North Dakota’s 2015 legislative session is at the mid-point. On March 4th, the bills introduced in the Senate will cross-over to be heard in the House, and bills introduced in the House will cross-over to be heard in the Senate. The bill of most interest to assistive technology (AT) users and AT service providers continues to be SB 2289, which will be be scheduled for a hearing in the House.
A brief history of SB 2289 to date. The initial bill, heard on January 26th, requested an appropriation of $500,000 with $163,000 of that amount identified as hold-even funding due to a Federal funding reduction. It received a 5-1 Do Pass in the Human Services Committee, chaired by Senator Judy Lee. It then moved on to the Senate Appropriations Committee, who sent it on to their Department of Human Services Sub-committee, chaired by Senator Ralph Kilzer. The Sub-committee amended the bill to provide a $160,000 appropriation to the department of human services for assistive technology services. The amended bill was taken to the full Senate, where it passed unanimously on February 23, 2015.
Senator Mathern and Senator Lee made very supportive remarks prior to the full floor vote, of which we are very appreciative. Both Senators noted that the bill’s original funding level was necessary to support the expansion of services to the Western part of the state, and urged the Senate to reconsider these needs if budget projections are favorable as we move into Spring. Both Senators spoke of the essential nature of AT to support people to live safely and independently at home; participate more fully at school; and to live life on their terms.
So what is next? We will prepare testimony for the House, and invite consumers to listen in and speak out as SB 2289 makes its way through the House. We are hopeful that the appropriation will be enhanced if budget projections are favorable, and will be reflected in the final enactment of SB 2289 by the 64th Legislative Assembly. If you have comments or questions, call 800-895-4728, or leave an email here.