Hello and Happy Friday to everyone!
I wanted to share some updates both from testimony for SCR 4006 yesterday and a request and what to expect today.
Yesterday the Energy and Natural Resources Committee heard testimony for SCR 4006. 180 of you took time to submit written testimony ALL in favor of passing SCR 4006.
As a reminder, SCR 4006 is a resolution from the state of North Dakota asking our federal legislators to secure federal protection for the wild horses of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
The committee chair had to leave before all of the testimony was completed yesterday. The assistant chair was at meetings in Washington, DC. Both will be back with the committee and we were told the committee will vote on the resolution TODAY. They did tell us that they believe we will be happy with the vote.
Once the committee makes their decision, the resolution will go to the Senate floor for a full vote.
THEN
It goes over to the House where we will do it all again!
This morning, SB 2331 will be heard in front of the State and Local Government Committee.
SB 2331 is the harder of the two bills. SB 2331 calls for the formation of a working group to work with the state of North Dakota to help Theodore Roosevelt National Park manage the wild horses.
This bill has gone through MANY revisions before it landed here today. We originally asked for more representation from stakeholders, especially from universities and advocates. Our legislators wanted a smaller group and shortened our list. Senator Boschee will ask for a couple revisions to SB 23321 when he opens testimony today.
Knowing this is the harder one to pass, earlier in the week, I reached out to members of the committee and asked to meet with them. Yesterday, I was able to sit down with the Committee Chair Roers and discuss the bill in more detail. I have created binders with a ton of supporting documentation showing the need for this working group. Chairwoman Roers was very receptive, and I feel we had a good conversation.
I am asking that everyone understand that our North Dakota legislators have a very full plate. This committee has a TON of hearings before them and only 6 days to finish up.
Unlike yesterday, we will ONLY have 30 minutes to have all the testimony heard. Chairwoman Roers was happy to hear that I worked to coordinate people who are testifying. After Senator Boschee introduces the bill and requests a couple of changes to the bill, I have 2 people who will be testifying in person and 3 subject matter experts that are testifying virtually. I will personally be shortening my testimony to make sure that the subject matter experts have time to be heard AND the committee has time to ask them questions I am sure they will have.
I am asking once more that anyone else who plans to testify please contact me and discuss your testimony. If there are more people than we are planning there to testify, Chairwoman Roers will take a show of hands and divide the number of people there to testify by the 30 minutes allotted for this testimony to make sure we stay on time.
EVERYONE can and should submit written testimony by 8 am (CENTRAL TIME) TODAY (2/7/2025). You can submit testimony on the ND Legislative website here: https://ndlegis.gov/
After my meeting with Chairwoman Roers yesterday, I also had some time to speak with Governor Armstrong. I discussed our two pieces of legislation with him, and he wished us luck as we move through the legislative process.
We were also happy to see members of the press covering the resolution yesterday. You can view the story here: https://www.kfyrtv.com/2025/02/06/north-dakota-lawmakers-introduce-resolution-calling-federal-protection-wild-horses/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIS1OhleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXVi97OFf5w3rqA6crR7lsSMY1cx3YouLeJoie9owZrw9RMxkMqHvPebeQ_aem_Qy8OPjWFrITRvP-zj6On0A
I am not sure when the committee will vote on SB 2331, we will keep you posted on any news we hear.
As a reminder, you can watch the testimony live (as well as any recordings) on the ND Legislative website: North Dakota Legislative Branch | North Dakota Legislative Branch
Thank you for your support and check back later for updates!
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