2023 Legislative Session Updates

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The Commerce Budget will be heard first in the Education and Environment Division of the House Appropriations Committee Click here to view the members

 

2023 Commerce Bill Watch List
Bill # Hearing Date Subject Status Video
HB 1014

 

A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the industrial commission and the agencies under its control; to provide for a transfer; and to provide an exemption. Conference committee appointed Kempenich Brandenburg Mock

HB 1014 Recording

HB 1018

04/19/23
12:30

A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the department of commerce. Returned to House

North Dakota Legislative Branch Video (ndlegis.gov)

HB 1018 Recordings

HB 1021

 

A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the information technology department; and to provide an exemption. Conference committee appointed Kempenich Meier Mock

HB 1021 Recording

HB 1040 04/19/23
12:30
Relating to the closure of the public employees retirement system main plan, the deferred compensation program, and expansion of the defined contribution retirement plan Committee work

North Dakota Legislative Branch Video (ndlegis.gov)

HB 1040 Recording

HB 1158   Relating to the imposition of a flat income tax rate of one and one‑half percent for individuals, estates, and trusts; and to provide an effective date. New conference committee appointed Kannianen Patten Rummel, Headland, Hagert, Bosch

HB 1158 Recording

HB 1168   Relating to the provision of an income tax credit for purchases of manufacturing machinery and equipment to automate a manufacturing process; and to provide an effective date. Reconsidered

HB 1168 Recording

HB 1170   Relating to a property tax exemption for certain natural gas pipeline property; and to provide an effective date. Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 46 nays 0

HB 1170 Recording

HB 1371 04/19/23
12:30
Relating to agricultural definitions, ownership exceptions for beekeeping, agriculture support services, cattle backgrounding and feedlot operations, and raising or producing of livestock by persons that have limited landholdings. Reported back from conference committee, further amend, placed on calendar

HB 1371 Recording

HB 1379 04/19/23
10:30
Relating to an agriculture infrastructure fund, an economic diversification research fund, a workforce development and enrichment fund, a legacy projects fund, a legacy projects advisory board, and a county and township bridge fund; to amend and reenact sections 6-09.4-10.1 and 21-10-13 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the legacy sinking and interest fund and the legacy earnings fund; to provide a report; to provide an appropriation; to provide a contingent appropriation; and to provide an effective date. Conference committee appointed Bosch Lefor Vigesaam Bekkedahl, Hoque, Klein

North Dakota Legislative Branch Video (ndlegis.gov)

HB 1379 Recording

HB 1383   Relating to the provision of an income tax credit for qualified compensation paid to an apprentice; and to provide an effective date. Conference committee report adopted

HB 1383 Recording

HB 1429 04/19/23
12:30
Relating to unfair discrimination in the business of insurance and the investment and management of public funds; to amend and reenact section 21-10-08.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the prohibition on social investments; and to provide for a legislative management study. Reported back from conference committee, amend, placed on calendar

HB 1429 Recording

HB 1437   Relating to the creation of regional livestock planning grants; and to provide for an appropriation. Sent to Governor

HB 1437 Recording

HB 1455 04/19/23
12:30
Relating to a sales and use tax exemption for materials used in the research and development of bioscience and biotechnology and manufacture of bioscience and biotechnology products; and to provide an effective date. Reported back from conference committee, amend, placed on calendar

North Dakota Legislative Branch Video (ndlegis.gov)

HB 1455 Recording

SB 2142   Relating to the creation of an office of health care immigration; to provide an appropriation; and to provide for a report. Second reading, passed, yeas 41 nays 5

SB 2142 Recording

SB 2187 04/19/23
12:30
Relating to adoption of the counseling compact. Second reading, passed, yeas 46 nays 0

North Dakota Legislative Branch Video (ndlegis.gov)

SB 2187 Recording

SB 2239   Relating to public employees retirement system main system plan employer contribution rates and participation in the public employees retirement system defined contribution plan; to provide an appropriation; and to provide for application. Laid over two legislative days

SB 2239 Recording

SB 2240 04/18/23
8:30
A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation to the department of commerce for the base retention grant program. Conference committee appointed Burckhard Meyer J. Roers, Nelson, Anderson, Miskog

North Dakota Legislative Branch Video (ndlegis.gov)

SB 2240 Recording

SB 2273   A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation to the department of commerce for a rural grocery store sustainability and food access expansion pilot grant program. Sent to Governor

SB 2273 Recording

SB 2334 04/19/23
11:00
Relating to a local revenue loss reimbursement fund; to amend and reenact subsection 2 of section 57-39.2-04.15 and section 57-39.2-26 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a sales tax exemption for a fertilizer plant; to provide a continuing appropriation; and to provide an effective date. Conference committee appointed Hagert Dockter Motschenbacher, Weber, Patten, Piepkorm

North Dakota Legislative Branch Video (ndlegis.gov)

SB 2334 Recording

SB 2371 04/19/23
12:30
Relating to the power of counties and municipalities to prohibit local development by a foreign adversary; to amend and reenact section 47-01-09 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the prohibition on ownership of real property by a foreign adversary; and to declare an emergency. Returned to Senate

North Dakota Legislative Branch Video (ndlegis.gov)

SB 2371 Recording

SB 2391 04/19/23
12:30
Relating to renaissance zones and income and property tax incentives related to renaissance zones. Second reading, passed, yeas 41 nays 5

North Dakota Legislative Branch Video (ndlegis.gov)

SB 2391 Recording

SCR 4014   A concurrent resolution urging the Secretary of the Interior and the Director of the National Park Service to modify its proposed livestock management plan, and to continue to allow for interpretative, cultural, and historical purposes a herd of longhorn steers in the North Unit of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the presence of a wild horse herd in the South Unit of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Filed with Secretary Of State 04/17

SCR 4014 Recording


 

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Gov. Doug Burgum recently delivered his 2023-25 Executive Budget Address to the 68th Legislative Assembly, presenting a strategic budget that includes nearly $170 million to address the state’s workforce shortage, increased support for K-12 education and teacher salaries, and over $3 billion for roads, bridges, water projects and other critical infrastructure – all while cutting individual income taxes to save taxpayers an estimated $500 million over two years.

The following are executive budget updates that reflect Commerce initiatives:

Addressing workforce

The proposed budget includes a comprehensive package across multiple agencies and programs to address the workforce shortage in North Dakota, which has an estimated 35,000 job openings and the nation’s third-lowest unemployment rate. The package includes:

  • $20 million for a competitive Regional Workforce Impact Grant program for local governments, economic development groups and others addressing labor demands.
  • $5 million for a workforce transition training program to help retrain and upskill citizens who have been provided a new work opportunity through automation.
  • $2 million for the Technical Skills Training Grant to support accelerated skilled workforce training programs.
  • $700,000 to support job placement and wraparound support for justice involved populations.

Marketing North Dakota

  • $25 million for a strategic marketing and workforce recruitment campaign which will include support for expanding Commerce’s Find the Good Life campaign and virtual job fairs, in addition to other initiatives.
  • $5 million (one-time) investment in destination North Dakota awareness marketing.

Building healthy, vibrant communities

Burgum highlighted the need to invest in North Dakota’s communities, recreation, and tourism, including the Energize Our Communities plan announced in October to help cities attract new residents and help retain youth and existing workforce.

  • $50 million for a Destination Development Fund that would be matched by private or non-state sources to build or expand unique attractions.
  • $10 million for a Rural Revitalization and Redevelopment Grant Program to promote in-fill development, especially in blighted areas.
  • $5 million for a Rural Workforce Housing Program.
  • $25 million into the Housing Incentive Fund.

Investing in North Dakota

Additional funding recommendations to promote economic development and creating healthy, vibrant communities.

  • $20 million in matching funds for a state military museum to be added to the North Dakota Heritage Center and Museum. During the address, which fell on National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, Burgum recognized veterans and thanked them for their service.
  • The budget proposes more than $51 million for state parks and recreational/historical sites, including $9 million to build cabins at state parks, $6 million in grants for local parks and recreation, and $8 million for a new campground at the Pembina Gorge.
  • State Infrastructure Fund; $300 million for local infrastructure funds not supported by federal funding. 
  • $76 million in recommendations to improve the affordability, availability and quality of child care programs.
  • A $10 million Workforce Innovation Grant program to support higher education institutions that create new programs or alter existing ones based on urgent workforce needs.  
  • $10 million for an Energy Scholarship Pilot Program to help compete with other states to attract and retain not only energy workers, but their families as well. 
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