Latest news with #SteveVetter
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Grand Forks lawmakers heard a menagerie of issues from constituents
May 17—EDITOR'S NOTE — The following is part of an ongoing series of Herald stories about the recently completed session of the North Dakota Legislature. GRAND FORKS — The 2025 legislative session hit a number of topics and issues affecting all of North Dakota. In Grand Forks, local lawmakers had their own differing concerns brought to them by constituents. The biennial session ended earlier this month after more than 1,000 bills and resolutions were introduced. Throughout their four months in Bismarck, lawmakers say they typically receive a number of emails and calls from the people they represent. Sen. Claire Cory, R-Grand Forks, experienced a buzz about blackout license plates and alternative energy sources, such as geothermal and nuclear. About the latter, she said she is "optimistic about the future application moving towards long term energy needs, jobs and opportunities this will create for North Dakota." Blackout license plates, gaining popularity in Minnesota and other states, were introduced to North Dakota via Senate Bill 2133 . Rather than the typical state plate design — a bison silhouetted before a setting sun over the Badlands — the new plates will simply be black with white lettering. Cory said she's heard a lot of excitement about them. Purchasing the plates will also put money into North Dakota's highway system. The bill, according to Sen. Kristin Roers, R-Fargo, was filed on a constituent's request. Rep. Steve Vetter, R-Grand Forks, said a number of his own bills were based on constituent issues he heard. Some of the bills of which he was a primary sponsor involved false reports to law enforcement, edible medical marijuana and motor vehicle window tints. Property tax was a hot topic for constituents of at least four Grand Forks legislators: Cory, Vetter, Rep. Mark Sanford and Sen. Scott Meyer. Sanford, R-Grand Forks, said it was what he received the most comments about. Meyer, R-Grand Forks, said it might show up again in the next session following the passing of House Bill 1176 this session. "The goal was to not only bring relief to homeowners, but to also bring tax reform in the form of caps," he said. "When massive policy like this is enacted, there will be feelings that we could do more. With that said, we'll have an opportunity to address any unintended consequences in Bismarck next session." Sanford said he also heard frequently from the higher education community because he carries that budget. Rep. Zac Ista, D-Grand Forks, also mentioned education, said protecting public education was the top concern he heard from constituents. "There was a large public outcry against voucher and educational savings account proposals that would have diverted public tax dollars to paying for private school tuition," he said. "Simply put, the public was strongly against this plan." Rep. Eric Murphy, R-Grand Forks, said House Bill 1318 was something for which he received a number of "thank you" notes. The approved bill's goal is to provide legal protections for pesticide manufacturers, specifying that a label approved by the Environmental Protection Agency is sufficient in warning users about hazardous chemicals. The bill received protest from some legislators and North Dakota residents. Prior to the vote by the Senate to approve the bill, about two dozen people stood outside the Capitol building voicing concerns about it. Among concerns about health risks, people also worried about keeping companies liable for health issues caused by the chemicals. "This does not remove responsibility for unknown health risks when using a product nor known health risks, but it does relieve them from failure to warn the consumer," Murphy, R-Grand Forks said. "(It's) an important bill for agriculture producers." Sen. Jonathan Sickler, R-Grand Forks, said his constituent comments were about time — literally. "By far, I received the most individual communications from constituents who were opposed to the bill to switch to standard time year-round," he said. "The Legislature heard the opposition and handily defeated the proposed change."
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Amended military zone plan headed to North Dakota Senate
Apr. 1—BISMARCK — After passage in the North Dakota House of Representatives, an amended version of a bill that seeks to create military compatibility zones will again be considered by the Senate. The Senate approved an earlier version of SB 2398, which if passed will create "impact zones" as well as a committee whose goal will be to "harmonize land, airspace and electromagnetic spectrum use" within those zones, according to the bill's wording. Although it's an issue that would carry significance elsewhere in the state — Minot, in particular — much of its focus has been on northeast North Dakota and the Grand Forks region due to the location of nearby Grand Forks Air Force Base, Camp Grafton and the Cavalier Space Force Station. Final passage of SB 2398 would protect existing and future military missions within the zones and "ensure that any proposed developments within the designated radius of the installation will be subject to review," according to Rep. Steve Vetter, R-Grand Forks. During a speech prior to Thursday's vote on the House floor, both Vetter and Rep. Landon Bahl, R-Grand Forks, spoke in favor of the amended version of SB 2398. Vetter told House members that the goal is to "bring every entity to the table," including municipalities, townships, counties and the military. During his speech, Vetter referenced the failed Fufeng corn mill, which was proposed to be built in Grand Forks. With Fufeng's ties to China, the Air Force eventually declared the plan a national security threat and in 2023, the city backed out of negotiations with the company's representatives. But before it was scuttled, the Fufeng proposal prompted more than a year of controversy as plans inched forward. "We all remember Fufeng ..." Vetter said. "This bill aims to provide coordination and communication between military bases and the local zoning authorities." Sen. Jeff Barta, R-Grand Forks, also has said the goal is more communication. He introduced SB 2398. During a committee hearing in early March , he said the intent is to pass the bill as a method to get various stakeholders "seated around a table to say 'this is what has to be done in order for you to operate here.' " Already, Barta said during committee testimony and Vetter said prior to Thursday's floor vote, SB 2398 can be considered a mild success, since at the very least, it has sparked conversations about the need for collaboration and conversations prior to developments being placed anywhere near military installations. Additionally, Vetter noted, any coordination and cooperation that happens currently can be jeopardized in the future as leadership inevitably changes on various local and county boards. SB 2398 would ensure continuity in the process, he believes. "This bill is needed to ensure that communication continues, regardless of who is in office," Vetter said. Originally, SB 2398 included predetermined "impact zones" that stretched 25 miles in each direction from the Air Force bases in Grand Forks and Minot. That led to initial hesitation from the Grand Forks City Council , whose members were concerned that the long reach of the impact zone could jeopardize future development in and around the city. Grand Forks Air Force Base is about 18 miles from downtown Grand Forks. The size of the impact zones was amended, now to be " established by an assessment in a compatible use study and contingent upon the missions of each military base ." Also amended was the compatibility committee's makeup. In an earlier form, it included the governor among its members; now, members include the state agriculture commissioner, as well as a representative from each county within the boundaries of a zone, to be selected by local county commissions; a township representative, to be selected by the boards of township supervisors; a city representative, to be selected by affected city councils; and, on a voluntary basis, the commander of each military installation, or a designee. The House approved the amended version 73-19, returning it for Senate consideration. Its earlier version passed the Senate 47-0 on Feb. 19. Next up for SB 2398, Senate members will vote either "do concur" or "do not concur." Before the House vote Thursday, Bahl noted that other states have moved in the same direction that SB 2398 suggests. North Dakota needs to follow suit, he said. "When we accepted these bases, our state accepted the duty to protect them," he said. "Please vote a 'do-pass' on 2398 to protect our bases and protect our future."
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawmakers approve ballot measure putting single subject rule to statewide vote
Staff count packets of signed petitions in the Secretary of State's Office on Feb. 9, 2024, in Bismarck. (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor) The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a proposed constitutional amendment that, if approved by voters, would require all future amendments to the state constitution to only have one subject. The North Dakota Constitution holds that 'no bill may embrace more than one subject, which must be expressed in its title,' but proponents of Senate Resolution 4007 say this should be amended to include changes to the constitution. This includes those proposed by the Legislature and through voter-initiated petitions. More 2025 legislative session coverage 'It is important for people to know what they're voting on,' Rep. Steve Vetter, R-Grand Forks, said while speaking in support of the resolution. 'Having multiple subjects in one amendment can be misleading and confusing for voters.' Under the resolution, the Secretary of State's Office would have to certify that each proposed amendment complies with this rule. The Secretary of State's Office could only approve petitions to gather signatures for proposed amendments if the amendments do not contain more than one subject. Vetter said Secretary of State Michael Howe testified previously that he would consult with the Attorney General's Office on these decisions. Sponsors of the resolution include Senate Majority Leader David Hogue and House Majority Leader Mike Lefor. Rep. Austen Schauer, chair of the House Government and Veteran Affairs Committee, said his committee forwarded the bill to the floor because they trust the judgement of the secretary of state and attorney general. 'They are the subject matter experts for North Dakota when it comes to election language and election integrity,' he said. Critics have raised concerns that the amendment would give the officials a disproportionate amount of power to approve or deny changes to the constitution. It could also lead to more legislative and litigation-related costs to the state, opponents said. Voters in 2024 rejected Measure 2, which sought to limit future constitutional ballot measures to a single subject, along with other provisions including raising the voter threshold to 60% and requiring a measure to be passed with two votes. The North Dakota Supreme Court found that the Office of Management and Budget's 2023-2025 budget violated the North Dakota Constitution's single subject rule and vacated the law. The budget was challenged in court by the North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System board. The state held a special session in late 2023 to pass a new budget. The resolution previously passed the Senate. In order for the amendment to be adopted, it would need to be approved by voters on the 2026 general election ballot. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
