North DakotaLocal governments may issue emergency bonds without an election
Local governments in counties covered by a governor's emergency order may issue bonds for emergency costs without an election, after a two-thirds vote by their governing body.
What it does
A local government in a county covered by a governor's emergency order may issue bonds for emergency costs without an election, if its governing body approves by a two-thirds vote.
Bond election questions use a separate ballot, which may appear on the same paper or electronic ballot as other election questions.
Voters see the proposed bond amount, maximum repayment period, estimated added property tax for the first year, and purpose on the ballot.
Argument forA local government facing emergency costs could issue bonds without waiting for an election, if its governing body approves by a two-thirds vote.
Argument againstEmergency bonds could add local debt without a voter decision, and the government may use taxes to repay them without usual limits.
More detail
A local government may issue bonds without an election to pay costs tied to an emergency condition. This applies to a municipality or other local government located at least partly in a county covered by the governor's order or proclamation. The local government must be at least partly within a county covered by the governor's disaster or emergency order or proclamation. Its governing body must approve the bonds by a two-thirds vote. The government may dedicate and levy taxes to repay the bonds, and those levies are not subject to other limits set by law.
A bond election ballot must be separate from other election ballots, though it may appear on the same paper or electronic ballot. This applies to ballots for municipal bond elections held on the same day as other elections.
A bond election ballot states the bond amount, maximum repayment period, estimated added property tax, and purpose. The ballot identifies the municipality issuing the bonds and gives the estimated added tax for the first taxable year, both as a rate and a dollar amount per $1,000 of taxable value.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2025
- Apr 30Filed with Secretary Of State 04/28Latest
- Apr 29Signed by Governor Kelly Armstrong 04/28Became Law
- Apr 25Sent to GovernorTo Governor
- Apr 25Signed by Speaker
- Apr 22Signed by President
- Apr 21Second reading, passed, yeas 88 nays 4Major
- Vote recorded Motion for Final Passage on HB 1482. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 21Concurred
- Apr 16Returned to House (12)
- Vote recorded Motion for Final Passage on HB 1482. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 16Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 43 nays 4Passed Senate
- Apr 16Amendment adopted, placed on calendar
- Apr 15Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 6 0 0Minor
- Apr 14Committee Hearing 09:28
- Mar 10Committee Hearing 02:30
- Feb 13Introduced, first reading, referred Finance and Taxation CommitteeMinor
- Feb 7Received from House
- Feb 6Second reading, passed, yeas 88 nays 5Passed House
- Vote recorded Motion for Final Passage on HB 1482. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 5Reported back, do pass, place on calendar 11 1 2Minor
- Jan 27Committee Hearing 10:30
- Jan 20Introduced, first reading, referred Finance and Taxation CommitteeIntroduced
Government & EthicsTaxes & Budget