Brad Bekkedahl — Likely the intended name behind 'Senator Becadal' in the discussion of child care funding alternatives.
Brad Bekkedahl — The speaker addresses Senator Brad Bekkedahl’s concern about project permitting, explaining that in the situation described a permit would already have been issued. The speaker then agrees that if everyone has already gone through the required steps, the project would be at that stage in the process.
Brad Bekkedahl — Likely the 'Beckettol' vote; votes aye.
Brad Bekkedahl — Votes aye.
Brad Bekkedahl — Senator Bekkedahl voted aye; transcription rendered as 'Beck et al.'
Brad Bekkedahl — Senator Bekkedahl voted aye; transcription rendered as 'Beckettall.'
Brad Bekkedahl — Senator Bekkedahl is called on for discussion.
Brad Bekkedahl — Senator Bekkedahl expressed concern about hearing from Commerce before moving forward.
Brad Bekkedahl — Senator Bekkedahl voted aye.
Brad Bekkedahl — Senator Bekkedahl moved Bill Draft 25.147.0100.
Brad Bekkedahl — Senator Bekkedahl moved Bill Draft 25.147.0100 and described the proposed amendment.
Brad Bekkedahl — Senator Bekkedahl made the motion.
Brad Bekkedahl — Senator Bekkedahl voted aye.
Brad Bekkedahl — Senator Bekkedahl voted aye.
Brad Bekkedahl — Raised concern that township road appropriations have already increased and questioned whether moving the bill forward would make a material difference before the general session.
Brad Bekkedahl — Recorded as voting no in the roll call.
Brad Bekkedahl — Recorded as voting no in the roll call.
Brad Bekkedahl — Voted no.
Brad Bekkedahl — Spoke in favor of local control and against a blanket moratorium.
Brad Bekkedahl — Said a blanket moratorium would override local control and local rights.
Brad Bekkedahl — Reiterated support for local control and opposed a blanket moratorium.
Brad Bekkedahl — Voted no on the motion.
Brad Bekkedahl — Voted no on the motion.
Randy Burckhard — Asked about whether there would be any poker tournaments for the rest of the year.
Randy Burckhard — Addressed in the discussion about tournament timing and whether the matter should wait until session.
Randy Burckhard — Addressed in the discussion about precedent and the commission's authority.
Randy Burckhard — Thanked Mr. McLean and began asking about clarifying the statute.
Randy Burckhard — Asked whether Mr. McLean would oppose clarifying the statute during session.
Randy Burckhard — Asked about the appointment process and then confirmed as correct that the Senate confirms commission members.
Randy Burckhard — The senator is told he is correct that the governor selects members and the Senate confirms them.
Randy Burckhard — Likely intended by the transcript's 'Senator Becadol'; was addressed in questions about the proposal and flex funds.
Jeff Barta — Voted aye.
Gretchen Dobervich — Likely Representative Frelich; recorded as no.
Gretchen Dobervich — Says she will forward materials to John and references NCSL resources.
Gretchen Dobervich — Explains that there is no fiscal note because funding may remain in the current budget.
Gretchen Dobervich — Agrees that prediction markets are similar to sports betting and can involve a broader range of verifiable events.
Gretchen Dobervich — The office says it had spoken with her about contracting for a study.
Gretchen Dobervich — Her constitutional reference is cited in the question about gambling authorization.
Terry Wanzek — Voted yes.
Christina Wolff — Christina Wolff introduced herself and explained that she brought forward a bill related to kratom as an alternative to a complete ban on kratom and synthetic products. She noted that the bill had been drafted quickly because of special-session deadlines, but that it now appeared redundant because another identical bill exists. She then requested to withdraw her bill to avoid duplicating work and save time.
Daniel Johnston — Chair asked whether Representative Johnston was present.
Daniel Johnston — The chair notes that Representative Johnston is not currently present and indicates that he will be heard later, after lunch, at his scheduled time.
Daniel Johnston — Daniel Johnston is identified as the prime sponsor of the kratom bill, with one speaker noting he was not online to present and another saying they had a long discussion about his bill. The bill is later summarized by Legislative Council, and Johnston is also referenced as having worked with the commissioner on it.
Pat Heinert — Representative Pat Heinert was introduced and then explained his kratom bill in detail. He said the proposal came out of a working group and that he had a legislative counsel appointment, then described the bill’s core purpose: legalizing natural kratom in North Dakota for adults 21 and over while applying tobacco-style restrictions and penalties for younger users. He emphasized avoiding felony treatment or lasting criminal records for minors and young adults, distinguished natural kratom from synthetic products through statutory definitions, and concluded by outlining licensing requirements and noting that the Attorney General’s office would administer the program.
Pat Heinert — Asked whether there is an estimate for revenue going into the new operating fund and whether a fiscal note exists.
Pat Heinert — Pat Heinert is mentioned twice in passing as a former sheriff, with the speaker joking that the testimony is likely making his blood pressure rise.
Pat Heinert — Identified as the sponsor of bill draft 25.153.02,000.
Dwight Kiefert — Pat Heinert presented the bill’s kratom regulatory framework in a single continuous explanation: separate licenses are required for each processor or retailer location, with a $10,000 initial application fee and a $500 annual renewal fee; he cited testimony about lost sales to justify the fee and oversight structure. He then walked through product and retail requirements, including display of licenses, restrictions on deceptive or youth-oriented marketing, labeling rules with dosage and serving information, warnings about habit-forming effects and drug interactions, and notices that kratom is not intended for pregnant, breastfeeding, or under-21 users. He also described storage expectations similar to age-restricted products, enforcement authority for the Attorney General, escalating penalties for repeat violations, the requirement that rules be adopted before licenses can be issued, the creation of an operating fund for regulation and enforcement costs, and a $20,000 public health campaign appropriation before closing by saying the act would take effect upon filing and inviting questions.
Dwight Kiefert — Representative Heinert seconded the motion.
Clayton Fegley — Was praised for prior law enforcement experience and for work on the bill.