BISMARCK — The North Dakota House of Representatives on Monday, April 28, voted down a bill designed to set the start date for when lawmakers’ time in office starts counting toward their term limits.

House Bill 1300

was originally introduced by Rep. Ben Koppelman, R-West Fargo, to set the effective date of the legislation as Nov. 7, 2022. It was then amended by Sen. Janne Myrdal, R-Edinburg, to change the effective date to Jan. 1, 2023.

Under Myrdal’s proposal, lawmakers elected in the 2022 election would not have their time in office start counting toward their term-limited time until after their next election in 2026. Under Koppelman’s proposal, the term they were elected for in 2022 would count toward their time served for term limits.

Both argued that their chosen date would stand up better in court should term limits face litigation.

The House originally failed the bill when it was returned from the Senate amended. However, the following day, it was brought back and passed with the understanding that it would go to a conference committee and the House would have another chance to advocate for their chosen date. The Senate’s Jan. 1, 2023, date was decided on and returned from conference committee.

“This bill came to us here before. We killed it. And then they said let’s bring it back to the conference committee so we can keep our position,” Rep. Steve Vetter, R-Grand Forks, said on the House floor. “It doesn’t look like we kept our position, so I would ask for a red (no) vote.”

The House voted 61-28 to fail the bill.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 4008

, passed earlier this session, would make several changes to term limits, including setting the effective date for the start of time counted toward term limits as Jan. 1, 2023. Because the resolution would make changes to the state’s Constitution, it will go before voters as a measure before taking effect, likely on the 2026 general election ballot.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KMOT/KFYR) – Washington D.C. residents cheered on our nation’s heroes as they arrived at the Capital Sunday morning for the Western North Dakota Honor Flight.

Two D.C. residents, Scott and Deb Gould spent their morning welcoming our veterans at Dulles International Airport.

While they don’t have ties to North Dakota, they said they have an absolute respect for those who served.

It’s also their first time doing something like this, and they said it will definitely not be the last.

As the veterans came in, the Gould family couldn’t hold back their tears.

“It’s just a little bit of giving back and these men and women didn’t necessarily get this when they came back. It’s a honor and a privilege to do that. We’re glad they’re here to be able to come to DC for the day,” said Scott Gould.

The veterans spent most of today touring D.C.

On Monday, they’ll be visiting the U.S. Capitol among other sites before they return to Minot.

They’re scheduled to arrive at 7 p.m., and everyone is encouraged to gather at the airport and welcome them home.

Copyright 2025 KFYR. All rights reserved.

On this date in 1950, Uncle Sam was $500 richer, thanks to a grateful North Dakota businessman who had a deep and lasting love for his country.

Here’s the complete story as it appeared in the paper that day:

Uncle Sam was $500 richer this week, thanks to a grateful North Dakota businessman who has a deep and lasting love for his country.

J. S. Lamb, internal revenue collector for North Dakota, said in Fargo Wednesday that the money was enclosed with a federal income tax return.

With the form was a letter which read: “The other check for $500 is to witness our gratitude to a free, good land for its opportunities and blessings enjoyed by us and our enumerated exemptions.

“Considering the prosperity and freedom we have known and wishing to do more than is required of us, we make this gift to help keep our country free.”

Lamb said the $500 is being forwarded to Washington where it will be credited to the national defense fund.