Politics in the Air

Despite these very weird and unprecedented times, I hope you’ve had some time to safely enjoy some summertime activities. At least the weather has been pleasant! 

By the time you read this we will already be well into August. Normally, your ICBND staff would be in the home stretch of preparation for our annual convention. Sadly however, for the first time in 53 years, the Independent Community Banks of North Dakota will not be holding its annual convention this summer. As you know, your convention committee and board of directors made the difficult decision to cancel the convention in 2020 due to the ongoing pandemic. While the convention is off, we are moving forward to safely host a golf outing and social on Monday, August 17. I hope to see many of you later this month.

Politics, of course, are in the air again as well. Following the general election in November, the 67th Assembly of the North Dakota Legislature will hold its organizational session in early December in preparation for the 2021 legislative session which will be called to order on January 5^th.

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ICBND personnel will be involved every step of the way and we’ve been preparing for the session with the legislative committee convening just this week to discuss priorities and strategies for the upcoming session. Logistically, I suspect this will be a very interesting and different legislative session. For those of you who’ve spent time at the North Dakota Capitol during prior sessions, you know that cramped, packed, poorly ventilated hearing rooms are the norm. And remember, every bill gets a hearing, and every bill gets an up or down vote in its chamber of origin. In part, that’s the beauty of the system that we have in North Dakota. But, that will certainly be challenged this time around. Technology will certainly play a role and fill some gaps. And, I’ve even heard rumors that alternative, more roomy locations are being considered for the assembly. I’m not sure if that will come to fruition or even if those rumors have merit. What I do know is that these are interesting times and community banks will continue to be a bastion of support and service to their customers and communities.

Until next time, please enjoy the rest of your summer!

Barry