State Lawmakers Weigh Possible Special Session to Address Veto Error

Emily Thompson, legal division director for the Legislative Council. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

(North Dakota Monitor) – Attorneys for the North Dakota Legislature rebuked an attorney general’s opinion of a veto error and outlined possible next steps, which could include a special legislative session or legal challenges.

Lawmakers asked Legislative Council to research options after an error with a line-item veto Gov. Kelly Armstrong issued May 19 in the budget for the state Industrial Commission.

Armstrong’s veto message said he objected to a $150,000 one-time grant for a Native American-focused organization to fund a homelessness liaison position. But his staff also crossed out $25 million for housing projects and programs and $10 million to combat homelessness in a bill markup, which he later said he did not intend to veto.

Armstrong asked Attorney General Drew Wrigley for his office’s opinion on whether the veto message would be considered the official document instead of the marked-up bill.