No exemption for non-profit health

A bill that would have allowed the 23 non-profit health centers in North Dakota to be exempt from sales tax failed in the House by a 35-51 vote.

House Bill 1271, sponsored by Rep. Corey Mock, D-Grand Forks, was requested by the health centers that currently pay sales and use taxes.

He said the $230,000 it would have cost the state over the next biennium would have been more than worth the investment since rural areas such as Northwood rely on the health center as its only provider of care.

“It goes a long way in expanding ability for non-profit health centers to expand care,” he said.

Rep. Craig Headland, R-Montpelier, carried the bill to the floor from the House Finance and Taxation Committee, which recommended a do not pass vote.

He said, “it’s bad policy to provide sales tax exemption to one and not the other,” referring to non-profit and for-profit health centers.

Tags: north dakota legislature, news