Grand Forks State Legislator Favors Annual Sessions

Rep. Landon Bahl, R-Grand Forks. (Photo provided by the North Dakota Legislative Assembly via the North Dakota Monitor)

(Jeff Beach – North Dakota Monitor) – North Dakota is one of just four states where the Legislature does not meet every year, but that could change starting in 2027 if the state Senate follows the lead of the House.

The House of Representatives on Friday voted 64-26 to pass House Bill 1408, to meet and pass a budget every year.

Bill sponsor Rep. Landon Bahl, R-Grand Forks, and other advocates of annual sessions said the change should lead to fewer, better quality bills, a bigger pool of legislative candidates and a more responsive and effective Legislature.

“Employees can now ask their employer for only two months of leave instead of a third of a year,” Bahl said.