BISMARCK, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Your North Dakota legislature has approached the mid-way point of session, also known as crossover. It’s during this time that bills that passed out of the House and Senate are sent over to their respective
chamber for consideration. I’ve received many emails, calls, and in person visits from constituents. Thank you very much for the feedback and please keep it coming. Most recently, Rep. Kiefert and I had the privilege of visiting with High school students from the Litchville-Marion High school. All the students were very bright and intelligent, and we were honored to
have them sit on the House floor with us. I know Dwight appreciated the student’s thoughtful advice and voted accordingly:)

There’s been a lot of movement on the property tax front so, let us jump in. Property tax relief has been a major issue for many sessions. The state currently pays nearly $5.5 billion per biennium to political subdivisions to ease the burden on taxpayers. While the state is always looking at ways to provide more property tax relief, we also believe it is key to focus on
reform and long-term solutions that take into consideration the state’s whole tax environment. This ensures the most benefit to most people in a way that is fiscally sustainable. This includes continuing to fund education, county social services, and local roads, bridges, and highways. It also requires considerations around caps on tax increases, valuation adjustments, and other avenues to assist political subdivision in reducing costs.

One such example is HB 1176 which would, among other things, increase the primary residence tax credit to $1450, and requires a taxing district to not exceed the greater of the base year levy increased by the allowable percentage limit or the adjusted year levy increased by the allowable percentage limit without voter approval. If passed, 1176 would provide substantial relief for senior and low-income earners. Critics of HB 1176 say that the legislation doesn’t properly address the root cause of high property taxes and others expressed concern over the 3% cap and its impact on local governments.

Another property tax bill, HB 1168, states that a board of a school district may levy a tax not exceeding the amount in dollars generated by a levy of fifty mills on the taxable valuation of the school district’s local contribution to the costs of education. The proceeds of this levy must be deposited into the school district’s general fund and may be used for any purposes related to the provision of educational services. The board of a school district may levy no more than ten mills on the taxable valuation of the district, for any purpose related to the provision of educational services. The proceeds of this levy must be deposited into the school district’s general fund and used in accordance with this subsection. The proceeds may not be transferred into any other fund. In addition, Property taxes levied in dollars by a taxing district may not exceed the amount
the taxing district levied in dollars in the preceding taxable year by more than three percent, except in certain circumstances or by voter approval.

Finally, HB 1575 provides property tax relief for residential, commercial, and agricultural properties through a reduction in taxable valuation. For residential property, the reduction is equal to two and three-fourths percent of the assessed value and for agricultural property and commercial property, it the reduction is equal to one and one – half percent of the assessed value of the property. It also caps property valuations at 3% per year but gives voters in the taxing district the ability to exceed the 3% limit for up to six years at a time. These options allow political subdivisions to plan for extraordinary costs, such as large infrastructure projects, a new fire truck, or other needs and give voters a voice in how their property taxes are spent. None of these limits apply to special assessments.

Governor Armstrong signed the first bill of the session, SB 2201, expanding North Dakota’s Primary Residence Credit to include homes held in trusts, ensuring more homeowners benefit from property tax relief. HB 1176, 1168, and 1575 passed the House, and have been sent over to the Senate for consideration. I voted for all three bills with the hope to keep the conversation going. I believe there’s room for improvement with all three bills, and the more feedback they receive from each chamber will help get a better product to the people of ND.

I was happy to co-sponsor HB 1275 for cities with a population under 10,000 to aid with infrastructure to provide more access to natural gas. The cost to drill a supply line under I-94 for natural gas is estimated to be around $330,000. The total request in 1275 was for $5,000,000. Unfortunately, 1275 failed on the House floor.

I supported HB 1577 which seeks to provide a wastewater infrastructure grant. This grant will be a big help for all the small cities and townships in District 24, including Valley City. HB 1577 passed the House floor, and has been sent to the Senate for consideration.

HB 1211 would amend North Dakota law to count all hydroelectric power, regardless of its date of in-service or commercial operation, as renewable energy under North Dakota law. Currently, North Dakota law does not count hydropower as “renewable” unless it has an in-service date of January 1, 2007, or after. This means power from the federal dams of the
Missouri River and administered by WAPA (Western Area Power Administration) is not renewable under state law.

HB 1211 passed the House and has already received a do pass recommendation from the Senate Finance and Taxation Committee.

I sponsored HB 1247. Currently, under existing law, a student victim of sexual assault is often ostracized and removed from their school, or they are faced with the horrific prospect of being forced to interact with their attacker. 1247 seeks to establish commonsense protocols which would require a convicted student to adhere to a safety plan which would include, no contact with the victim, and proper separation in school buildings and educational activities. The proposed legislation would also require the school district to consider transferring a convicted student to an alternate education program, which may include virtual learning or to another school district. When transferring a convicted student isn’t possible the school district would have to develop a safety plan which ensures that a convicted student is separated from a victim at all times.

If you would like to help promote this legislation, HB 1247 will be heard in the Senate Education committee this Wednesday at 10am. You can also submit testimony via the NDLegis.gov website.

I sponsored HB 1361 which seeks to require mandatory minimum sentences for human traffickers. Human trafficking is multifaceted, but at the root of the crime it is modern day slavery perpetuated by the lowest form of scum in our state and nation. During committee hearing we received testimony from the North Dakota Human Trafficking Task Force, and they stated from 2016 to 2022, there were 700 victims of human trafficking that were served by the task force. That averages out to about 117 victims per year. We also heard from the 31:8 Project, a Bismarck based non-profit that served over 60 human trafficking victims in 2024. One victim testified that the person that trafficked her was also trafficking close to 30 other people. Often times, human traffickers receive very lenient sentences and upon release from prison precede to once again enter the trafficking trade. Victims of human trafficking are oftentimes kidnapped, drugged, and forced into the sex trade. Tom Homan, Director of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) stated that over the last four years at least 200,000 children crossed our southern border, and that we do not know their whereabouts. It would be wishful thinking to
believe that some are not victims of human trafficking, and that some are not in North Dakota. The message that I hope HB 1361 sends to human traffickers is do not operate in North Dakota. We will get you and lock you up for a long time.
The Senate Judiciary committee has not scheduled a hearing for HB 1361 yet.

As we begin the second half of the 69th legislative session there will be many more bills coming to the Senate and House chambers. As always, your feedback is appreciated and well received by your District 24 legislative team. I would encourage you to reach out to me with any concerns, information, or advice that you may have on a bill. If you are planning a trip to Bismarck to testify on a bill let us know you’re coming, we would love to invite you to sit on the House or Senate floor as our guest.

With much respect and faithfully at your service, I wish you a happy March.

Sincerely, Rep. Johnston.