North Dakota Legislative News

from the council
July 2009
http://www.legis.nd.gov/
lcouncil@nd.gov
MEMOS The following memorandums are available from the Legislative Council office: "Budget
Section Duties and Responsibilities for the 2009-11 Biennium" (Budget Section); "Legislative
Committee Rooms - Use - Renovation Schedule" and "Supplementary Rules of Operation and
Procedure of the North Dakota Legislative Management (Reflecting the Name Change to the
Legislative Management on August 1, 2009)" (Legislative Management).
Nailed IT At the National Conference of State Legislatures Annual Meeting this July in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, Maryann F. Trauger, Manager, Information Technology Services for the
Legislative Council, receives the National Association of Legislative Information Technology
staff achievement award. From her national counterparts, this honor recognizes the
excellence of work that supports and strengthens the Legislative Assembly.
SENIOR SERVICE Senator Ray Holmberg receives the 2009 Legislator of the Year Award from the North Dakota
Senior Service Providers. The award comes for the senator's support in the last session of
increased funding for Meals on Wheels, congregate meals for seniors, and for working with
the Department of Human Services in making changes in the method of payments.
DISTINGUISHING
HIMSELF
Senator Tom Seymour will be a recipient of the 2009 Mayville State University Distinguished
Alumni Award in October.
BILLD ON THIS Senator JoNell A. Bakke and Representatives Michael R. Nathe and Gary R. Sukut received
fellowships to attend this year's Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development
(BILLD) in Madison, Wisconsin. Selected by the bipartisan BILLD Steering Committee, the
North Dakotans join 34 midwestern legislators for a five-day institute designed to improve
legislative skills of new lawmakers. Conducted every summer, the program is a partnership
between the Midwestern Office of the Council of State Governments and the University of
Wisconsin's Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs.
END OF SESSION
2009-10 INTERIM
APPOINTMENTS
AND ELECTIONS
Senator Gary A. Lee and Representative RaeAnn G. Kelsch serve on the Education
Commission of the States.
Senators Randel Christmann and Robert M. Horne and Representatives Matthew M. Klein
and Robert Kilichowski serve on the Capitol Grounds Planning Commission.
Representative Nancy Johnson serves on the Comprehensive Health Association of North
Dakota Board.
Senator Stanley W. Lyson and Representative Stacey Dahl represent the Legislative
Assembly on the State Council for Interstate Adult Offender Supervision.
MAKING THE
GRADE
The June 2009 issue of Stateline Midwest headlines how states are strengthening
requirements for high school graduation and what impact those changes may have on
students. Leading the story is North Dakota's 2009 House Bill No. 1400, which provides for
up to $6,000 in state college and university scholarships for students who complete upper
level coursework. Under the multitier diploma system, students who finish higher level
courses, graduate with at least a grade point average of 3.0, and test at least 24 on the ACT
receive a diploma with academic honors. A diploma with technical honors goes to students
who take additional career and technical education courses and exhibit proficiency on job
skills assessment testing. An optional diploma will be presented to students who after two
years in high school have failed three semester courses or have a grade point average below
the 25th percentile of their school class.