Legislative Update - Week 7

One Week to Crossover

Crossover represents the halfway mark for the legislative session. Most bills have had their first hearing and vote. Next week I'll send a comprehensive list of what remains for the work. This week get a quick update tomorrow at our videoconference. Or, if you are in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, or Minot you can join Solidarity Saturday at 1pm.
Click here for the tracking grid.

Join us this week for our videoconference Saturday morning at 9am CT.

We'll focus on the newest attack on women's reproductive rights. 

The anti-choice activists couldn’t get anyone to sponsor legislation, so they have decided to be sneaky and attack women’s reproductive rights through amendments. We'll talk about the amendment and what to do about it on the Saturday videoconference.

A gag amendment has been attached to human trafficking legislation (SB 2107), restricting the information victim service providers can give to victims of human trafficking. The gag rule prohibits providers from providing referrals to the full spectrum of reproductive services legally available to them. These are women who have experienced some of the worst sexual abuse imaginable, but anti-choice ideology is taking precedence over what victims really need.

Sign this petition to oppose the gag amendment.

The legislature need to allow service providers to do the work without ideological intrusion from politicians.  

https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/145996237

Also on the agenda is the win for Senate Bill 2279, a bill to provide protections in employment and housing for sexual orientation and gender identity.

We are thrilled to report that SB 2279 passed the Senate by a vote of 25-23. So what are the next steps? We'll update you on Saturday as well.

Email me if you need to join by telephone line and I'll get you a number.


Solidarity Saturdays will be informal gatherings of multiple organizations and people to talk about our shared concerns in North Dakota and to keep tabs on bills that come up during legislative session.

These gatherings seek to foster a place for us to further our knowledge, conversation, and understanding of each of our affiliated organizations and underscore our shared values.

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LOCATIONS:

Bismarck: Unitarian Universalist Church: 818 East Divide Avenue

Minot: Broadway Bean and Bagel: 1701 South Broadway ...

Grand Forks: Archives Coffee House: 3012 University Ave.

For more information email: solidaritysaturdaynd@gmail.com

Fargo: Red Raven: 916 Main Ave

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Don't miss out on WE Rise. Register today!

The North Dakota Women’s Network (NDWN) is thrilled to provide an unparalleled, hands-on, educational experience for North Dakota women, right in our state’s capitol!

For one day, March 9, 2015, we will host women from across North Dakota at the epicenter of our state’s legislative activity.  WE Rise: Women Empowered will offer behind the scenes insights to the legislative process through meetings with local lawmakers, legislative briefings and trainings on how to lobby (and we will not forget the fun!).

We will also host an advocacy training on March 8th. You can learn more and register at http://standupnd.blogspot.com/