ND Legislature begins its 2011 run

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - The North Dakota Legislature is under way.

Both the North Dakota House and Senate convened on Tuesday

shortly after noon.

Lawmakers will be hearing Gov. Jack Dalrymple's State of the

State address later this afternoon.

Chief Justice Gerald VandeWalle (VAN'-duh-wawl) will speak to a

joint session of lawmakers on Wednesday, and Three Affiliated

Tribes chairman Tex Hall is giving his own address on Thursday.

Legislative committees are starting bill hearings Wednesday.

The Legislature is limited to 80 days of meetings every two

years. Lawmakers probably won't finish their 2011 session until

late April.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Tags: north dakota, legislature, government