Peace Garden News

The North Dakota legislative session reached its 17th day on January 27. Legislators face a deadline of February 6 to move all bills containing appropriations out of policy committees and to reassign them to appropriations committees.

Several bills are under consideration. HB 1158 proposes a flat tax rate of 1.5% for North Dakota personal income taxes and seeks to eliminate income taxes for individuals earning less than $44,725 and married couples making less than $74,750. This bill has been deliberated in committee and awaits further action.

SB 2217, which prohibits credit card interchange fees on the sales tax portion of a transaction, passed the Senate 26-21 following a committee hearing. NFIB supported this bill, which now proceeds to the House for consideration.

Several bills are scheduled for committee hearings. HB 1460, proposing a voluntary paid family medical leave program for employees, will be heard on January 30. NFIB plans to oppose this bill. HB 1507, which suggests raising the minimum wage to $9 per hour and incrementing it by 25 cents annually, will also be reviewed on the same day, with NFIB intending to testify against it. HB 1527 requires employers to verify the employment eligibility of new hires through the federal E-Verify system, with a hearing on February 2.

SB 2346, intended to provide property tax relief by increasing state funding for school districts and reducing local contributions, will be heard on January 31. NFIB supports this bill.

Various tax reduction bills have been introduced this session. HB 1118 offers a non-refundable tax credit of $750 for single filers and $1,500 for married couples filing jointly. HB 1425 proposes reducing income tax rates if General Fund revenues exceed projections by more than 10%. Both of these bills have been discussed in committee and are pending further action.

Moreover, SB 2066 provides property tax relief similar to SB 2346 by increasing state funding for schools and diminishing local contributions, aiming to cut property taxes by about 25%. It is pending further committee action.