Kim Koppelman

This week, the North Dakota Legislature will hold a special session, called by the Governor, to make adjustments to the state budget. Special Legislative Sessions in our state are rare events, but when circumstances dictate, it is good to have the option. While most often, as in this...

You may have heard that our prisons and jails are full. That's largely true. The questions are "Why?" and "What (if anything) can we do about it?" The answers are complex and require a great deal of information, analysis and, ultimately, important public policy decisions. Two of...

Republican state Rep. Kim Koppelman of West Fargo was appointed as chairman of the Suggested State Legislation Committee of the Council of State Governments, according to a news release issued by Koppelman's office. Koppelman was appointed by Sen. Beau McCoy of Nebraska. The committee...

State Rep. Kim Koppelman, R-­West Fargo, has been named to the advisory board of the National Center for Interstate Compacts. The group, with headquarters in Lexington, Ky., works with states and helps them collaborate on important issues. Koppelman is chairman of the North Dakota...

West Fargo Police Chief Michael Reitan should be complimented for his comprehensive, fact-based column in the Nov. 4 Pioneer about what North Dakota is doing to address prison crowding. It’s a topic that has attracted a fair amount of recent attention. That’s good and a thorough...

The State Bar Association of North Dakota presented its 2015 Legislative Service Award to Rep. Kim Koppelman of West Fargo. The award recognizes the legislative involvement of individuals who have served at the state or federal level for several years, have a commitment to serving...

Rep. Kim Koppelman, R-West Fargo, has named vice chairman of the Suggested State Legislation Committee of the Council of State Governments. The Council of State Governments publishes suggested state legislation,often focusing upon major trending issues states face. The committee...

One of the most important functions of state government is passing and enforcing the laws that keep us all safe. Crafting laws against criminal activity is the job of the Legislature. When that is complete, enforcing them becomes the job of law enforcement officials, while prosecuting...

There is an old saying that "those who like laws and sausage shouldn't watch either being made." These words never ring more true than in the closing days of a Legislative session. Each session's final weeks are marked by final work and rapid changes in­­ various pieces of legislation....

The North Dakota legislative session is well into its second phase, during which each chamber considers bills that have passed the other, and is rapidly moving toward its final phase, which is dominated by conference committees, where legislators work to resolve differences between...

Committee assignments were made during an organizational session for the North Dakota Legislature. Sen. Judy Lee, R-District 13, will chair the Senate Human Services Committee and will serve on the Senate Political Subdivisions Committee. Rep. Kim Koppelman, R-District 13, will...

States are currently considering a new level of cooperation in getting electric power from where it's generated to where it's used - the possibility of an Interstate Compact on Electric Transmission. This could be a key to North Dakota's energy future. It's no secret that North...