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Legislative Update for Week 4
GNDCSunday, January 26, 2025Bill deadlines are at play now. While Senators had a bit more time to submit bills, their deadline was the 27th. With that all additional considerations will need to be floated to the delayed bills committee chaired by Rep. Lefor (House) and Sen. Myrdal (Senate). FUN FACT – these were the chairs last session too!
With the bill count raising, GNDC is taking time to look at each bill and weigh their intentions and byproducts against the policy positions created by our members. While there are a few we like, we are seeing bad bills coming out of the woodwork and stinking up the capitol – just ask our CEO.
Bills as of Monday Morning: 990 (+81 from last session)
Senate introduced: 362 (same as last session but Monday was their deadline)
House introduced: 628 (ALSO +81)
GNDC tracking: 172 (+36 from last session)
Days left in the session: 67 (max)
SOME OF THE WORK WE ENGAGED IN:
SB 2181: WSI include PTSD- OPPOSE
- This would provide Posttraumatic Stress Disorder coverage to all covered workers.
- Aside from the unknown fiscal impacts, GNDC also has concerns about how qualifying events would be identified. This could lead to increased costs from fraud and litigation.
- SUPPORT
- Enhances access to the program while preserving its core purpose: Expands Career Builders eligibility to include individuals living within 50 miles of North Dakota and updates the scholarship payback requirement so students only need to repay the state's portion to the state. Allows employers to create their own tailored agreements with students on repayment.
- SUPPORT
- Transfers authority for siting transmission lines to the Public Service Commission to ensure consistency and efficiency. Aligns the process with the existing siting procedures for gas and liquid pipelines, creating a uniform approach to infrastructure.
- SUPPORT
- Creates a faster path for students to earn degrees in high-demand careers. Colleges can work with licensing boards to design a new type of degree that removes the need for general education classes.
- SUPPORT
- Establish a new grant program within the Dept. of Commerce to help private businesses develop technology and foster tech innovations.
RECALL
Here’s an update on action from bills that we’ve previously mentioned.
Oppose
> HB 1159 (Paper Ticketing) : Defeated
> SB 2094 (WSI Retroactivate Retirement) : Defeated
> HB 1060 (extend the presumption of compensability, WSI) : Defeated
> SB 2026 (Foreign Ownership) : Defeated
* HB 1122 (Prison Industries Preference & Procurement) : GNDC Oppose: Amended - resulting in GNDC stance change to Neutral: Passed
INSIDER'S PEEK: Check out a snippet from GNDC Cornerstone Champion Member Sanford Health's Testimony in support of SB 2147 (ND Career Builders Program):
"In 2020, Sanford spent more than $25 million to hire 464 independent contract labor staff on varying assignments to offset staffing gaps in our clinics and hospitals. Flash forward to 2025 and we have dramatically reduced our need for contract labor thanks in large part to workforce development programs created and supported by our state legislature."
- If you aren't using Career Builders in your workforce attention and retention toolbox - you are missing out - link here.
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