BISMARCK - North Dakota lawmakers, who don't quit for state holidays, launch a hectic week of work Monday on big ideas for school funding, prison construction and state employee pay. The Capitol is open despite it being Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
They'll also take up a flurry of tax credit ideas and a third try in as many sessions to repeal the state's cohabitation ban.
Another bill this week would repeal the state law that prohibits anyone from owning a pharmacy unless they are a licensed pharmacist with an active partnership in the pharmacy.
A glance at some of the bills having hearings this week:
Monday
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House Bill 1299 - the pharmacy license bill. The law has, since the 1960s, protected locally owned pharmacies from chain pharmacy competition. House Human Services Committee, 10 a.m.
Senate Bills 2015 and 2189 - The Senate Appropriations Committee is holds state employee pay bill hearings, starting 9 a.m. in the Brynhild Haugland Room.
House Bill 1177 - Allows a school district to go above its teacher pay schedule to offer higher salary to fill an "unfillable position." Late morning (no specified time) in House Education Committee.
Tuesday
House Bill 1303 - Would make some agricultural land taxable according to its "actual use" instead of according to soil type. House Finance and Tax, 10:30 a.m.
Senate Bill 2184 - Raises the age at which someone can drop out of school from 16 to 18 and adds one day to the mandatory length of the school year each of the next three years. Hearing is 9:15 a.m. in Senate Education.
Wednesday
House Bill 1051 - The bill that would enact Gov. John Hoeven's tax property relief program, in which the state would fund a 10 percent tax credit on each residential tax bill and 5 person on each agriculture and commercial property tax bill. Hearing is in House Finance and Tax Committee at 9 a.m.
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Senate Bill 2138 - Repeals state ban on heterosexual couples living together9 a.m., Senate Judiciary.
Senate Bill 2200 - The main school-funding bill, which enacts a new formula created by the Governor's Commission on Educational Improvement. Senate Education, 8:30 a.m. in the Brynhild Haugland Room
Senate Bill 2032 - An alternative school funding bill designed to create property tax relief, Senate Finance and Tax, 1 p.m.
Thursday
House Bill 1208 - Specifies animal cruelty prohibitions don't include the usual and customary practice in production agriculture, livestock shows, fairs, competitions, parades, rodeos; wagon and buggy rides or training techniques. Hearing is 9 a.m. in House Agriculture.
Friday
Senate Bill 2145 - Would make the chokecherry the official state fruit. Hearing is 11 a.m. in Senate Natural Resources
House Bill 1259 - Stiffens the law on DUI penalties, making a third violation a felony. House Transportation hearing at 9:30 a.m. in House Transportation.
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For more information on these and other bills, go to www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/60-2007/bill-text/house-bill.html and www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/60-2007/bill-text/senate-bill.html
Readers can reach Forum Communications reporter Janell Cole at (701) 224-0830 or forumcap@btinet.net
