Members of the North Dakota House of Representatives may be able to participate in meetings and vote remotely if a recommended rule change is passed by the full chamber. 

The House Rules Committee on Tuesday voted unanimously to give the speaker of the House authority over whether lawmakers can participate remotely during floor sessions or committee meetings.

North Dakota Speaker of the House Rep. Robin Weisz, R-Hurdsfield, who was elected to lead the chamber Monday, introduced the rule during the meeting and said members are going to need adequate reasoning to use the remote option.

“Currently, there is no remote participation and I’m, frankly, a believer in that, but there are circumstances where that may necessitate someone being allowed to participate remotely,” Weisz said.

He added going to a wedding, or a conference, would not be a good enough excuse to warrant remote participation. If a member broke a leg and was unable to make it onto the floor physically, he said, that situation could warrant remote attendance.

The change to the House rule adds “a member may not participate on the floor remotely unless the Speaker has determined circumstances dictate remote participation is necessitated.” 

The Senate already has a rule to allow remote participation. 

Emily Thompson, legal division director for the Legislative Council, said remote participation rules were put into place in both chambers as part of the 2021 legislative session during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the House’s rules expired before the 2023 session. She said the Senate has continued to operate under similar rules, but the remote participation authority resides with the Senate majority leader.

Thompson said the House speaker’s authority would also be needed for remote participation in committee meetings during the session.

The House and Senate will each vote on rule changes Wednesday. 

House Majority Leader Rep. Mike Lefor, R-Dickinson, said the Legislature has the technology and the ability to conduct remote participation for its members, but also believes remote access should be used sparingly.

“It better be a really good reason,” Lefor said. 

JAMESTOWN — A man reportedly shooting a gun died after being shot by a Jamestown police officer early Tuesday, Dec. 3, in downtown Jamestown, according to Maj. Justin Blinsky, assistant chief of police for the Jamestown Police Department.

Blinsky said in a news release issued on Tuesday that the Stutsman County Communications Center received a 911 call at 1:17 a.m. Tuesday of a male armed with a gun and a knife standing in the parking lot behind Fred’s Den bar, 113 1st Ave. S. The caller reported the male had been involved in a physical altercation inside the bar and had been removed.

Blinsky said Jamestown police officers immediately responded to the area, and as they responded, the 911 caller said the male had started shooting at the building. The suspect fired many rounds, Blinsky said. The first officer arriving at the scene immediately located the suspect, who was still firing rounds from a rifle in the parking lot. The officer ordered the suspect to put his weapon down, but the suspect refused and jeopardized the safety of the officer, Blinsky said. The officer shot the male suspect.

Officers rendered first aid to the suspect, and he was transported to Jamestown Regional Medical Center, where he died, Blinsky said.

The name of the suspect is not being released until the next of kin can be notified, Blinsky said. The North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation is investigating the incident, he said. The officers involved in this incident have been placed on standard administrative leave while the incident is investigated.

The Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office, Jamestown Area Ambulance and the North Dakota BCI assisted in this incident.

Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of “staff.” Often, the “staff” byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – An investigation by the Burleigh County State’s Attorney’s office into Burleigh County Auditor and Treasurer Mark Splonskowski has identified a possible violation of the Hatch Act.

The investigation is centered around a group text message acquired by Burleigh County State’s Attorney Julie Lawyer from Splonskowski’s personal phone during work hours advising 66 other people to not vote for Burleigh County Commissioner Brian Bitner.

“The body of the text read, ‘I’m just letting you know from the perspective of being the county auditor for a year and a half, please do not vote for Brian Bitner for County Commissioner. If you want more details as to why, let me know. Also, let your friends know too. Thanks,‘” said Burleigh County State’s Attorney Julie Lawyer.

Lawyer said if Splonskowski is found guilty of a Hatch Act violation by the Federal Office of Special Council, the county commission would lose twice that employee’s annual salary in federal grant funds. She also said that as an elected employee, Splonskowski cannot be fired for a Hatch Act violation.

We reached out to Splonskowski for comment and have not heard back yet.

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