Bismarck – The North Dakota Legislature today passed what has been billed as the most important consumer protection measure of the Legislative session.
The new law gives all North Dakotans the right to file a “security freeze” on their credit report. A security freeze prevents the fraudulent use of someone’s identity to obtain new credit, and is an important tool for citizens to protect against identity theft.
“This bill continues work that we've done to thwart identity theft in North Dakota,” Rep. Kim Koppelman (R-West Fargo), the bill’s prime sponsor said. “The North Dakota Legislature and the Attorney General's office are taking important steps to make this crime more difficult to commit and to help catch identity thieves.”
Identity theft has become the fastest growing white collar crime, making it an important consumer protection issue. “This bill is arguably the best in the nation because it stops the flow of possibly stolen confidential information and prevents criminals from using another’s identity to purchase big-ticket items,” Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said.
For a nominal fee, the security freeze is placed on the consumer’s credit file, prohibiting reporting agencies from releasing the credit file or any information derived from it without the consumer’s express authorization. Under the new law, consumers will be able to request a security freeze by mail, telephone, or e-mail.
“Nothing is as personal as your identity,” co-sponsor Rep. Blair Thoreson (R-Fargo) said. “For someone to steal your identity is to steal the essence of who you are. This is a very personal crime that we need to do everything possible to stop.”
Koppelman and Thoreson were joined by Rep. Pam Gulleson (D-Rutland) and Sens. Dick Dever (R-Bismarck) and Connie Triplet (D-Grand Forks) in sponsoring the measure which unanimously passed both houses. The bill now goes to Governor John Hoeven to be signed into law.
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Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Friday, April 06, 2007
Harry Reid on the Hot Seat
Vets Ask Reid Tough Questions
From Reno Gazette-Journal
By Ray Hagar
April 6, 2007
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid spoke to a tough crowd of veterans Thursday in Reno, with one assailing the Nevada Democrat for "irresponsible statements" he has made about the war in Iraq.
Another asked him why Congress doesn't take a pay cut and give the money to veterans. That was followed by a question about why Reid hadn't answered registered mail sent in 2002. ...
Some veterans implored Reid and federal lawmakers to stop using the troops in Iraq as a "political football."
John Edwards of Reno was blunt in his question of Reid: "Why would you make such an irresponsible statement that you are going to withhold funding for our troops?" Edwards asked. "You are using them as a political football." ...
Edwards was not pleased with Reid's answer.
"He never answered my question," Edwards said. "He never came close. I'm very disappointed."
Donald Cabral, 63, also hit Reid with a pointed question.
"Why doesn't Congress take a cut in pay and give it to the veterans?" asked Cabral, an Army veteran. "Every time Congress needs a raise, not a problem. But when a veteran wants something, there's a problem. But when the fighting comes, we're the ones you want." ...
To View Entire Article, Please Visit: http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070406/NEWS10/704060480/1002
From Reno Gazette-Journal
By Ray Hagar
April 6, 2007
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid spoke to a tough crowd of veterans Thursday in Reno, with one assailing the Nevada Democrat for "irresponsible statements" he has made about the war in Iraq.
Another asked him why Congress doesn't take a pay cut and give the money to veterans. That was followed by a question about why Reid hadn't answered registered mail sent in 2002. ...
Some veterans implored Reid and federal lawmakers to stop using the troops in Iraq as a "political football."
John Edwards of Reno was blunt in his question of Reid: "Why would you make such an irresponsible statement that you are going to withhold funding for our troops?" Edwards asked. "You are using them as a political football." ...
Edwards was not pleased with Reid's answer.
"He never answered my question," Edwards said. "He never came close. I'm very disappointed."
Donald Cabral, 63, also hit Reid with a pointed question.
"Why doesn't Congress take a cut in pay and give it to the veterans?" asked Cabral, an Army veteran. "Every time Congress needs a raise, not a problem. But when a veteran wants something, there's a problem. But when the fighting comes, we're the ones you want." ...
To View Entire Article, Please Visit: http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070406/NEWS10/704060480/1002
Thursday, April 05, 2007
LEGISLATURE DOUBLES STATE RAINY DAY FUND
Bismarck – N.D. The North Dakota Legislature has finalized work on HB 1429 which will double the state budget stabilization fund. The budget stabilization fund is a special fund in the state treasury that can only be tapped if state revenues are running two and one-half percent below forecasts from the most recently adjourned legislative session.
“A strong reserve fund is the fundamental building block of our state’s financial foundation,” House Majority Leader Rick Berg said. “That is why Republicans have made increasing our state’s reserves a top priority this session.”
Any surplus in state revenues over $65 million at the end of a biennium must be transferred to the budget stabilization fund. The fund is currently capped at five percent of the state general fund balance which is approximately $95 million. HB 1429 increases the cap to ten percent of the general fund effective July 1, 2009.
“Now is the perfect time to put some money away,” Senate Majority Leader Bob Stenehjem said. “With this type of cushion in place, we are able to fund our priorities through the remainder of the session and are going to be in a better position to sustain that funding in the future.”
The legislature also recently passed HCR 3045 which will give the voters of North Dakota the power to secure future oil tax revenue in the Permanent Oil Tax Trust Fund. The initial $100 million in revenue from oil and gas production will be deposited into the general fund. Any revenue above $100 million will be deposited in the Permanent Oil Tax Trust fund. A three-fourths vote of both houses is needed to approve expenditures from the fund. The measure will be on the ballot in November 2008.
“The last time that our state’s economic outlook was as good as it is today, saving for the future was not as high a priority,” said Rep. Ken Svedjan, House Appropriations committee chair. “The money that we put in the fund today will help ensure that critical services our state provides will not be cut in the middle of a biennium if we experience a shortfall.”
Senate Appropriations Chairman Ray Holmberg said, “North Dakota is in an envious position this session. We are able to pay our bills, put money in the piggy bank and still give some money back to the people of our state.”
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“A strong reserve fund is the fundamental building block of our state’s financial foundation,” House Majority Leader Rick Berg said. “That is why Republicans have made increasing our state’s reserves a top priority this session.”
Any surplus in state revenues over $65 million at the end of a biennium must be transferred to the budget stabilization fund. The fund is currently capped at five percent of the state general fund balance which is approximately $95 million. HB 1429 increases the cap to ten percent of the general fund effective July 1, 2009.
“Now is the perfect time to put some money away,” Senate Majority Leader Bob Stenehjem said. “With this type of cushion in place, we are able to fund our priorities through the remainder of the session and are going to be in a better position to sustain that funding in the future.”
The legislature also recently passed HCR 3045 which will give the voters of North Dakota the power to secure future oil tax revenue in the Permanent Oil Tax Trust Fund. The initial $100 million in revenue from oil and gas production will be deposited into the general fund. Any revenue above $100 million will be deposited in the Permanent Oil Tax Trust fund. A three-fourths vote of both houses is needed to approve expenditures from the fund. The measure will be on the ballot in November 2008.
“The last time that our state’s economic outlook was as good as it is today, saving for the future was not as high a priority,” said Rep. Ken Svedjan, House Appropriations committee chair. “The money that we put in the fund today will help ensure that critical services our state provides will not be cut in the middle of a biennium if we experience a shortfall.”
Senate Appropriations Chairman Ray Holmberg said, “North Dakota is in an envious position this session. We are able to pay our bills, put money in the piggy bank and still give some money back to the people of our state.”
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Tuesday, April 03, 2007
HOEVEN SIGNS JESSICA’S LAW, STRENGTHENING SENTENCING AND PROBATION FOR VIOLENT SEXUAL OFFENDERS
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven today signed House Bill 1216, House Bill 1217, and Senate Bill 2029, which strengthen the state’s penalties, probation, and civil commitment laws for sexual offenders.
· HB 1216 imposes a minimum 20 year sentence and lifetime supervised probation for violent sexual offenders, including for a first offense. The bill also increases the penalty and allows states attorneys more opportunity to prosecute individuals who commit sexual offenses against minors.
· HB 1217 allows for a more flexible determination of a sexual disorder or tendency to commit sexual crimes in civil commitment cases.
· SB 2029 stiffens the penalty for violating restrictions set by the court, parole board, or law enforcement for Global Positioning System (GPS) monitoring.
“North Dakota is consistently ranked as the safest state in the nation,” Hoeven said. “These bills offer more tools for the criminal justice system to ensure that violent sexual offenders receive the supervision and treatment that they need.”
Joining Hoeven for the signing were Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem; House Majority Leader Rick Berg; Senate Minority Leader David O’Connell; Director of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Leann Bertsch; and Bonnie Palecek, executive director of the North Dakota Council on Abused Women’s Services/Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
Also joining Hoeven for the signing were members of the Task Force on Violent and Sexual Offenders, members of the Commission on Alternatives to Incarceration, and other legislators including Rep. Kim Koppelman; Rep. Lawrence Klemin, Rep. Blair Thoreson, Rep. Don Clark, Rep. Don Dietrich, Sen. Stan Lyson; Sen. Dick Dever; Sen. Larry Robinson, Sen. Tim Flakoll, Sen. Carolyn Nelson; Sen. JoNell Bakke and Sen. Joan Heckaman.
“Public safety is our primary concern,” said Stenehjem. “This legislation is an important part of the state’s efforts to ensure public safety and protect our children from harm.”
“Holding offenders accountable is a vital piece of addressing victim safety concerns,” Bonnie Palacek said. “We are encouraged that Governor Hoeven, Attorney General Stenehjem and the members of the 60th Legislative Assembly are paying serious attention to crimes of personal violence in North Dakota.”
The House of Representatives also gave final approval today of HB 1472 which limits registered sex offenders access to school property. The bill gives local school boards the authority to develop a written policy regarding sex offenders. In school districts without a written policy, sex offenders would be banned from school grounds except to vote or to attend a public meeting.
In 2003, Hoeven established a Task Force on Violent and Sexual Offenders in conjunction with the attorney general to review and strengthen, where appropriate, North Dakota’s sentencing and probation laws for violent offenders. During the 2005 session, the commission recommended new laws that established mandatory life sentences without parole for offenders when a sex crime results in the death of the victim; enhanced the civil commitment laws and probation; opened court records in civil commitment proceedings and enhanced the civil commitment process to provide for greater monitoring and supervision of dangerous sex offenders.
North Dakota was recently rated the safest state in the nation, according to the annual survey published by Kansas-based research firm Morgan Quinto Press. This marks the 10th time in the last 14 years that North Dakota has held this title.
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· HB 1216 imposes a minimum 20 year sentence and lifetime supervised probation for violent sexual offenders, including for a first offense. The bill also increases the penalty and allows states attorneys more opportunity to prosecute individuals who commit sexual offenses against minors.
· HB 1217 allows for a more flexible determination of a sexual disorder or tendency to commit sexual crimes in civil commitment cases.
· SB 2029 stiffens the penalty for violating restrictions set by the court, parole board, or law enforcement for Global Positioning System (GPS) monitoring.
“North Dakota is consistently ranked as the safest state in the nation,” Hoeven said. “These bills offer more tools for the criminal justice system to ensure that violent sexual offenders receive the supervision and treatment that they need.”
Joining Hoeven for the signing were Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem; House Majority Leader Rick Berg; Senate Minority Leader David O’Connell; Director of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Leann Bertsch; and Bonnie Palecek, executive director of the North Dakota Council on Abused Women’s Services/Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
Also joining Hoeven for the signing were members of the Task Force on Violent and Sexual Offenders, members of the Commission on Alternatives to Incarceration, and other legislators including Rep. Kim Koppelman; Rep. Lawrence Klemin, Rep. Blair Thoreson, Rep. Don Clark, Rep. Don Dietrich, Sen. Stan Lyson; Sen. Dick Dever; Sen. Larry Robinson, Sen. Tim Flakoll, Sen. Carolyn Nelson; Sen. JoNell Bakke and Sen. Joan Heckaman.
“Public safety is our primary concern,” said Stenehjem. “This legislation is an important part of the state’s efforts to ensure public safety and protect our children from harm.”
“Holding offenders accountable is a vital piece of addressing victim safety concerns,” Bonnie Palacek said. “We are encouraged that Governor Hoeven, Attorney General Stenehjem and the members of the 60th Legislative Assembly are paying serious attention to crimes of personal violence in North Dakota.”
The House of Representatives also gave final approval today of HB 1472 which limits registered sex offenders access to school property. The bill gives local school boards the authority to develop a written policy regarding sex offenders. In school districts without a written policy, sex offenders would be banned from school grounds except to vote or to attend a public meeting.
In 2003, Hoeven established a Task Force on Violent and Sexual Offenders in conjunction with the attorney general to review and strengthen, where appropriate, North Dakota’s sentencing and probation laws for violent offenders. During the 2005 session, the commission recommended new laws that established mandatory life sentences without parole for offenders when a sex crime results in the death of the victim; enhanced the civil commitment laws and probation; opened court records in civil commitment proceedings and enhanced the civil commitment process to provide for greater monitoring and supervision of dangerous sex offenders.
North Dakota was recently rated the safest state in the nation, according to the annual survey published by Kansas-based research firm Morgan Quinto Press. This marks the 10th time in the last 14 years that North Dakota has held this title.
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