MINOT – There's a movement underway in the State Legislature to extend the length of sessions from 80 days to 100 days.
House Concurrent Resolution 3020 passed the House 74-18. It is scheduled to be heard by the Senate Workforce Development Committee this Thursday. The proposal was one of the topics discussed at a recent Legislative Forum in Minot.
“We’re rushed in 80 days. I’m exhausted and it’s day 54,” said Rep. Paul Thomas, R-Dis. 6, Velva.
Thomas added that adding additional days to the legislative session might actually have an unintended effect, causing legislators to become too relaxed about getting their work done.
The Workforce Development Committee is scheduled to take up HCR3020 at 10 a.m. Thursday.
HCR3020 Statement of Intent
This measure would require the legislative assembly to meet in a regular session each biennium for up to 100 days and, upon a two-thirds vote of each house, a maximum of one hundred twenty days and authorize the legislative assembly to reconvene for additional days to override a veto. The amendment would become effective January 1, 2025.
