By JAMES MacPHERSON
 Associated Press
     BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota lawmakers are settling in as the North Dakota’s 64th legislative session enters its third week. Here’s a glimpse of some activity at the state Capitol:
 
     ABORTION VETTING
 
     No abortion-related legislation has surfaced so far during the legislative session as lawmakers seem focused on the slipping price of oil and its impact on the state coffers.
 
     North Dakota’s Republican-led and largely anti-abortion Legislature last session passed some of the nation’s strictest abortion laws, including one that bans abortions when a fetal heartbeat can be detected. A Bismarck-based federal judge blocked the law from taking effect, and the state has appealed.
 
     Sen. Tim Mathern, a Democrat from Fargo, once headed a bipartisan anti-abortion caucus that used to take the lead on introducing bills aimed at the procedure. The caucus that once vetted abortion bills languished last session, leaving lawmakers to propose a flurry of measures without roadblocks. 
 
     Mathern, a Roman Catholic, said in an email obtained by The Associated Press that he is pushing to ensure “proper vetting of bills across parties and organizations in advance of introduction of bills.”
 
     Mathern said in an interview that he does not expect any abortion-related legislation this session.
 
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     LOBBYIST LULL
 
     The number of lobbyists registered for North Dakota’s 64th legislative session is down significantly compared to the last three sessions.
 
     The drop comes despite an anticipated record budget this session.
 
     Data from the North Dakota Secretary of State’s office show 380 lobbyists representing 709 organizations are registered this year. Last session, there were 574 registered lobbyists representing 942 organizations.
 
     Data show 555 lobbyists were registered for the 62nd legislative session, representing 890 organizations. The session before that, there were 591 lobbyists representing 963 organizations.
 
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     FLU OUTBREAK
 
     Several North Dakota lawmakers have been sickened with the flu in recent days.
 
     Some 13 House members and about six Senators were absent at various times late last week.
 
     At first, some lawmakers believed it may have been food poisoning, pointing the finger at some fried walleye fingers at a buffet held for them.
 
     But Rep. George Keiser, R-Bismarck, said he didn’t attend the dinner – much less ingest the walleye fingers – “and I still got sick.”
 
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     FANCY TOTES
 
     A lot of lawmakers are toting around some snappy brief cases this year thanks to North Dakota taxpayers.
 
     Legislative Council Director Jim Smith says lawmakers – who ask for them – have been provided brief cases each session since 1984.
 
     Smith says along with computers and telephones, the bags are one of the few items that are provided to lawmakers for conducting their business. Smith says the only office space lawmakers have at the Capitol is at their desks, so space is limited.
 
     The brief cases issued to lawmakers this session are an upgrade from previous versions, which did not stand up to heavy use very well. The tan leather bags are embossed with the Great Seal of North Dakota.
 
     Smith said 134 of North Dakota lawmakers requested the bags, which cost $168 each. That comes out to just over $22,500.
 
     “They’re made in India,” said Rep. Mary Schneider, D-Fargo. “But maybe they’re made from North Dakota cows.”