Health & Wellbeing

PTSD Service Dogs

Origination of bill: Senator Sorvaag, Ronald

• Provide $50,000 to ND Department of Veterans Affairs for training service dogs to assist ND Veterans with PTSD
• Payment made by NDDVA only after completion of service dog's training
• Payment may not exceed $12,500 per service dog
• Legislative management shall consider studying statutory changes to benefit ND veterans; state income taxes, property taxes, veteran-focused incentives, assistance obtaining benefits, assistance obtain

Grants to Identify and Provide Services to Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange

Bill origination: Representative Trottier, Wayne

Pre-approved by Commissioner, ACOVA, and NDVCC

A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation for the identification of and provision of services to veterans exposed to agent orange.

Repeal of Tobacco Tax Exemption

A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact subsection 10 of section 57-36-01, sections 57-36-25 and 57-36-28, and sections 57‑36‑31 and 57‑36‑32 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the excise taxes on tobacco products and the cigarette tax; to repeal section 57‑36‑24 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the exemption from the tobacco tax for products given to the veterans' home and the state hospital; and to provide a continuing appropriation.

Transportation Services for Veterans

A Bill for an Act to amend and reenact section 39-04.2-04 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to conditions for public transportation funding.

• Bill would allow disabled veterans to utilize public transportation services without any charge.
  • If public transportation provider receives funds from the public transportation fund.

House: 

Assistance Relief Application Appeal

Appeals to ACOVA subcommittee of Loan and Grant program would be closed to public, upon the request of the applicant, to protect the medical and financial information of the applicant.

Veterans Indicator on Drivers License

Upon request and with adequate documentation, the director shall place an indicator on the face of an operator's license of a veteran. The veteran may make the request through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

• To have this on a license you must bring DD214 to CVSO for verification and form.

Veterans Affairs Stand Down Event Appropriation

Origination: NDDVA, Representative Grande

Provide $20,000 to the Department of Veterans Affairs to assist in holding Stand Down events in communities around North Dakota. Provides maximum of $5,000 per event - must have matching funds.

Provision of Services to Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury

A BILL for an Act to create and enact five new sections to chapter 50-06.4 and a new section to chapter 50-24.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the provision of services to individuals with traumatic brain injury; to amend sections 50-06.4-02 and 54-38-05 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to joint meetings and duties of the department of human services; and to provide an appropriation.

Legislative Council Studies

A concurrent resolution directing the Legislative Council to study the adequacy of governmental services, including judicial services, to respond to issues related to an aging population, including veterans, and to study the efficacy of statutes governing public administrator services and methods for the timely and effective delivery of guardianship services.

Medical Expenses ND National Guard

Origination: Adjutant General

The North Dakota National Guard is authorized to pay medical expenses for National Guard members who are called to state active duty when the member sustains an injury or illness that is found to have occurred within the line of duty and is not covered by workforce safety and insurance and when such treatment occurred while on state active duty. Payments shall be made only for costs not covered by other health insurance.