North Dakota ITCND Legislative Report

Key Hearings Held Jan. 12-16



SB 2003 – Support

SB 2003 was heard before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Jan.12-14. This bill is the North Dakota University System appropriation. ITCND supported this bill as it included $2 million for a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) initiative for student loan reimbursements to students who took STEM courses in North Dakota institutions of Higher Education and became employed in these fields in North Dakota. However, SB 2003 was called back to the Senate floor on Jan. 13 and an amendment was made to remove the sections relating to the STEM grants. This will be placed within a new bill. ITCND will continue monitoring the status the STEM grant initiative.



SB 2018 - Support

SB 2018 was heard before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Jan. 16. This bill is the Department of Commerce appropriation. It includes an additional $100,000 ($250,000 total) to expand the Innovate ND program to meet increasing demand. It also includes $1.2 million (increase of $600,000) for the Operation Intern program. ITCND supported this bill. Attached is the testimony of Doug Remboldt, NISC.



SB 2040 - Support

SB 2040 was heard before the Senate Finance and Taxation Committee on Jan. 13. This bill provides a sales and use tax exemption for new or replacement equipment used for telecommunications infrastructure development. ITCND supported this bill.



SB 2110 - Support

SB 2110 was heard before the Senate Industry, Business and Labor Committee on Jan. 13. This bill expands the Operation Intern program to include apprenticeships and participation from 11th and 12th graders. The $1.2 million in funding for the expanded program is in both SB 2018 and HB 1065. It is assumed the funding will be taken out of one of the bills. ITCND supported this bill. Attached is the testimony of Bob Pope, Nexus Innovations.



Hearing Schedule and Status Report (Jan. 19-23)



The hearing schedule and status of bills being tracked by ITCND are attached. We will not be offering testimony on all of these bills, but are tracking them because they have a direct or indirect impact on information technology issues, either at the state agency level, political subdivision level or in private business.



For More Information



If at any time you need additional information or know of others who are interested in receiving this report, contact Annika Nelson, ITCND assistant executive director, at office@itcnd.org or 701-355-4458.



Copies of bill drafts and information about the 61st Legislative Session can be found at the Bills and Resolutions link on the North Dakota Legislative Council website at www.legis.nd.gov/.



How to Contact Your Legislators



During a legislative session, a legislator can be reached at the State Capitol through e-mail or by leaving a message with the legislative telephone message center at 888-NDLEGIS (635-3447) or 701-328-3373 (local). These numbers can also be used to obtain information on bills under consideration. Otherwise, a legislator can be reached by mail or e-mail at the address listed in the legislator's bio online under the 61st Legislative Assembly link at www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/61-2009.





Addressing Mail Correspondence

To a Senator:

Honorable (full name)

State Senator

600 E. Boulevard Ave.

Bismarck, ND 58505



Dear Senator (last name)


To a Representative:

Honorable (full name)

State Representative

600 E. Boulevard Ave.

Bismarck, ND 58505



Dear Representative (last name)




2009 Legislative Deadlines




Date

January 19

January 26

February 20

February 20, 23-24

March 5

April 10

April 30
Topic

Deadline for representatives to introduce bills

Deadline for senators to introduce bills

Crossover for bills

Recess

Crossover for resolutions

Good Friday

Session is limited to 80 legislative days




Legislative Bills Tracked (to date)






Appropriation Bills

SB 2003 – North Dakota University System

SB 2016 – Job Service North Dakota

SB 2018 – ND Department of Commerce

SB 2019 – North Dakota Department of Career and Technical Education

SB 2021 – Information Technology Department



Other Bills

HB 1065 – Expansion of Operation Intern

HB 1066 – Tax credits for automation and innovation

HB 1085 – Income tax credits for employment of apprentices and for workforce recruitment

HB 1144 – Relating to confidentiality of information contained in records

HB 1208 – Relating to the use of a wireless communications device and demerit points

SB 2040 – Sales and use tax exemption for telecommunications infrastructure equipment

SB 2062 – Opportunity grant for North Dakota high school graduates and new graduate earned income deduction

SB 2110 – Expands Operation Intern to include apprenticeships and participation from 11th and 12th graders

SB 2131 – Relating to service charges for recycling and disposal for surplus property