ND Supreme Court opinion could require special session

The North Dakota Supreme Court issued a ruling today (Thursday) that casts doubt on a major portion of the state’s budget bill. The states’ high court says the case involves the constitutionality of the legislative branch’s decision to place lawmakers on the North Dakota Public Employees Retirement Board.

In a lengthy opinion the justices said that Senate Bill 2015 violated the balance of power between the legislative and executive branches of government. The court went on to say that no bill shall embrace more than one subject expressed in its title.

In reaction to the ruling North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum issued a prepared statement suggesting that a special session of the Legislative Assembly would be needed to fix 70 sections of the OMB bill that have been voided. Burgum says he is having discussions with legislative leaders to discuss the “best course of action.”

Attorney General Drew Wrigley says his office is seeking clarification from the court about when its judgment will be officially entered. He says it appears the court instituted a stay of 30 days on its judgment, which would give the legislature until October 28 to go into special session to address the issues.