Last night, we released our first tracking list of the 2023 Legislative session.

North Dakota's Watchdog Update

Bill Tracking List As Of January 9th, 2023

Key Watchdog Votes Income Tax HB 1158 - Watchdog Supports House: 01/03 H Introduced, first reading, referred Finance and Taxation Committee 01/11 H Committee Hearing - 09:00 AM Relating to the imposition of a flat income tax rate of one and one-half percent for individuals, estates, and trusts; and to provide an effective date…

a month ago · Dustin Gawrylow

One bill posted today that is sure to raise some eyebrows among journalists and advocates of government transparency is House Bill 1198.

This bill would “require an individual who requests an open record to provide the individual's name and contact information.”

This is a huge departure from current law and policy, as the North Dakota Attorney General’s website clearly states:

We’ll have to keep an eye on this bill and see why some legislators including the new House Majority Leader Mike Lefor, who is the prime sponsor of the bill, think this is necessary.

There was a story back in September about a national effort to flood state government agencies with bogus requests regarding the 2020 election. Which, this bill really would do nothing to address that problem.

Stay tuned!

In the meantime, keep track of what bills the North Dakota Watchdog Network is watching:

North Dakota's Watchdog Update

Bill Tracking List As Of January 9th, 2023

Key Watchdog Votes Income Tax HB 1158 - Watchdog Supports House: 01/03 H Introduced, first reading, referred Finance and Taxation Committee 01/11 H Committee Hearing - 09:00 AM Relating to the imposition of a flat income tax rate of one and one-half percent for individuals, estates, and trusts; and to provide an effective date…

a month ago · Dustin Gawrylow

as well as this week’s committee hearing schedule:

North Dakota's Watchdog Update

2023 Legislative Hearings - Week of January 9th, 2023

01/09/2023 09:00 AM HCR 3002 Relating to authorizing sports betting. Relating to authorizing sports betting. House Judiciary 327B 01/09/2023 09:30 AM HB 1152 Relating to motorcycle ride poker run and dice roll requirements; and relating to exceptions from gaming offenses; and provide a penalty. Relating to motorcycle ride poker run and dice roll requirements; and to amend and reenact section 12.1-28-02 and subsection 2 of section 53-06.1-10.2 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to exceptions from gaming offenses; and provide a penalty…

a month ago · Dustin Gawrylow

North Dakota's Watchdog Update

Bill Would End Anonymous Open Record Requests