Legislature Adjourns, Leaves Loose Ends

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The North Dakota Legislature ended its 2015 session Wednesday afternoon but lawmakers left a measure unresolved that affects public employee benefits.

House and Senate leaders have been at loggerheads for weeks over certain parts of the legislation aimed at ensuring that thousands of public employees can keep the same health benefits and medical providers when their insurer changes July 1. Lawmakers also are affected by the change.

The session lasted 78 days, just short of the 80-day maximum set by the state constitution.

The session was highlighted by uncertainty over slipping oil prices though spending did not reflect that.

The state budget totals $14.4 billion during the 2015 to 2017 budget cycle. That's up from $13.7 billion in the current budget cycle.