701-566-9300Upon completion of the 69th Legislative Assembly, the legislative management committee met in Fargo on May 28 to confirm the required interim studies and to select those studies not required but suggested by the legislature. The committee has 17 members including the Chairman, Sen. David Hogue, and Vice-Chairman Rep. Mike Lefor, and a wide variety of legislative leaders.
At the meeting, it was clear that the Committee functioned like a well-oiled machine. There were 67 total studies from which to select. The time and financial resources for interim legislative studies obviously are limited and, therefore, the committee winnowed down the list to the 20 required studies and selected an additional 27 interim studies. For those selected please note the “X” marked in the “Yes” and “No” columns, and it further indicates which of the studies are required.
It was a thoughtful and transparent committee process and discussion, which also included combining some studies. I won’t go into details due to space limitations. However, the meeting video will provide all the details you want and then some….
A few of the studies might be of more interest to the rural and agricultural communities: 2157 (Agriculture Safety Course to Reduce Insurance Premiums); 2210 (Water Management Based on Watershed Boundaries); 3018 (Inundated Land Taxation); 1218 (Economic Analysis Formula for Assessment Drain Projects); and 1176 (Tax Reform and Relief Advisory Committee).
The legislative management committee is now in the process of forming the interim committees and selecting individual committee members. The next committee meeting is June 26 in Bismarck at the State Capitol and you may monitor online. Perhaps, I will see you there.
Thank you for the opportunity to represent you in the past legislative session and thank you for all your hard work and dedication (did I mention perseverance) in planting and farming, or otherwise in any capacity supporting agriculture production and processing. Also, a special thank you to our legislators who worked so hard to support agriculture and rural communities in this past legislative session! Those legislative decisions and resources are so critical to our success.
Have a happy, healthy, safe, and successful farming summer!