Sessions of the legislative assembly; and to provide an effective date.
Impact
If approved, these amendments would reform how legislative sessions are organized and conducted in North Dakota. By potentially allowing for longer sessions, it could enhance the legislative body's ability to deliberate on bills and address state issues more comprehensively. Furthermore, it aims to provide greater flexibility in scheduling, allowing legislative committees to convene at any time during the biennium, which could improve the efficiency of the legislative process and facilitate a timely response to emerging issues.
Summary
HCR3036 is a concurrent resolution proposing amendments to specific sections of Article IV of the North Dakota Constitution. The bill contemplates changes to how often the legislative assembly can meet, proposing that sessions be held either annually or biennially for a maximum of one hundred days during the biennium. This shift marks a significant change from the previous arrangement which limited the number of days a session could occur and established a structured timeline for organizational meetings following elections. The effective date proposed for these amendments is January 1, 2027, contingent upon voter approval at the general election in 2026.
Contention
Opposition to HCR3036 may arise around the implications of extending legislative sessions and the potential for increased government spending associated with longer periods of operation. Critics could argue that this amendment might lead to less accountability if sessions are elongated, as they could become less focused and more prone to controversy. Additionally, debates may ensue regarding the need for such changes versus maintaining the traditional structure of the legislative calendar, reflecting a tension between efficiency and oversight in legislative governance.
Requiring the governor to call a special session of the legislative assembly to consider a veto if the governor vetoes a bill or item when the legislative assembly is not in session.
The autism voucher; to provide a statement of legislative intent; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide for a report; to provide an effective date; and to declare an emergency.
A transfer of Bank of North Dakota profits to a water infrastructure revolving loan fund; to provide for a transfer; to provide an exemption; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide a report; to provide a penalty; to provide for application; to provide a retroactive effective date; to provide a contingent effective date; to provide an effective date; and to declare an emergency.
A licensed child-placing agency investigation and adoptive child placement; to provide a statement of legislative intent; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide for a legislative management report; to provide a contingent effective date; to provide an effective date; and to declare an emergency.
Legislative compensation; to provide a report; to provide an exemption; to provide for application, transfer, and cancellation of unexpended appropriations; and to declare an emergency.
The homestead tax credit and income tax rates for individuals, estates, and trusts; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide for a legislative management report; to provide an appropriation; to provide an effective date; and to provide an expiration date.
Fuel production facility loan guarantee reserve funding, the housing incentive fund, the powers of the North Dakota pipeline authority, definitions for the clean sustainable energy authority, a clean sustainable energy authority line of credit, and an appropriation from the state fiscal recovery fund; to provide a contingent appropriation; to provide for a transfer; to provide an exemption; to provide for a study; to provide for a report; to provide a statement of legislative intent; to provide an effective date; and to declare an emergency.
The powers and duties of the state auditor and the salary of the state auditor; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide for a legislative management report; and to declare an emergency.