On Friday, Grand Forks city leaders discussed with other North Dakota cities bills on local elections, eminent domain and collective bargaining rights, but Grand Forks leaders plan to oppose several pieces of legislation.
The Grand Forks Legislative Committee, which meets once a week to review proposed legislation and any potential impacts those bills could have on the city, was tracking about 140 bills as of Friday. The North Dakota League of Cities was tracking about 240 bills, according to Executive Director Blake Crosby.
Friday's conference call with other cities was arranged by the League.
Both bodies were tracking House Bill 1375, which would require candidates in certain local elections either declare a political party or run as an independent.
The Grand Forks City Council voted Tuesday to take a stance against the proposal. The House Government and Veterans Affairs Committee will hear the bill Feb. 1, and the city of Grand Forks plans to submit testimony opposing the measure.
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"Having to declare a political party will really make local elections really difficult, if not impossible," said Crosby, who encouraged North Dakota cities to testify against the bill.
Grand Forks and other cities also are keeping an eye on bills dealing with a city's authority to acquire land under eminent domain. Senate Bill 2238, for example, would require a city or the state get permission from the county before seizing land under eminent domain.
The city of Grand Forks is opposed to this bill and will be submitting testimony against it for a hearing Thursday.
The city has no current stance regarding House Bill 1463, which would provide collective bargaining to law enforcement officers and full-time firefighters.
The bill could impact a city's whole wage and salary plan, Fire Chief Gary Lorenz told other department heads. The bill doesn't address benefits. Lorenz called it vague.
"At this point, the city's opinion is just to remain neutral on it," he said.
The bill's co-sponsors include Reps. Mary Adams and Matt Eidson, both Democrats serving District 43, and Republican Rep. Steve Vetter of District 18.
