Public Policy Guide 2019 by The FMWF Chamber of Commerce

2019 PUBLIC POLICY GUIDE

A guide to the area’s political and legislative landscape and overview of The Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber’s public policy views and efforts.

#FMWFAdvocacy

A note from the President As the largest local chamber in both Minnesota and North Dakota, we are proud to serve as the voice of business in the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo metropolitan region. Representing more than 2,100 members and over 109,000 employees, we take advocacy and public policy very seriously. The Chamber is interested in the issues that affect our members. Whether lobbying for specific legislation or bringing policy makers and business leaders together at the table, we work to advance sound policy for the business sector. Our ongoing efforts on behalf of the business community have earned us the respect of elected official and employees as a fair, consistent voice for balanced policy that both supports the business community and enhances quality of life. In Minnesota, we strive to protect the funding mechanisms that enable border cities to remain competitive. Taking a regional approach, we seek to support policies that lessen the regulatory burden on businesses that conduct business in both states. This allows for healthy competitive border cities and a stronger overall community. In North Dakota, we continue to be proud of the thriving communities that we represent with Fargo and West Fargo. Our region continues to be a strong and reliable economic engine for North Dakota. Our number one priority continues to be flood protection as it is vital to our area businesses and employees. We strongly support the FM Diversion project and are excited about the progress that has been made thus far. This topic will remain a priority for us until the goal of permanent flood protection has been reached. Another one of our top priorities is higher education. This topic is very important to us due to the strong economic impact it has on our region as well as the correlation it occupies to workforce challenges. Due to these impactful connections, we advocate for strong funding support of higher education as well as policy that encourages collaboration and innovation. We know that solving the workforce challenges will require a collaborative effort. Recruiting and retaining students in the area is an important step in this complicated equation. We must acknowledge the extensive positive effect that higher education has on our region and come together to support and ensure its success. Thank you for your Chamber membership, and I invite you to please join us in our numerous important advocacy efforts.

Craig Whitney

President/CEO, The Chamber

About the Public Policy Committee The Chamber’s Public Policy committee acts as the organization’s advocacy arm, working to advance sound public policy and promote a stable regulatory environment for our business community to thrive. The committee consists of a cross-section of Chamber members who are committed to preserving the integrity of the business climate. Working to assess initiatives with regional significance, subcommittees include Regulatory/Tax/Budget, Transportation/Infrastructure, Work Force/Education, Health Care, Metro Cooperation, and Energy and Natural Resources. Some accomplishments from the last fiscal year include: • Learned about local ballot measures and voted to make official Chamber policy stances against ND Measures 1 and 3 in the general election • Hosted educational election events to connect the community to candidates and issues • Hosted special forums to educate voters and provide opportunities to learn more about local issues, including the farm bill and the governor’s Main Street Initiative • Provided input and suggestions into The Chamber’s Eggs & Issues event 2018-19 Chair: Tim Flakoll, Tri-College University Staff support: Katie Mastel, Public Policy Coordinator Public Policy Program Sponsors

Supporting Sponsor Eventide Senior Living Communities 3

OUR STANCES Energy and Natural Resources Regulatory

The Chamber supports predictability in energy markets by opposing burdensome, unnecessary regulations and mandates that increase costs for businesses and consumers. The Chamber supports responsible regulations driven by and in response to local conditions and needs.

Energy Infrastructure

The Chamber supports the development of essential energy infrastructure including transmission lines, power generation facilities and pipelines to produce and transport local energy to market. The Chamber encourages increasing refining capabilities to drive additional investment in local energy resources, strengthen the economy and increase the availability of a reliable supply of natural resources.

Comprehensive Energy Policy

The Chamber supports the thoughtful development of regional energy resources. Local access to a vast array of resources provides the link to comprehensive energy solutions and supports energy independence.

Environmental Stewardship

The Chamber values our natural environment and encourages responsible stewardship of state water, State Trust Lands, minerals, wildlife and other natural resources.

Education, Training and Workforce Development Alignment of Education and Employment

The Chamber supports the strategic development of a skilled workforce that aligns with regional employment opportunities and encourages increased communication between employers, students and educators. The Chamber supports programs that provide internships, mentorships and on-the-job training opportunities.

Early Education Expansion

The Chamber supports public policies that increase the availability of affordable, quality, early childhood learning opportunities and career advancement opportunities for professionals in the early childhood industry, to meet the burgeoning demand and critical importance of early childhood education.

21st Century Workforce Skills

The Chamber encourages a curriculum that emphasizes science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) as well as the acquisition of resources necessary to support the STEAM disciplines. Additionally, The Chamber encourages the modernization of education to incorporate effective new technologies and cutting-edge teaching methods beginning with middle and high school learning.

Diversity

The Chamber supports an educational and employment environment that embraces a diverse workforce and capitalizes on unique talents.

Education Finances

The Chamber supports the allocation of financial resources to support student success. Funding should leverage programs that increase retention and on-time graduation, attract and retain the most effective teachers and accurately reflect population growth. Regarding higher education, The Chamber supports increased programs that increase students understanding of postsecondary education including costs, employment prospects and earning potential in their chosen fields. The Chamber recognizes quality career academy and higher education as one of its top priorities that ensures the economic vitality of our region. The Chamber advocates for a funding level that reflects the importance of higher education and the workforce shortage in order to see the continued success of higher education in North Dakota adequately preparing middle and high school, academy and college students for the workforce.

OUR STANCES Strategic Workforce Development

The Chamber recognizes the continued need to train, recruit and retain a talented workforce and encourages an integrated approach to meet the workforce needs of employers and employees. The Chamber supports the expansion of the H-1B and J1 visa programs to reform the highly-skilled immigration program, the development and expansion of public and private outreach efforts to promote local opportunities and the strengthening of career counseling programs to reflect all options and opportunities available to graduates after high school.

Retention Initiatives

The Chamber is aware that along with attracting a dynamic workforce, there is equal value in developing quality of life programs and initiatives that retain said workforce.

The Chamber advocates for the continuation of the current higher education funding formula in North Dakota and the ability of students to transfer credits they have earned, which lead to timely graduation. The Chamber advocates for continuous and, if necessary, bold improvements to higher education governance.

OUR STANCES

Health Care Health Information Exchanges

The Chamber supports the confidential exchange of health information to facilitate access to and retrieval of clinical data regardless of the setting of treatment. This exchange of information will reduce the duplication of services, reduce costs and increase the quality and efficiency of care.

Public Funding

The Chamber supports policies that address regional funding disparities for health care providers to ensure continued access to health care services, including mental health.

Long-Term Care

The Chamber supports policies that incentivize individuals for and saving for their long-term care needs while targeting limited public dollars toward those who can least afford their own care. Given the projected wave of seniors utilizing long-term care, The Chamber encourages greater participation in information sharing by employers and employees and supports innovation in the delivery of long-term care that promotes consumer choice and reduces costs.

Health Promotion

The Chamber supports investments in evidence based worksite wellness programs that encourages a personal responsibility role in reducing the costs of health care.

Innovative Health Care Strategies The Chamber recognizes the need for affordable health care and supports public policies that address the growing cost of care including: the promotion of wellness programs, the implementation of telehealth, tele-pharmacy and other innovations, the examination of medical liability laws and supporting payment methodologies that reward providers for quality, coordinated care and the management of chronic diseases.

Healthy People/Healthy Communities Improve the health of North Dakotans and Minnesotans by supporting prevention and proven interventions to address behavioral, social, environmental determinants of health, including housing and nutrition and access to high-quality, costeffective health care. 6

Regulatory, Economic Development and Tax Policy

OUR STANCES

Tax Relief

The Chamber supports the continued reduction of property taxes, business taxes, individual income tax and sales tax while recognizing the need to maintain local control. The Chamber strongly supports the examination of reducing the state income tax to zero as a means to attract workforce and reward personal and corporate success.

Border City Competitiveness

The Chamber will continue to support programs that allow Minnesota border cities to be competitive, including Local Government Aid and the Disparity Reduction Credit. The Chamber will support efforts to eliminate business to business taxes as well as protect and create new border-city exemptions.

Entrepreneurship

The Chamber supports ventures that foster the formation and advancement of business incubators to encourage start-ups, accelerate time to market and increase the rate of long-term success. The Chamber encourages the advancement of programs that provide access to capital or spur capital investment in the private sector to promote and support entrepreneurship.

Tax Incentives

The Chamber supports the viability of tax incentives that support workforce participation.

Global Trade

The Chamber supports efforts to expand fair global trade opportunities for North Dakota and Minnesota businesses by removing trade sanctions and barriers and enforcing existing trade agreements. The Chamber recognizes that foreign trade distortions require a balanced trade policy.

Tort Reform and Legal Climate

The Chamber supports identifying opportunities to improve the legal climate to be fair and predictable for all parties and to discourage the practice of costly, frivolous lawsuits.

Special Assessments

The Chamber supports studying all reasonable options in regards to special assessment reform. The Chamber also supports a community conversation that encompasses a public education effort of its complexities and proposed fixes.

OUR STANCES

Flood Protection

Permanent Flood Protection The Chamber holds permanent flood protection as one of its highest priorities to help protect the economic vitality of our region. The Chamber supports the FM Area Diversion project as the best solution to reduce the flood risk in the metropolitan area and provide protection of lives and property, as well as avoid recuperation costs and ensure economic opportunity. The Chamber recognizes this as a metro-wide issue facing everyone, not just one city over another.

Multiple Funding Sources The Chamber supports the allocation of financial resources for the construction and maintenance of the diversion project from all available local, state and federal partners.

Impact Mitigation The Chamber recognizes that achieving the necessary flood risk reduction will not come without a cost and encourages sponsors and stakeholders to make every effort to minimize the impact to affected landowners.

Quality of Life The Chamber supports the integration of recreational opportunities into the development of the diversion project to contribute to a healthy, vibrant economy.

Planning, Transportation and Infrastructure Comprehensive Transportation Planning

The Chamber supports a quality, multi-modal transportation system that allows people and goods to move efficiently, conveniently and safely into and around the metropolitan area. The Chamber supports efforts to develop, integrate and maintain rail, air, bus and pedestrian services, including the expansion of services to new growth areas.

Planning, Transportation and Infrastructure Strategic Development

The Chamber supports a strategic and

Transportation Infrastructure Investments

synergetic approach toward community

The Chamber supports investments in the

development and will participate in such

National Highway System, Minnesotaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

initiatives. This includes implementation

Interregional Corridors, and the solvency

of proven economic tools to promote

of the Highway Trust Fund through the

investments in the greater metropolitan

examination of the motor fuel tax to

area. Additionally, The Chamber supports

ensure adequate resources are available

an unbiased study of construction and/

for transportation infrastructure needs.

or expansion of a multi-functional convention center to accommodate

Water Infrastructure

enhanced professional, educational,

The Chamber understands the increase

cultural and recreational opportunities.

in residential, commercial, industrial and

Rail Safety and Efficiency

agricultural water use places a growing demand on existing water supplies that

Support minimizing risk of accidents

will be inadequate during periods of

and initiatives that enhance traffic flow.

drought. The need to supplement the

Support ongoing efforts for public

water supply to the Red River Valley has

outreach and first responder training to

been clearly demonstrated; therefore,

ensure officials are properly informed and

The Chamber supports the prioritization

trained to respond to potential situations.

and advancement of the Red River Valley

Technology Infrastructure The Chamber supports the continued investment in technology in our communities.

Air Service & Pilot Shortage

Water Supply Project to ensure the availability of a long-term, high-quality water supply.

Community/Cultural Assets The Chamber supports the continual investment in community assets and

The Chamber supports the vitality of air

improving the quality of life, which may

service to ensure sustainable access for

include building a convention center

commerce. The Chamber also recognizes

and/or performing arts center.

the importance of quality, predictable and affordable service to support our business in the region. The Chamber realizes that the nation is facing a major shortage of military and commercial pilots, and thus, advocates for additional programs and efforts as well as reducing the regulatory burden, in order to encourage pilots training and qualification. 9

OUR STANCES

Residential/Commercial Development Housing Attainability The Chamber supports public and private efforts to provide adequate and attainable housing in the region for all local residents in the form of affordable, safe and quality housing for purchase or rent. The Chamber supports subdivision and zoning regulations that encourage efficient, orderly development, while allowing flexible and innovative development strategies.

Development and Infill The Chamber supports initiatives that promote a balance of diverse housing stock by providing new housing in outlying areas, while revitalizing the cores of our cities through thoughtful infill development.

Economics of Construction The Chamber supports an atmosphere friendly to construction of residential and commercial structures to serve local residents. The Chamber supports incentives that sustain a robust business sector, encourages homeownership, and the creation of neighborhoods to maintain strong, vibrant communities. It recognizes that investment in residential/commercial development has a ripple effect felt throughout a multitude of industries through job creation and consumer spending.

Consistent, Reasonable Codes The Chamber supports efforts for consistency among local jurisdictions in regard to residential and commercial building code.

OUR STANCES

Emerging Opportunities for Commerce Unmanned Autonomous Vehicles The Chamber will be a strong voice supporting the safe integration of autonomous systems while addressing any security or privacy issues that might arise.

Cybersecurity The Chamber supports technology advances that support the security and privacy of business and personal information.

SIIF (Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund) The Chamber supports a reevaluation of the current distribution formula of North Dakota’s oil tax. This includes a review and changes to the tax that can improve the short and long-term infrastructure backbone in Cass County and across the state.

Business Infrastructure The Chamber acknowledges the detrimental effect of vacated commercial spaces including “big box” buildings with large amounts of unutilized square footage. The Chamber supports efforts of the public and private sectors to determine promote and activate creative solutions for repurposing of these vacated commercial spaces.

Military - Prevention and Defense The Chamber supports our local military, especially the Air National Guard, and will continue to advocate that they are not negatively affected by the next round of base closures due to the important missions they carry out that are crucial to our nation’s security.

Additional Provisions Public policy can be a dynamic, fast-paced process that at times requires swift action in order to support or oppose critical, but unexpected ideas or proposals. The FMWF Chamber President/CEO is authorized to take a position on behalf of The Chamber’s best interests on issue(s) not covered in the Policy Guide provided that they have secured approval from the Board of Directors. 11

Tim Walz

MINNESOTA Constitutional Officers Governor Tim Walz Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan Attorney General Keith Ellison Secretary of State Steve Simon State Auditor Julie Blaha

Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea Barry Anderson David Lillehaug Natalie Hudson Margaret Chutich Paul Thissen Anne McKeig

In Minnesota, constitutional officers include the governor/ lieutenant governor, attorney general, state auditor, and the secretary of state. Offices including the commissioner of education, commissioner of agriculture and commissioner of revenue are appointed positions.

Doug Burgum

NORTH DAKOTA Constitutional Officers Governor Doug Burgum Lieutenant Governor Brent Sanford Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem State Auditor Josh Gallion Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread Secretary of State Alvin A. Jaeger Tax Commissioner Ryan Rauschenberger State Treasurer Kelly Schmidt Superintendent of Public Schools Kirsten Baesler

Public Service Commission Randy Christmann, Chair Julie Fedorchak Brian Kroshus

North Dakota Supreme Court

Chief Justice Gerald W. VandeWalle Daniel Crothers Lisa Fair McEvers Jerod Tufte Jon Jensen 13

MINNESOTA Congressional Delegation

Senator Amy Klobuchar 302 Hart Senator Office Building Washington, DC 20510 | 202.224.3244 121 Fourth Street South | Moorhead, MN 56560 218.287.2930 | klobuchar.senate.gov

Amy Klobuchar

Senator Tina Smith 309 Hart Senate Building Washington, DC 20510 | 202.224.5641 819 Center Avenue, Suite 2A | Moorhead, MN 56560 218.284.8721 | tsmith.senate.gov Representative Collin Peterson 2204 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 | 202.225.2165 714 Lake Avenue, Suite 107 | Detroit Lakes, MN 56501 218.847.5056 | collinpeterson.house.gov Minnesota State Legislature State Capitol Building 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Saint Paul, MN 55155 651.296.8338 | leg.state.mn.us

Tina Smith

Collin Peterson

NORTH DAKOTA Congressional Delegation

Senator John Hoeven 338 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 | 202.224.2551 1802 32nd Avenue, Suite B | Fargo, ND 58103 701.239.5289 | hoeven.senate.gov Senator Kevin Cramer *Contact information not available at time of printing

John Hoeven

Representative Kelly Armstrong 1004 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 *Contact information not available at time of printing North Dakota State Legislature State Capitol Building | 600 East Boulevard Avenue Bismarck, ND 58505 Legislative Council | 701.328.2916 | legis.nd.gov Kevin Cramer

Kelly Armstrong

MINNESOTA

District 4

Sen. Kent Eken 651.296.3205 sen.kent.eken@senate.mn

State Legislature

District 4A

Rep. Ben Lien 651.296.5515 rep.ben.lien@house.mn

MINNESOTA 4B

Moorhead

NORTH DAKOTA

District 4B

Rep. Paul Marquart 651.296.6829 rep.paul.marquart@house.mn

NORTH DAKOTA

State Legislature

District 11

District 13

Rep. Gretchen Dobervich gdobervich@nd.gov

Rep. Kim Koppelman kkoppelman@nd.gov

Rep. Ron Guggisberg rguggisberg@nd.gov

Rep. Austen Schauer aschauer@nd.gov

District 16

District 21

Rep. Ben Koppelman bkoppelman@nd.gov

Rep. LaurieBeth Hager lbhager@nd.gov

Rep. Andrew Marschall amarschall@nd.gov

Rep. Mary Schneider mschneider@nd.gov

District 22

District 27

Rep.Michael Howe mchowe@nd.gov

Rep. Thomas Beadle tbeadle@nd.gov

Rep.Brandy Pyle bpyle@nd.gov

Rep. Ruth Buffalo rbuffalo@nd.gov

District 41

District 44

Rep. Pamela Anderson pkanderson@nd.gov

Rep. Josh Boschee jboschee@nd.gov

Rep. Michelle Strinden mstrinden@nd.gov

Rep. Karla Rose Hanson krhanson@nd.gov

District 45

District 46

Rep. Mary Johnson marycjohnson@nd.gov

Rep. Jim Kasper jkasper@nd.gov

Rep. Tom Kading tkading@nd.gov

Rep. Shannon Roers Jones sroersjones@nd.gov

Sen. Tim Mathern tmathern@nd.gov

Sen. David Clemens dclemens@nd.gov

Sen. Gary Lee galee@nd.gov

Sen. Kyle Davison kdavison@nd.gov

Sen. Ronald Sorvaag rsorvaag@nd.gov

Sen. Judy Lee jlee@nd.gov

Sen. Kathy Hogan khogan@nd.gov

Sen. Kristin Roers kroers@nd.gov

Sen. Merrill Piepkorn mpeipkorn@nd.gov

Sen. Jim Roers jroers@nd.gov

MINNESOTA

Local Leaders

Moorhead City Council 218.299.5305 | ci.moorhead.mn.us Mayor Johnathan Judd johnathan.judd@ci.moorhead.mn.us

Johnathan Judd

First Ward Sara Watson Curry | sara.watson.curry@ci.moorhead.mn.us Shelly Dahlquist | shelly.dahlquist@ci.moorhead.mn.us Second Ward Heidi Durand | heidi.durand@ci.moorhead.mn.us Shelly Carlson | shelly.carlson@ci.moorhead.mn.us Third Ward Deb White | deb.white@ci.moorhead.mn.us Joel Paulson | joel.paulsen@ci.moorhead.mn.us Fourth Ward Steve Gehrtz | steve.gehrtz@ci.moorhead.mn.us Chuck Hendrickson | chuck.hendrickson@ci.moorhead.mn.us

Dilworth City Council 218.287.2313 | dilworthcitymn.com Mayor Chad Olson chad.olson@ci.dilworth.mn.us

Chad Olson

Elected City Officials of Dilworth Jim Aasness | jim.aasness@ci.dilworth.mn.us Steven Jesme | steve.jesme@ci.dilworth.mn.us Julie Nash | julie.nash@ci.dilworth.mn.us Kevin Spaulding | kevin.spaulding@ci.dilworth.mn.us

Clay County Commission 218.299.5002 | co.clay.mn.us District 1 Jim Haney | 218.979.1085 | jim.haney@co.clay.mn.us District 2 Frank Gross | 218.2872152 | frank.gross@co.clay.mn.us District 3 Jenny Mongeau | 701.238.2987 | jenny.mongeau@co.clay.mn.us District 4 Kevin Campbell | 701.318.0030 | kevin.campbell@co.clay.mn.us District 5 Grant Weyland | 218.236.6557 | grant.weyland@co.clay.mn.us 18

NORTH DAKOTA Local Leaders

Tim Mahoney

Dave Piepkorn | 701.809.5449 | dpiepkorn@fargond.gov John Strand | 701.241.1310 | jstrand@fargond.gov

West Fargo City Commission 701.433.5317 | westfargond.gov Mayor Bernie Dardis 701.367.2784 | bernie.dardis@westfargond.gov West Fargo City Commisioners Eric Gjerdevig | eric.gjerdevig@westfargond.gov Brad Olson | brad.olson@westfargond.gov Mark Simmons | mark.simmons@westfargond.gov Mike Thorstad | mike.thorstad@westfargond.gov

Bernie Dardis

Cass County Commission 701.241.5720 | casscountynd.gov District 1 Chad Peterson | petersonc@casscountynd.gov District 2 Rick Steen | steenr@casscountynd.gov District 3 Vern Bennett | vbennett@casscountynd.gov District 4 Duane Breitling | not available at time of print District 5 Mary Scherling | scherlingm@casscountynd.gov 19

Legislator Contacts Contacting a Legislator in Minnesota Minnesota legislators are assigned offices and a legislative assistant to help coordinate their work and constituent requests. Staff members can be very helpful in ensuring legislators receive your communications. In addition, calling, writing letters to their physical address and emailing are all acceptable means of communication. While visiting the Minnesota Capitol, meetings with your legislator can be arranged through their legislative assistant. They can also advise you on how to call a legislator out of a committee meeting or off the Senate or House Floor. How to Locate Your Minnesota Legislator Visit house.leg.state.mn.us/members/hmem.asp or senate.leg.state.mn.us/members/index.php to find out who your Minnesota legislator is.

Contacting a Legislator in North Dakota House and Senate leaders are the only members assigned an office and receive assistance from a legislative staff member. During a session, all legislators can be reached by leaving a message with the legislative telephone message center or by physical addresses listed on their biographies. North Dakota Legislative Telephone Message Center 1.888.NDLEGIS (635.3447) or 701.328.3373 North Dakota Legislator Email Addresses Legislators also have access to email and their addresses may be found at legis.nd.gov/contact-my-legislators.

Advocacy explained One of the foundational pillars of our Chamber is advocacy. We take our work in public policy seriously, and we believe it’s one of the best, though intangible, benefits of Chamber membership. By definition Advocacy refers to the activities a group engages in with the aim to influence decisions within political, economic and social systems and institutions. Advocacy at The Chamber is displayed in a variety of ways: engagement within and from our Public Policy committee, actively taking stances on critical issues, election education, encouragement of voter participation, and serving as a resource for information and connections to best serve our members’ interests. Public policy doesn’t mean politics—though it does often involve government. Rather, it refers to issues that affect businesses and individuals. This can be legislation, regulation, or even cultural and social movements. They are governing principles that affect all of us every day. We’ll monitor and work for these issues because we know you’re busy running your own business. A collective voice through an association like a chamber matters because we can do more together. With your support, we can work for you, for the community. We know that a strong business climate is essential for economic growth and prosperity as a region. The Chamber has continually spoken out on issues that are critical to our members, and this past year was no exception. Hot-button issues included the Fargo Diversion, talks of a convention or performing arts center, proposals to dramatically reform special assessments, legislation for Air Traffic Control Privatization at the federal level, the Moorhead Grade Separation, Safety and Mobility Project, and the mid-term elections.

Select Legislative Terminology Biennium

The two-year period by which North Dakota and Minnesota budgets are set. Unless called into special session, lawmakers in North Dakota meet once during the biennium, while Minnesota lawmakers have a flexible schedule, which means by law, they are not required to meet annually but are authorized to do so.

Bill

A proposal calling for a new law, a change in current law, the repeal of current law, or a constitutional amendment is drafted into a bill for consideration by the legislative bodies.

Caucus

House and Senate members of the same political party or faction meet a “caucus” to elect leadership and discuss priorities.

Companion Bills

In Minnesota, identical bills can be introduced in the House and the Senate. The bills can be passed out of both chambers into committees for further action. If both bills return to the House and Senate floor, a conference committee would be appointed to work out the differences. Companion bills are not used in North Dakota as typically a bill is introduced in the House or the Senate, is referred to a committee. Once it returns to the House or Senate floor it is voted on and if passed, sent to the second house. If the bill is amended by the second house, a conference committee ultimately is appointed to work out the differences.

Concurrence

When changes or amendments are made to a proposal, the original body can concur or not concur. Concurrence is an action in which one body approves or adopts a proposal or action taken by the other house. 22

Conference Committee

A group of members from the House and Senate appointed to resolve differences in a proposal passed by both chambers in different forms.

Consent Calendar

Typically non-controversial bills that are awaiting their second reading.

Fiscal Note

Fiscal notes are intended to be an objective assessment on the price tag on proposed legislation on the change in expenditures and revenues that will result from a bill.

Interim

The months between adjournment of one regular session and the next is referred to as the “interim.” When the legislature is not in session, committees continue to work on assigned studies and often produce legislation to introduce in the following session.

Journals

The official records of the House and Senate. Records are recorded and posted on their respective legislative websites.

Lobbyist

Lobbyists are individuals who are hired, or act on their own behalf to influence action in a particular manner. Information on how to register as a lobbyist, rules and reporting requirements can be accessed from each state’s Secretary of State office.

Referendum

Legislatures can refer law making proposals to the voters by passing a referendum. The referendum would be placed on the ballot for a vote.

Upcoming Dates & Events 2019 North Dakota Legislative Dates January 3: Session begins January 14: Deadline for Representatives to introduce bill January 21: Deadline for Senators to introduce bills February 19: Bills and resolutions except constitutional amendment and study resolutions must be reported out of committee in house of origin. Deadline for introducing amendments to the Constitution of North Dakota and study resolutions. February 22: Crossover date for bills February 25,26: Recess April 3: Bills and resolutions must be reported out of committee in second house April 30: Session is limited to 80 legislative days

2019 Minnesota Legislative Dates January 8: Session begins May 20: Session must end *There is no yearly deadline for the introduction of bills. However, each year the Legislature establishes deadlines for committee action on bills. Committee deadlines are announced during the first half of a session in order to winnow the list of topics to be dealt with that year.

#FMWFAdvocacy

This guide was developed by the Public Policy committee and adopted by the Board of Directors of the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce. Photography provided by 5foot20 design lounge, Explore Minnesota Tourism, and North Dakota Tourism/Clayton Wolt. 202 First Avenue North | Moorhead, Minnesota 56560 218.233.1100 | fmwfchamber.com