 The session is hitting its stride. Check out the progress. This week marked the filing deadline for Senate bills. It is a welcome surprise that we have no bills attempting to restrict women’s reproductive rights. But, we still have a lot of work in front of us this session. Here is the updated tracking grid so you can view all of the bills we are following. A high priority bill for NDWN is HB 1386, a bill to add sexual orientation and gender identity to anti-discrimination policies. The bill is up for a hearing on Wednesday at 9:00am. Attend if you are able. Please join us for the launch of the #IAM1386 campaign, which provides North Dakotans with tools to share their stories and support the passage of HB1386. Saturday, January 28, 2017 Labor Temple 1323 E Front Ave 12:00 - 2:00pm And Red Raven Espresso Parlor 916 Main Ave, Fargo, ND 58103 12:00 - 2:00pm We also encourage you to begin reaching out to your House member to support the bill. Use the simple message that all people deserve housing and job protections. Include a personal anecdote to make the message compelling. No hearing has been set, but we’ll watch and be ready to respond. The bill to increase the state’s minimum wage is scheduled for a hearing on January 31 at 9:00am in front of House Industry, Business, and Labor. Show support and ask the members of the committee to support this increase in pay for minimum wage workers. The bill from North Dakotans for Dental Access coalition HB 1256, legislation that would help increase dental access across the state by allowing dentists to expand the oral health team through hiring dental therapists is still in the committee under consideration. Thousands of North Dakotans do not receive regular, routine dental care because there is not enough access to providers in rural areas or, for many people with low-incomes in urban centers. This important legislation not only strives to improve access to quality dental care in the state, but also women’s economic status by providing an additional career path that is predominately populated by women. Almost 96% of dental hygiene students are women, and HB 1256 offers a career ladder with additional education and training for them that would increase their salaries. Contact House Human Services members to urge a Do Pass recommendation and of course reach out to your House Representative to support the bill. The bill to exempt feminine hygiene taxes went down with a vote of 3 yes and 43 no. The Earned Income Tax Credit to help alleviate poverty got a quick Do Not Pass recommendation and awaits a floor vote. The funding for SANE nurses that we won last session received a unanimous Do Pass recommendation and is now up for a hearing in Senate Appropriations on January 30 at 10:00am. The bill to get more transparency of the Governor’s Commission on the Status of Women, received a unanimous Do Pass recommendation and is on to the house floor. The bill regarding ND’s voting rules also received a Do Pass recommendation. Be sure to reach out to the people representing you so they know where you stand. Next week’s hearings of note:
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