North Dakota Legislature in Home Stretch

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota's Legislature is headed down the session's home stretch.

But lawmakers first must find consensus on a host of spending plans and other last-minute measures before the state constitution's 80-day limit is imposed.

Monday is Day 66.

North Dakota's House and Senate have worked through several contentious measures this session, including expanding places where concealed-carry permit holders can pack heat. Lawmakers also have shot down a bill that would have prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation.

The Legislature also has hammered through some seemingly lesser legislation like rejecting a measure that would have given North Dakotans a nine-day head start over nonresidents to trap muskrats.

Both chambers still have dozen measures to work through, including all remaining two-year budget bills for state agencies, programs and the Legislature itself.