BISMARCK — A panel examining North Dakota’s ballot measure system forwarded four proposals Tuesday, May 22, but efforts to amend the policy-by-petition process may just be getting started.
The Initiated and Referred Measures Study Commission wrapped up its work at the state Capitol Tuesday. Its recommended changes now move to Legislative Management, the committee that oversees the Legislature’s work during the interim period between regular sessions.
One bill draft would require a measure’s fiscal impact to be included with the ballot language. Another would give measure backers access to Legislative Council staffers to help draft their proposals without altering their intent, which would help identify how the language fits or conflicts with existing law or constitutional provisions.