VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – A District 24 Legislative Forum, sponsored by the League of Women Voters (LWV) and the Valley City-Barnes County Development Corporation, was held Saturday, February 22nd. Nearly 40 citizens from District 24 attended, but none of the District 24 legislators were present. Numerous individuals reviewed and commented on many bills presently under consideration in the legislative session.

Vicki Voldal Rosenau representing the LWV, a non-partisan civic organization, welcomed attendees and introduced Jennifer Feist, Development Corp. Director and moderator for the forum. Citizens at the forum expressed their views on numerous legislative topics of interest to them, and shared information on contacting legislators and looking up the progress of specific bills.

Perry Kapaun, manager of the Barnes Rural Water District, said HB1605, which would prohibit water fluoridation, failed on the house floor 40-53. SB2299 relates to auditing of government entities, including water boards, and he described the difficulty in getting people to serve. He discussed HB1537, and the conflicts between urban and rural water districts.

Jim Buhr gave a statement from Dakota Resource Council regarding SB2174, dealing with the regulation of setbacks from industrial-sized animal feeding operations. There is now a computerized tool to be used under the direction of the Agriculture Commissioner to help determine the extent of noxious odors coming from these CAFO’s. SB2174 passed in the Senate on Feb. 19.

Gail Pederson discussed her recent testimony on bills dealing with nursing, including safety, and on issues regarding cannabis production in the state. North Dakota has a poor supply of medicinal cannabis, she said.

Anita Tulp from the Valley City-Barnes County Public Library, criticized SB2307 which would severely restrict access of library patrons to certain materials, and would infringe on citizens’ privacy by requiring individuals to audibly ask for specific items. She said children are already under their parents’ supervision due to the terms of their library cards. There are no similar restrictions on material from bookstores, grocery stores, and the internet. Others concurred, and said there has been no evidence that young people are getting pornography from libraries. On Feb. 20, SB 2307 was passed by the Senate.

Angie Martin discussed how to obtain e-mail addresses of legislators. LWV noted that North Dakota provides its citizens with an extraordinarily user-friendly legislative website (https://ndlegis.gov/), and a helpful, easily-accessible Legislative Council. Individuals can easily submit testimony on specific bills right from the website.

Numerous bills dealing with using public funds for private schools were discussed by Dr. Steven Johnson, Superintendent of Fort Ransom Elementary School and an executive board member of the National Rural Education Association. Those bills include: SB2400, recently passed 24-23 in the Senate; HB1540, passed on the House floor; and SB2303, defeated in the Senate. Shawn Olauson asked if the constitutionality of these bills has been studied. Johnson also discussed the inadequacies of HB1369, a K-12 school funding bill.

Sarah Lerud, librarian at Valley City High School and a board member of ND United, expressed support for HB 1475, which sought to provide school meals for all K-12 students. (1475 was defeated in the House on Feb. 24.)

Animal welfare, especially the encouragement and regulation of spaying and neutering is the issue in HB1538. Lacey Enger spoke in favor of this bill, which presently has a Do Not Pass recommendation of committee. (1538 was defeated in the House on Feb. 24.)

Gracie Mueller and Grace Reep, of VCSU Student Senate, spoke against SB2392, which restricts activities regarding diversity, equality and inclusion. They said this will interfere with education of teachers which is a strength of the college, because it prohibits many programs involved with teacher training. (2392 failed in the Senate on Feb.24.)

Jennifer Feist, speaking on behalf of Development Corporation reviewed HB1275 dealing with funding for natural gas infrastructure, which has been defeated; and HB1577, regarding waste water infrastructure; (1577) was passed in the House on Feb. 24).

Phil Mueller commented on SCR4008, which seeks to undo the term limits passed by public vote two years ago.

There was discussion of SCR4013, to support the electoral college, denounce the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, and invite other states to form the Electoral College Interstate Compact. League of Women Voters has taken a definite position against this resolution, because of its antidemocratic effect. (On Feb. 24, the Senate adopted SCR 4013 on a voice vote.)

Pat Hansen of South Central Adult Services expressed support of HB1106, which would provide funding for transportation services important to senior citizens.

Elise Miller brought up HB1411, which would prevent the passage of “Red Flag” laws, and is opposed by suicide prevention and mental health support groups. It received a Do Not Pass recommendation out of committee.

There was discussion of SB2355, which would require schools to teach the religious explanation Intelligent Design. (SB 2355 was narrowly defeated in the Senate on Feb. 24.)

The next Legislative Forum will be held on Saturday, March 22 at 9:30 am in the Valley City High School Hi-Liner Activity Center. District 24 legislators have been invited to attend. The public is invited to attend and bring information on bills they are interested in.