000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2713882-ab9d1dc198c93c2c8853aa67657d6b07&start=3133&end=3743","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2713882-ab9d1dc198c93c2c8853aa67657d6b07/thumbnail_3133000.jpg","/articles/6119184/North-Dakota/Committee-hears-bill-to-exempt-township-supervisors-from-formal-notice-for-onsite-inspections-wording-issues-pause-final-action","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6119184-1d8e6bc12b15e7876bc615fec32ac3f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159905&Signature=GhPXmGdW61SB-Z4d8gFLQMasN3zajd3kXDBL9k2ETBZ1UQPjCA0Rt84lzaJwa~GHPdIloHjArY6DWu6DHQ-IiN69T3h3pZBvqEbJIp0D9IjYaCi4Cu8HaypJ0IdLa6ZagrdJszCtNK9Id3C0ZZNJs2mWPgaGqS4mHLff4r70GG7wY289xlTIPSQsScmshtrsWKtdCpYrzLw~J2RddwNMigD23KOAhbg2429iRoLEs-oamUZ6w3meXWKvGAfLgChQMqVMGmlNoQVTKOMvEpHhSW9UpM6Sy6OQ2VOiR4eLgI7Yo37ahd4JJtkNSk6mPe1BPiBNmPGfqP70rcQhkwVozA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Lawrence Clamine, sponsor of House Bill 1374, told the committee the bill would create a narrowly framed exception to open‑meeting rules to allow boards of township supervisors to conduct on‑site inspections of roads or other township issues without the requirement to post formal public notices and schedule a separate meeting. “The purpose of House Bill 13 74 is ... to allow a Board of Township Supervisors to meet as a group of 2 or more to conduct an on‑site inspection of a problem or issue in the township without violating the open meeting law,” Clamine said.

Larry Severson, representing the North Dakota Township Officers Association, described routine spring road surveys and said township boards currently risk open‑meeting complaints when two supervisors ride together to inspect roads. “It is very common each spring or early summer for township boards to go out and survey the roads for gravel and repair needs,” Severson said.

Nut graf: The bill aims to reduce procedural burdens on volunteer township officers who must inspect roads, culverts and signage but lack staffed engineering departments; it would limit the exemption to on‑site inspection activity and still require the board to make a “good faith effort” to notify any news medium that has requested notice.

Committee response and next steps

Senator Lee moved a do‑pass recommendation and Senator Wallen seconded. During discussion several senators said the bill’s draft language was unclear. One senator commented that the written text “doesn't sound like English” and requested rewording; Senator Castaneda volunteered to work with sponsors to refine the language. The committee paused the motion and agreed to stand at ease so sponsors and committee members could reconcile the draft language; no final committee vote on HB 1374 was recorded at the hearing’s close.

Ending: The committee left the record open for redrafting; members said they expected to reconvene on the motion after staff and sponsors revise the bill language.","House Bill 1374 would allow two or more township supervisors to conduct on‑site inspections without triggering full open‑meeting procedures, but committee members flagged confusing language and paused final action to permit rewording.",{"_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},6119189,"Committee advances bill to ease Public Service Commission open‑meeting notices for legislative and off‑site events",151,1228000,1379000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2713882-ab9d1dc198c93c2c8853aa67657d6b07&start=1228&end=1379","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2713882-ab9d1dc198c93c2c8853aa67657d6b07/thumbnail_1228000.jpg","/articles/6119189/North-Dakota/Committee-advances-bill-to-ease-Public-Service-Commission-openmeeting-notices-for-legislative-and-offsite-events","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6119189-ef263a31090c1f4636ef9b2335ee6cda/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159905&Signature=JTkx8x6uV3LkH5zCkxyNYoqmlsyQGiMOWIfsiZRe1A7YxHE~ssSLR5JqomwvYEubIRfQjqGYX0vVbK7AgJj54~owMjAjce~0L6IccRr~8bhvrcw68ifRkmrhB82IFf4eAT0-AjruMgZ0zvSuNVj2CVgMNnGkHUN-Jx4ZsUXMLJmb1hqMlwA~~q59SGMJlvFdHv~8SJf7RGEOZ6sIFJVg6ZNQ8sBzylUV566jUxIc9YGcCimhQTJGN8By7ohJDq~AUikRZdGd7CZQtugW4TEqGf6GdY-TLVppRDjcICclGjbcTjsTJRURgdo7EHA3lh2FAlKKu6OyTt8Z2xFjCzOK6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The State and Local Government Committee gave House Bill 1063 a do‑pass recommendation after adopting an emergency‑clause amendment and voting to advance the bill.

Sherry Haugen Hufford, a commissioner at the Public Service Commission, said the agency must follow open‑meeting rules whenever two commissioners are in the same location where public business is conducted, which has led to awkward compliance challenges when commissioners simply attend outside meetings. “These meetings are already publicly noticed, video recorded, and well documented, requiring additional notices and minute recordings ... It removes the obligation to post a physical notice at the venue,” Haugen Hufford told the committee.

Nut graf: The bill would retain online notice and filing requirements but remove the obligation to post a physical notice at third‑party venues (for example, federal buildings or hotels) and would exempt attendance at already‑noticed legislative committee hearings from triggering PSC posting obligations. Supporters argued the change reduces redundant administrative steps while preserving transparency through online notices and official minutes.

Committee action and votes

Senator Wallen moved and the committee seconded an emergency‑clause amendment; the clerk recorded the amendment vote as 5‑0‑1. Senator Barbaugh moved a do‑pass as amended; the committee recorded the final vote as 5‑0‑1 and forwarded HB 1063 with the emergency clause.

Details and limits

Haugen Hufford said the commission would continue to post notices online and with the secretary of state; the bill targets situations in which the commission has no control over physical posting at a venue. During questioning, she gave examples such as testimony at civic centers where venue door‑posting policies make compliance impractical. The committee debated whether an emergency clause was necessary; the Public Service Commission staff said an emergency clause was not required but would not harm operations.

Ending: The committee’s action sends HB 1063 to the next stage with an emergency clause; staff and sponsors signaled readiness to refine implementation details if floor debate requires it.","House Bill 1063 would exempt the Public Service Commission from some open‑meeting posting requirements when commissioners attend legislative committee hearings or when two commissioners attend events at venues not under PSC control. The committee adopted an emergency clause amendment and gave the bill a do‑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},6119194,"Committee approves amendment protecting state rail‑safety inspection records in NTSB investigations",273,368000,641000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2713882-ab9d1dc198c93c2c8853aa67657d6b07&start=368&end=641","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2713882-ab9d1dc198c93c2c8853aa67657d6b07/thumbnail_368000.jpg","/articles/6119194/North-Dakota/Committee-approves-amendment-protecting-state-railsafety-inspection-records-in-NTSB-investigations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6119194-97f502187b77fe41224d630b6b7690fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159905&Signature=RTLs3KWTQjZXEBiuyn4SvSe~0gh~JzNdNUu63eu9~D7vpFMnXVd5Hk1n6mypTe564bCJu6IoiQLwyatt35BKP5nnVnCmz16TacrE94yrrvqcXxawSPcqtJppdd1k3jLH0TyUvKWV6~SwsStrRB91mDZxnxM~ztJ7fVwDyuXpKlSPLxu0Jy2L3I5eRISURkVCC8sX7MXgR3LAi4v9mHrpx~X2T7oDTbXuw4ikL-QcbUY-4GBNUJ7oRjcgbYiCchT-jo2Bn-PHkVj72qBpuABRqBrnEAir0zDdAbU19LXvbydXrPD9PfqgkpmA5~K1WfP27XluCMUU0jlXBzB1Oma5Og__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The State and Local Government Committee voted to give House Bill 1110 a do‑pass recommendation as amended, adding an explicit exemption to protect certain rail‑safety inspection records when participating in National Transportation Safety Board investigations.

Conrad Crockford, compliance division director for the Public Service Commission, told the committee the commission’s rail safety inspectors document defects and vulnerabilities — including precise location data and hazardous‑material shipping manifests — and sometimes are the first inspectors at derailment sites. “This exemption would only protect records and information related to our rail safety program and does not exempt any records related to the PSC’s additional regulatory oversight of railroads,” Crockford said during his testimony.

Nut graf: The amendment narrows the bill to protect inspection records created by state rail safety inspectors who operate under an agreement with the Federal Railroad Administration’s state safety participation program, while leaving other commission records subject to regular disclosure. Supporters said the change aligns state practice with federal investigatory procedures and preserves participation in multi‑party NTSB investigations.

Committee discussion and votes

The committee adopted an amendment offered by Senator Lee and seconded by Senator Wallen to insert the phrase “and federal railroad administration state safety participation program” after the word “board.” The clerk recorded the amendment vote as 5‑0‑1. Senator Barta then moved the bill, as amended, for a do‑pass recommendation; Senator Wallen seconded. The clerk’s roll call on the final motion recorded Chair Rohrs, Vice Chair Castaneda, Senator Barta, Senator Lee and Senator Wallen voting “Aye.” The committee recorded the final tally as yes 5, absent 1; the motion carried and the committee gave HB 1110 a do‑pass as amended.

What the amendment does and limits

According to Crockford, the bill as originally drafted would have provided an exception for NTSB investigations but did not clearly protect inspection records generated through the state rail safety program. The commission’s proposed language clarifies that only records and information produced by rail safety inspectors working under the FRA state safety participation program are exempted; the amendment does not create a blanket exemption for all Public Service Commission files.

Crockford said the commission routinely shares final accident reports and annual program data with stakeholders, but wants to protect preliminary inspection records that include mile markers or latitude/longitude coordinates and manifests tied to hazardous materials shipments until federal investigators release those materials.

Ending: The committee’s action sends HB 1110, with the new protection for FRA‑participation inspection records, forward in the legislative process. Crockford said the commission will provide additional information to committee staff if questions arise later in the process.","The State and Local Government Committee voted to pass House Bill 1110 as amended, adding language to protect inspection records gathered under the Federal Railroad Administration state safety participation program during National Transportation Safety Board investigations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sponsors pause House Bill 1555 after reviewers urge waiting for related measures; AG and Secretary of State propose technical edits

Committee hears bill to exempt township supervisors from formal notice for on‑site inspections; wording issues pause final action

Committee advances bill to ease Public Service Commission open‑meeting notices for legislative and off‑site events

Committee approves amendment protecting state rail‑safety inspection records in NTSB investigations