BISMARCK, N.D. (KFGO) – North Dakota legislators have wrapped up their 2019 session.
The House and Senate finished their work late Friday night, with a backdrop of a rebounding economy that resulted in a record $14.7 billion budget. It was day 76 of the session. Lawmakers are limited to meeting 80 days every two years. Lawmakers on the final day put the finishing touches on last-minute spending bills. More than 900 bills and resolutions were introduced in the session. About half that number passed.
Senate Majority leader Rich Wardner said “this will be a legislative session that will go down in history as one that can be characterized as cooperative, high work ethic, professional, integrity, and respectful.
Wardner speaking just prior to adjournment ran down a long list of major bills that passed. He cited the water budget bill which included a long term state commitment of $750 million for the FM Diversion project. That legislation fell short of the $870 million sought by the Diversion Authority and Governor Burgum. Wardner said, “Yeah, I know there wasn’t enough but there’s next time, we’ll take care of it.” Prjoect backers have made it clear they will seek additional funding during the next session.
The Legislature’s general fund spending plan for the next two-year budget cycle is nearly $4.9 billion. The general fund spending, which is financed mostly by taxes on sales, income and energy, is up about $600 million from what was approved by lawmakers two years ago.
