AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 65-04 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to eligibility for a one-time premium credit for North Dakota national guard, armed forces, veterans, and a surviving spouse of a veteran; to amend and reenact section 65-04-32 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to decisions issued by electronic means; and to provide for application.
Summary
SB 2046 creates a new premium credit within the Workforce Safety and Insurance system for certain military-connected individuals. An active member of the North Dakota National Guard or armed forces, a veteran, or a surviving spouse of a veteran may receive a one-time premium credit of up to $250 when opening a new account, so long as the qualifying person owns at least 50 percent of the organization. The bill also allows the organization to adopt rules to administer the credit.
The bill further amends the claims and dispute process in section 65-04-32 to allow the organization to issue decisions and related administrative orders by electronic means as well as by regular mail. It clarifies the timelines and procedures for employer reconsideration and rehearing requests, including the 45-day filing periods, the ability to submit additional evidence, and the circumstances under which decisions become final. It also preserves the ability to appeal certain posthearing administrative orders to district court under chapter 65-10.
Impact
The bill affects chapter 65-04 of the North Dakota Century Code by adding a new eligibility-based premium credit for qualifying military members, veterans, and surviving spouses, and by modernizing notice and appeal procedures for organization decisions. It directly impacts Workforce Safety and Insurance account holders, especially new business accounts with qualifying ownership, and it may reduce premiums for eligible applicants. It also changes procedural law governing how decisions are served, reconsidered, reheard, and appealed, with electronic issuance now expressly authorized.
Sentiment
The available voting history shows strong bipartisan support and no recorded opposition: the Senate passed the bill 47-0 and the House passed it 88-0, with only a few absences in the House. The absence of committee transcript material limits insight into debate, but the unanimous votes suggest the bill was viewed favorably and as noncontroversial. The measure appears to have been treated as both a veterans' benefit and an administrative modernization bill.
Contention
No significant contention is evident in the available record. The main policy choices are the scope of the premium credit—limited to a one-time amount, tied to new accounts, and conditioned on majority ownership—and the procedural shift to electronic service of decisions. If any concerns existed, they likely would have centered on administrative implementation, eligibility verification, or the effect of electronic notice on appeal deadlines, but no opposing arguments or recorded dissent appear in the provided materials.
AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 65-04 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to eligibility for a one-time premium credit for North Dakota national guard, armed forces, veterans, and a surviving spouse of a veteran; to amend and reenact section 65-04-32 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to decisions issued by electronic means; and to provide for application.
A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 49-04.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the installation of smart meters; and to amend and reenact section 49-04.1-01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to unauthorized metering.
AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 39-04 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to military sacrifice number plates; and to amend and reenact section 39-04-10.3 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to personalized plates.