(BISMARCK, ND) – The North Dakota Senate says no to annual sessions of the state’s legislature.
House Bill 1408 failed on the Senate floor after more than 20 minutes of debate.
Senator Kristin Roers, of Fargo, says the issue of annual sessions has been considered previously by the North Dakota Legislature – but for slightly different reasons each time. She made reference to the fast pace of the first 100 days of the Trump administration and the changes proposed during those days.
“Our legislature needs to be able to adapt to those changes more rapidly,” Roers said. “Meeting annually would decrease the need for special sessions, as the time between convening is more like nine months, rather than the current 20 months.”
Senator Mark Weber, of Casselton, says he opposes annual sessions. He said he was originally in favor of annual sessions – until recently.
“Now that I’m in my third session and based on my past experience of being part of two special sessions called by the Governor, I’ve changed my mind,” he said.
He said he envisions working on policy one year and budgets the next but doesn’t think the legislature would do a good job of disciplining itself and sticking to the regimen.
