Hello Fellow North Dakotans,

We are back in session.  Thank you for re-electing me to represent District 4.  This is one of the highlights of my life.  It is an honor and a privilege to serve you.

I am on the Judiciary and Transportation committees again.  I enjoy these committees because we deal with such a wide variety of things that affect my neighbors and friends in North Dakota.

In the Judiciary committee this week, we worked on HB1069 that will give inmates being released, clothes and a bus ticket to a destination in or out of state according to their release plan.  Last year DOC released approximately 1900 inmates, the average cost for this effort was $56 each but they could only be sent to an in-state destination. It would be very good if they could be sent out of state if that is where their support group is.

We also dealt with HB1071 which provides an opportunity for medical paroles for people who are almost ready to be paroled that have a substantial risk of serious or terminal medical condition as determined by the medical experts in the DOC.  We were glad to find out that there was only 1 COVID death in the DOC system this past year.

In transportation committee we came out with a recommendation to allow people between 65 and 70 years old to renew their driver’s license online (HB1102).  Previously only those up to 65 were allowed to do that.  We also saw HB1072 which attempts to allow people to have and use an electronic copy of their driver’s license along with their plastic copy. 

There are too many things that we discussed than I can report on each week but if you have any questions on these or any other bills please call me (701.627.3397) or email me ([email protected]).  

P.S. I am very concerned about the national politics and the problems we have in our election systems.  I am hoping we can get these issues resolved.  I did send letters to all the Congressional delegation at DC asking them to make sure the election went to the candidate that had the true voice of the people behind them.  We will be working on election laws in several bills this session to protect North Dakota.