State Capitol in Bismarck (Tasha Carvell, KFGO News)
BISMARCK (KFGO) – The North Dakota Supreme Court on Thursday denied a request by the state legislature to delay its judgment that Senate Bill 2015, the 68th Legislative Assembly’s massive budget bill, is void.
The state’s high court ruled last month that the Office of Management and Budget bill was invalid due to its violation of the state constitution’s one-subject rule for any legislation. The state’s Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) Board challenged the legislature in court after an amendment was added to the bill allowing legislators to serve on the board.
Attorney General Drew Wrigley called the N.D. Supreme Court’s initial ruling and its implications “seismic,” and a motion was filed to delay the ruling to give the legislature more time to convene and reconsider the appropriations bill. On Thursday, the state Supreme Court ruled that it had no authority to delay the judgment.
Thursday night, Governor Doug Burgum said the court’s decision would accelerate the timeline for a special session.
“The Governor’s Office has been in contact with legislative leadership this evening and will continue to discuss next steps to address this matter as quickly as possible,” Burgum said. “We’re confident the Legislature can work through the reformatting and reauthorization of the OMB bill before Nov. 1 to avoid any interruptions to state government operations,” Burgum said in a statement.
A Sept. 28 opinion from the Supreme Court, and the case docket, indicated the Court’s initial opinion declaring SB 2015 unconstitutional and void would become effective Oct. 28.
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