N.D. LEGISLATURE: Pharmacy bill gets do-not pass recommendation

BISMARCK -- Chain retailers may not want to think about opening pharmacies in North Dakota just yet.

The House Industry, Business and Labor Committee gave a 10-3 do-not pass recommendation to the idea on Wednesday.

House Bill 1434 deletes wording in North Dakota law that requires pharmacies to be majority-owned by pharmacists licensed in the state. This would have allowed retailers such as Target and Wal-Mart to open pharmacies in the state.

Committee Chairman Rep. George Keiser, R-Bismarck, said he voted against the bill based on testimony that current law serves the state's residents well.

Rep. Thomas Beadle, R-Fargo, said he sponsored the bill on behalf of more than 40 constituents who want to see the law changed.

The issue came up during the 2009 Legislature and failed to make it on the 2010 ballot due to a flaw in the way petitions were circulated. North Dakota is the only state in the nation with the law.

The bill now goes to the House floor for a full vote.

Social host

The state Senate killed the "social host" bill on Wednesday that would have punished those providing a location for underage drinking.

Senate Bill 2257 states someone who possesses or controls private property may not knowingly allow minors to drink on that property. They must also make a reasonable effort to stop the underage drinking, including calling the police.

Those who violated the proposed law would face a $500 fine.

Sen. Margaret Sitte, R-Bismarck, called the bill a "well-intentioned effort to find a solution to underage drinking." But she said the Judiciary Committee had concerns and many questions about putting the responsibility on property owners.

"What we're doing is shifting the responsibility from the guilty underage drinker to the property owner," she said.

Bill sponsor Sen. Jim Dotzenrod, D-Wyndmere, said the bill resulted from a series of meetings that involved residents, law enforcement and legislators in southeastern North Dakota.

He said North Dakota has a problem with underage drinking, and other states and cities have similar social host regulations.

"I do think eventually we'll go this way," he said.

The bill failed on an 11-34 vote.

Internet hunting

The North Dakota Senate voted Wednesday to ban Internet hunting.

Senate Bill 2352 bans hunting wildlife in real time using Internet services to remotely control firearms and discharge live ammunition, thus allowing someone not physically present to kill wildlife.

This includes using any remotely controlled device to hunt.

The bill also bans hosting an Internet hunt, enabling someone else to hunt through the Internet and importing, exporting or possessing wildlife that's been killed by an Internet hunt.

A violation of the proposed law would be a Class C felony.

The Senate passed the bill on a 43-2 vote. It now moves to the House.

Divorce study

North Dakota senators think it's worthwhile to study divorce.

On a 41-4 vote, the Senate approved a 2011-12 interim state study looking into the physical, emotional and financial effects associated with divorces involving dependent children.

The study asks for legislative policy solutions, including divorce reform legislation and marriage education.

Sen. Margaret Sitte, R-Bismarck, said there's data showing divorce costs the government money due to increased use of food stamps and public housing, and increased juvenile delinquency. She said it's in the state's interest to study the matter.

However, Sen. Carolyn Nelson, D-Fargo, said there have already been a number of family law studies.

"We've discussed this topic. I don't think we need to discuss it again," she said.

The bill now moves to the House.

Autism program

A proposed program to help those with autism spectrum disorder and their families unanimously passed the state Senate on Wednesday.

Senate Bill 2268 seeks to establish an autism spectrum disorder Centers of Achievement pilot program.

The bill requires the Department of Human Services to establish the pilot program in the next two years. Like Centers of Excellence in higher education, these centers would involve public-private partnerships.

Those interested in working with the state would submit an application with a plan to fund, develop and deliver skilled services to individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

The proposed regional centers would be in cities with populations of more than 10,000.

The bill provides $600,000 to implement the pilot program and study.

The bill also recommends legislators conduct a comprehensive study of the system for the diagnosis, treatment, care and education of individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

Senate Bill 2268 now moves to the House for consideration.

Finneman is a multimedia reporter for Forum Communications Co., which owns the Herald.