Among the hundreds of bills the Legislature will debate this upcoming session, the Bismarck Tribune will be tracking the major legislation as it moves through the House and Senate.

To follow along, just look for the graphics that go with this story. As the session continues, more bills will be added, and others dropped when they fail.

The graphic will provide information about a bill's status and the vote totals among lawmakers, as well as the legislation's cost to the state.

Many bills have yet to be introduced, with Jan. 19 being the last day House members can submit legislation and Jan. 26 being the deadline for senators.

House and Senate leaders say the issues likely to start some healthy debate in Bismarck this winter include the governor's $300 million property tax relief proposal, which would give school districts funds as long as they reduce property tax levels.

North Dakota's pharmacy ownership law, which requires a pharmacist to own more than half of the pharmacy, will likely be up for review. The lobbying group North Dakotans for Affordable Healthcare is pushing the Legislature to repeal the law in order to allow large box stores such as Wal-Mart to establish pharmacies in the state.

But the biggest question mark on lawmakers' minds when they go home each night is what to do with the $1.2 billion the state has on reserve amid a slumping national - and potentially state - economy, House and Senate leaders say.

Some lawmakers are expected to introduce legislation that would create a new oil trust fund in the same vein as the failed Measure 1; however, nothing has materialized yet.

In his $7.7 billion budget, Gov. John Hoeven also included $120 million in infrastructure improvements to the state's roads and highways, something the North Dakota Association of Counties is hoping will make its way through the Legislature.

Other issues that will make their way to the House and Senate floors include a number of measures to reform Workforce Safety and Insurance, a ban on smoking in a car if a passenger is 16 or younger, and a potential bill to curb talking on a cell phone while driving, said House Minority Leader Rep. Merle Boucher, D-Rolette.

Remember to follow the Bismarck Tribune online throughout the session for breaking news and updates. There, you also can view our bill tracking graphics, as well as other information about the upcoming legislative session.

(Reach reporter Brian Duggan at 223-8482 or brian.duggan@;bismarcktribune.com.)