BISMARCK, N.D. — The Senate Transportation Committee on March 4 heard testimony on a string of bills to name bridges and stretches of highway for North Dakota veterans, approved repeal language removing a dormant multistate transportation compact from state law and took initial testimony on a bill that would allow special warning lamps on vehicles such as tow trucks and funeral processions.

The committee opened hearings on House Bill 1140, which would designate the bridge on South State Avenue in Dickinson for Specialist John P. Fettig, and heard from Representative Vicki Steiner (R‑District 37) and veterans groups supporting the measure. The Department of Transportation told the committee it had an amendment to remove DOT language because the bridge is on a city street and not on the state highway system; DOT asked that the bill be changed so designation and any appropriation for signs be tied to the road authority that owns the bridge and recommended confirming the City of Dickinson’s formal approval before proceeding.

The committee also heard bills to name a bridge on State Highway 31 north of New Salem for Specialist Dennis J. "DJ" Furter Jr. (House Bill 1173); a portion of State Highway 18 as the Private First Class Henry Gerke Memorial Highway (House Bill 1212); and a bridge on State Highway 5 in Bottineau for Lieutenant Commander Carl J. Woods (House Bill 1228). Family members and veterans organizations testified in support of each naming bill, describing the service and deaths of the service members and saying local veterans’ groups have offered to fund signs in several cases.

On procedural items the committee approved a cleanup repeal of the statute authorizing the state to join the long‑inactive multi‑state highway transportation compact (the Western States Transportation Alliance, commonly abbreviated WISTA). Representative Dan Ruby described the compact as largely dormant since about 2020 and said state DOT membership and dues had effectively lapsed; Wade Swenson, North Dakota DOT Director of Operations, said DOT supports repeal so it has no statutory obligation to pay membership dues for an inactive organization. The committee voted to give House Bill 1215 a due‑pass recommendation.

The committee also received extended testimony on House Bill 1241, which would amend restrictions on vehicle lamps to permit limited use of special lamps for certain nonemergency situations. Representative Sandro said the bill responds to funeral‑directors’ requests to improve safety for funeral processions when police cannot provide escort. Brian Barrett of the North Dakota Towing Association proposed an amendment to allow tow operators to use flashing blue lights only while stopped on the roadside (not while traveling), citing studies that blue is more visible in poor weather. Major Aaron Hummel of the North Dakota Highway Patrol said the agency prefers amber for funeral processions and urged clarity on allowed colors and specific definitions of an "active funeral procession." He also recommended a broader review of century code provisions that govern amber/blue/red/white lights on different classes of vehicles.

Votes at a glance

- House Bill 1173 (designate bridge on State Highway 31 for Specialist Dennis J. Furter Jr.): motion for due pass moved by Senator Rommel, seconded by Senator Klein; roll call recorded as aye votes by Chairman Clemens, Vice Chair Corey, Senators Hogan, Klein, Paulson and Rummel; outcome: approved; carrier: Senator Rummel.

- House Bill 1212 (designate portion of State Highway 18 as Private First Class Henry Gerke Memorial Highway): motion for due pass moved by Senator Paulson; roll call recorded as aye votes by Senators Hogan, Klein, Paulson, Rummel, Chairman Clemens and Vice Chair Corey; outcome: approved; carrier: Senator Paulson.

- House Bill 1228 (designate portion of State Highway 5 in Bottineau for Carl J. Woods): motion for due pass moved by Senator Klein, seconded by Senator Rummel; roll call recorded ayes from Senators Glenn, Paulson, Rummel, Chairman Clemens, Vice Chair Corey, Hogan and Klein; outcome: approved; carrier: Senator Paulson (volunteered to carry the bill).

- House Bill 1215 (repeal authorizing language for the multi‑state transportation agreement/WISTA): motion for due pass moved by Senator Klein, seconded by Senator Hogan; roll call recorded ayes from Chairman Clemens, Vice Chair Corey, Senators Hogan and Klein and others; outcome: approved; carrier: Senator Klein.

Items left open for follow‑up

- House Bill 1140 (Dickinson bridge naming for Specialist John P. Fettig) was heard but not acted on; DOT requested amendment language to tie designation and sign appropriation to the local road authority that owns the bridge and the committee directed staff or DOT to confirm whether the City of Dickinson has provided written approval.

- House Bill 1241 (special restrictions on lamps) received neutral and technical testimony and a proposed amendment; the committee did not act and asked agencies and stakeholders to clarify preferred colors, precise definitions for "funeral procession" and safe limits (for example, allowing blue for stopped tow trucks but not for vehicles in motion). The Highway Patrol signaled openness to discussing an amber standard for funeral processions and recommended a broader code cleanup to rationalize lamp colors and classes of vehicles.

Why this matters

Naming bills are symbolic but recurring items for state transportation committees and typically require coordination with local authorities when the infrastructure is off the state highway system; the DOT amendment request on HB 1140 illustrates that local ownership affects whether the department can implement signage or accept appropriated funds. Repealing the long‑inactive WISTA authorization clears a dormant statutory obligation and removes an expectation that the DOT pay membership dues. The lamp‑and‑lights discussion touches traffic safety, enforcement consistency and the practical ability of small jurisdictions to provide police escorts for funeral processions.

The committee recessed to consider additional bills and said it would take up the outstanding items after crossover and after staff and DOT follow up on the Dickinson approvals.