Representative Hagar advocates for local action over federal study proposal

The SCR 4017 Conference Committee meeting held on April 8, 2025, focused on the resolution regarding a legislative study. The discussion began with Representative Hagar addressing concerns about the nature of the resolution, clarifying that it is not intended to be codified into law but rather serves as a formal resolution.

The committee emphasized the importance of keeping the study local, suggesting that sending documents to Washington, D.C., would not effectively address the issues at hand. Representative Hagar expressed a desire for the committee to take meaningful action rather than simply submitting a declaration that would have little impact. The sentiment was that the resolution should facilitate future work on the topic, allowing for local solutions rather than relying on external entities.

The committee members reiterated their commitment to addressing the matter within the state, highlighting that the intention behind the resolution was not to sideline the issue by relegating it to a study. Instead, they aimed to ensure that the resolution would lead to actionable steps that could be taken at the state level.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the committee's focus on proactive engagement with the issues outlined in the resolution, aiming to foster local solutions rather than deferring to federal processes. The next steps will involve further discussions on how to implement the findings of the study effectively within North Dakota.