North Dakota

North Dakota lawmakers consider new term limits, in wake of voter-passed measure

Published

2 years ago

March 9, 2023

North Dakota lawmakers consider new term limits, in wake of voter-passed measure

North Dakota lawmakers are contemplating crafting new time period limits for themselves and setting the identical for all government department officers in a proposal that might override restrictions voters permitted final fall.

The Home Trade, Enterprise and Labor Committee on Wednesday heard Home Concurrent Decision 3019 by Rep. Jim Kasper, R-Fargo. The measure must cross the Home of Representatives and the Senate and be permitted by voters subsequent 12 months to take impact.

Lawmakers through the listening to extensively questioned the 2022 time period limits committee chairman over the measure’s provisions, and its marketing campaign funding, spending and relationship to the nationwide group, U.S. Time period Limits, which seeks time period limits on Congress. Lawmakers additionally requested about what they referred to as misrepresentation of the measure to voters, as to whom the time period limits would apply.

Final 12 months, 63% of voters permitted the time period limits for eight cumulative years every within the Home and the Senate. The governor can’t be elected to greater than two four-year phrases. Time period limits are usually not retroactive, that means the service of present officeholders doesn’t rely towards them.

Notary commission yanked for player in North Dakota term limits measure

Notably, the measure’s language additionally bars the Legislature from proposing amendments to change or repeal the time period limits; solely residents are ready to take action. Kasper, who was first elected in 2000, mentioned he “would like to have this in courtroom,” calling the 2022 measure flawed and unconstitutional.

The Home panel amended the decision to impose time period limits of 12 consecutive years every within the Home and Senate, with no less than a four-year break earlier than these lawmakers may run to serve once more for one more 12 consecutive years. Members who accomplished serving partial phrases can be eligible to serve 12 extra consecutive years.

The identical limits would apply to all elected government department officers, such because the legal professional common and secretary of state.

“The folks of North Dakota have spoken. They mentioned they need time period limits, so this can be a modification of the present time period restrict legislation. This isn’t a throwing out of time period limits. It is only a modification,” Kasper instructed the Home panel.

The committee gave the amended decision an 11-3 “do cross” suggestion, with a Home vote possible subsequent week.

Lawmakers opposed Measure 1 final 12 months for decreasing institutional data within the Legislature. Gov. Doug Burgum supported the measure.

The measure additionally was mired in petition fraud allegations that reached the state Supreme Court docket, which ordered a public vote on the measure that the then-secretary of state had initially rejected.

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Time period limits supporter Jared Hendrix, of Fargo.

TOM STROMME, TRIBUNE

Measure chairman

Measure Chairman Jared Hendrix opposes Kasper’s decision, calling it unconstitutional and saying a possible lawsuit can be a “frivolous expenditure of state funds.”

He referred to as Kasper’s proposal “successfully not time period limits,” amounting to “48 years between each chambers.”

Hendrix mentioned the measure “may very well be price supporting” if amended to carry the opposite statewide officeholders according to the time period limits voters permitted for the governor and the Legislature.

He additionally mentioned the Legislature may put to voters whether or not to abolish the prohibition on legislative proposals to alter the time period limits.

“You could possibly come again if that have been to cross by the folks, after which you can deal with the time period limits within the Legislature in two years,” Hendrix instructed the Home panel.

Committee Chair Scott Louser, R-Minot, recommended Hendrix “for coming earlier than the committee and standing for what you imagine.”

Extra days

Kasper additionally launched Home Concurrent Decision 3020 for annual legislative classes, which the Home panel amended to present the Legislature 100 days for assembly each two years, with an extra 20 days if permitted by a two-thirds majority vote of the Home and Senate. Days to reconvene and rethink a governor’s veto would not rely.

Proper now the Legislature can meet for as much as 80 days each two years. Kasper mentioned he introduced 3020 to allow extra expertise for brand new lawmakers within the time period limits period.

“Present legislation, with out this invoice, we may have annual classes by simply doing it,” Kasper mentioned. “However what that is saying is that if we’ll go to annual classes, we’ll want slightly bit bigger than probably 40 days every year, so that is saying we are able to have biennial classes or the management can resolve we’ll have annual classes.”

The committee gave 3020 an 8-6 “do cross” suggestion.

Attain Jack Dura at 701-223-8482 or jack.dura@bismarcktribune.com.

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North Dakota

Deer mice in North Dakota

Published

5 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Press Room

What is the most abundant mammal in North America? I saw that question used in trivia recently. The answer was deer mouse. I am not so sure about that, in part because deer mouse is used to refer to a genus of mice as well one of the species of the genus. Either way, deer mice are certainly one of the contenders.

There are over a dozen species of small mammals that the casual observer may refer to as mice in North Dakota. That would include the house mouse, deer mice, voles, pocket mice, jumping mice, and shrews. The term deer mouse is used to refer to mice in the genus Peromyscus. Most are gray or reddish brown with a white underbelly, white feet, and comparatively large ears. And they are often characterized as having large “bulging” eyes. Robert Seabloom in his Mammals of North Dakota lists two species of Peromyscus in North Dakota.

What is commonly known as a deer mouse (P. maniculatus), a species of the grasslands, is common and abundant throughout the state. They are around 6 inches long, including a tail about 2.5 inches long. Although juveniles may be gray, adults are usually a brown to grayish-brown. Seabloom also notes that they have “distinctly” bicolored tails which helps in identification.

The deer mouse feeds largely on seeds and insects. Home range for these mice is around 2-3 acres. They are prey to several animals including snakes, hawks, owls, and fox. They are also a major carrier of the hantavirus.

The white-footed deer mouse (P. leucopus) is a species of wooded areas, and as such is less common. It is similar in appearance to the deer mouse but is perhaps a bit larger. Seabloom also notes that their “indistinctly bicolored tail” is a key characteristic in identification.

Like the deer mouse, the white-footed deer mouse feeds largely on seeds and insects. Acorns can also be an important food item. Their home range is less than that of a deer mouse, averaging around one acre

If you are interested in more information on the biology, ecology, and identification of these and other North Dakota mammals, I suggest you check out Mammals of North Dakota by UND professor emeritus Robert Seabloom. First published in 2011, it is now in its second edition.

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North Dakota

North Dakota House considers bills on AI in political ads, ‘deepfakes’ • North Dakota Monitor

Published

13 hours ago

January 17, 2025

Press Room

North Dakota House considers bills on AI in political ads, ‘deepfakes’ • North Dakota Monitor

Artificial intelligence used for political purposes would require a disclaimer under a bill proposed in the North Dakota Legislature.

The House Government and Veterans Affairs Committee held a hearing Friday on House Bill 1167 that would require a “prominent disclaimer” on any political communication or political advertisement created wholly or in part by artificial intelligence tools.

The disclaimer must read: “This content generated by artificial intelligence.”

Bill sponsor Rep. Jonathan Warrey, R-Casselton, said he expects AI use in political communications to become a much bigger issue in the future.

Rep. Jonathan Warrey, R-Casselton, speaks during a committee hearing on Jan. 17, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

“There are other states taking action on this to provide some protections in place, and I think the overall theme is very sound,” Warrey said.

He added the bill was crafted through consultation with the Secretary of State’s Office and creates a new provision under the Corrupt Practices section of North Dakota Century Code, making any violation punishable by a Class A misdemeanor.

Deputy Secretary of State Sandy McMerty testified in support of the bill. She said AI can be used to help create graphics, write a newsletter and other communication.

However, if AI is used in political communication, she said the public should be informed. McMerty likened the new policy to statements politicians are already required to attach to their political ads that say who paid for the ad.

Terry Effertz, executive director of advocacy group TechND, testified against the bill, telling lawmakers the proposal is too broad.

“The bill, to be honest, is a reaction to hypothetical concerns, rather than a solution to documented harm,” Effertz said. “AI is evolving and hasty legislation in this area could inhibit legitimate uses while failing to address the actual risks.”

Terry Effertz, executive director of TechND, speaks during a committee hearing on Jan. 17, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

Because AI has become widely embedded in digital content and software, it could lead to “disclosure overload,” she said.

“Really what we need to focus on is the fact that deepfakes are the real threat here,” Effertz said.

A separate proposal, House Bill 1320, would outlaw the fraudulent use of deepfake videos and images in North Dakota.

Deepfakes, or videos, images or recordings manipulated by generative AI, have caused concerns about spreading misinformation. The bill would make the creation, possession and release of deepfake videos and images, without the consent of the person featured, a Class A misdemeanor.

Rep. Josh Christy, R-Fargo, the prime sponsor of the bill, said deepfakes are a threat to North Dakotans because it’s become more difficult to determine what is real and what is fake.

He said the intent of his bill is to prevent someone from using someone else’s likeness without permission. The bill is not limited to deepfakes used for political purposes.

“If I’m able to take a video of you, upload it to a service, and then be able to represent you in a way that you don’t want, it’s not a good thing,” Christy said.

A public hearing on the bill is at 11 a.m. Monday in Room 327B at the Capitol. Christy said he plans to play a video of himself reading a portion of the Gettysburg Address in Russian, German and from a female avatar that he programmed though software.

He said he doesn’t want to cross any lines with satire or First Amendment concerns and hopes to get some feedback during the hearing.

“I don’t know where that line is,” he said. “Hopefully the Attorney General’s Office or others will come out for testimony on this and help clarify any amendments.”

The committee did not take immediate action on the bill related to disclosures of AI in political ads. Written testimony on the bill addressing deepfakes can be submitted online until 8 a.m. Monday.

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