It’s been a few weeks since the ND legislative session ended, and the dust has now settled on key pro-life and pro-family bills, so it is time for a summary. Here’s the list of wins and losses on key bills we engaged on using a variety of mechanisms such as written and in-person testimony, social media posts, action alerts, personal interaction with legislators, etc.
Note that there were other bills dealing with biblical values that were won and lost, however, this table provides a summary of the most important ones Kansas Family Voice of North Dakota contributed to.
| Life Legislation | Result |
| SB 2030 (Pro-Life Requirements for University Challenge Grants – FOR) | WON |
| HB 1415 (Physician Assisted Suicide – OPPOSED) | WON |
| SCR 4010 (ERA Ratification Expiration – FOR) | WON |
Family Legislation |
Result |
| HB 1420 (Recreational Marijuana – OPPOSED) | WON |
| HB 1389 (Legalize Internet Poker – OPPOSED) | WON |
| HB 1443 (Bias/Thought Crimes – OPPOSED) | WON |
| SCR 4011 (American History for Students – FOR) | WON |
| HB 1234 (Legalized Sports Betting – OPPOSED) | WON |
| SB 2308 (Ten Commandments/Pledge of Allegiance in Schools – FOR) | WON |
| HB 1175 (Business Immunity from COVID‑19 Liability Claims – FOR) | WON |
| HB 1245 (Essential Caregiver Act – FOR) | WON |
| HB 1298 (Girls’ Fairness in Sports – FOR) | LOST |
| SB 2176 (Payments to Parents for COVID Instruction – FOR) | LOST |
Religious Freedom Legislation |
Result |
| SB 2181 (Religious Freedom During Emergencies – FOR) | WON |
| HB 1137 (Tax Exemption for Private School Contributions – FOR) | WON |
| HB 1503 (Free Speech on Public University Campuses – FOR) | WON |
| HB 1410 (Religious Freedom in State Institutions – FOR) | WON |
| HB 1471 (Preventing Taxation of Particular Church Property – FOR) | WON |
| HB 1369 (Education Empowerment Program – FOR) | LOST |
| HB 1281 (Tax Credits for Private and Home Schooling – FOR) | LOST |
| HB 1497 (Tax Credits for Donations to Endowments and Non-Profits – FOR) | LOST |
| SB 2288 (Education Scholarships in Exchange for Tax Credits – FOR) | LOST |
It was generally a good session for pro-life and pro-family values, with a few exceptions on particular bills. I want to thank all the legislators who led the charge on these important bills, legislators who consistently voted for biblical values, and the organizations who partnered with us and definitely share the credit for these wins. Finally, we want to thank each of you who supported our work and continue to make these types of wins possible.
If it was important to you that Kansas Family Voice of North Dakota successfully represented you on these bills, and that we will continue to represent you on similar issues going forward, we would ask for your financial support. We make it very easy to give online by simply following this secure link. Thank you for your support that makes all of this possible.
May God bless us as we strive to be faithful to His calling and as we act on our faith in all facets of life, including the political arena.
Blessings,
Mark Jorritsma
President and Executive Director
P.S. – We are currently working on scorecards for key pro-life and pro-family legislation so that you can see how your Senator and Representatives voted on these important bills. We hope to have something completed shortly, but could use some volunteer help to check data and reporting. If you have a bit of time in the next few weeks, please let us know and let’s see if we can work something out. Thanks!