On the first day of a very busy week for North Dakota legislators, two bills that would have significantly changed the language of previous laws have been defeated by lawmakers.

This is the final week of floor votes on proposed bills for both houses of the Legislature. All bills must be voted on by Friday, the day which is known as “cross over” when bills that have passed one chamber are forwarded to the other for their consideration.

The House of Representatives rejected HB 1323 Monday by a 17-75 vote. The bill would have removed spring operated and compressed air or compressed gas operated firearms from the definition of “dangerous weapon.” The bill has received a 14-0 “do not pass” recommendation from the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Another bill frowned on at the committee level, SB 2054, went down to defeat by a Senate vote of 14-33 Monday. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee had sent the bill to the floor with a 5-1 “do not pass” recommendation.

The bill sought to strike the provision that “higher priority” be given to projects that “enhance conservation practices” by organizations applying for grants issued through the state’s Outdoor Heritage Fund.