HB 1038 North Dakota House · 69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26)

AN ACT to provide an appropriation to the department of commerce for a state radar data pathfinder program; to provide for a report; and to declare an emergency.

HB 1038 appropriates $15 million to replace state-owned uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) that don’t meet federal security requirements under the National Defense Authorization Act and American Security Drone Act of 2023. It requires state agencies to return outdated UAVs to the uncrewed aircraft systems test site for disposal or sale, while providing new compliant UAVs, staff training, and a centralized registration system for agencies. The bill also allocates $11 million for a state radar data pathfinder program to integrate federal radar data with state UAV operations, enhance security protocols, and improve safety and infrastructure. Both programs require reports by June 2026 detailing implementation, costs, and compliance needs. The bill directly affects state agencies using UAVs and aims to ensure federal regulatory compliance.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
House Passage
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
Signed into Law
Mar 2025
Introduced Jan 7, 2025 Signed Mar 7, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

INTRODUCED Enrollment · 6 edits
MODERATE
The bill was significantly restructured to remove a $15 million uncrewed aerial vehicle replacement program and consolidate all funding into a single $11 million appropriation for a state radar data pathfinder program. The original version included separate sections for replacing outdated drones and administering the radar data program, while the final version focuses exclusively on the radar data pathfinder initiative with expanded requirements for security protocols and training. This change shifts the legislative focus from hardware replacement to data infrastructure and security compliance.
Scope change
The bill's scope was narrowed from two separate programs (uncrewed aerial vehicle replacement and radar data pathfinder) to a single radar data pathfinder program, eliminating the drone replacement component entirely.
FISCAL

Removed $15 million appropriation for uncrewed aerial vehicle replacement program that was allocated to replace state-owned drones not complying with federal security requirements.

Consolidated all funding into a single $11 million appropriation for the state radar data pathfinder program, which matches the amount previously allocated to just the radar program.

REQUIREMENT

Added specific requirements for the department of commerce to develop security control protocols meeting federal aviation administration radar data requirements and ensure compliance with national security standards.

Added requirement for the department to provide training and technical resources to state agencies on using federal radar data securely within the beyond visual line of sight program.

REPORTING

Modified reporting requirements to include the effect of the program on uncrewed aircraft system operations, safety, and data security, with a deadline of June 30, 2026.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed eligibility criteria for state agencies to receive new uncrewed aerial vehicles based on ownership dates and compliance with federal National Defense Authorization Act and American Security Drone Act of 2023.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 14, 2025 · House Jan 14, 2025

How they voted

404
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 47
Feb 14, 2025
D Democratic5
3 Yea 2 Nay
60% Yea
R Republican42
37 Yea 2 Nay 3
88% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
26
Key actions
13
Committee
8
Mar 12, 2025
Introduced
Filed with Secretary Of State 02/25
legislature
Mar 7, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor 02/24
lower
Feb 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
Second reading, passed, yeas 84 nays 3, Emergency clause carried
lower
Feb 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
Concurred
lower
Feb 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 40 nays 4
upper
Feb 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Division B passed
upper
Feb 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported back, do pass, place on calendar 8 5 3
upper
Feb 7, 2025
Committee
Rereferred to Appropriations
upper
Feb 6, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported back, do pass, place on calendar 11 5 0
upper
Feb 4, 2025
Committee
Rereferred to Appropriations
upper
Feb 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Amendment adopted, placed on calendar
upper
Feb 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 4 0 1
upper
Jan 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee Hearing 03:00
upper
Jan 24, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, first reading, (emergency), referred Industry and Business Committee
upper
Jan 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Second reading, passed, yeas 89 nays 4, Emergency clause carried
lower
Jan 13, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported back, do pass, place on calendar 23 0 0
lower
Jan 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee Hearing 08:00
lower
Jan 7, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, first reading, (emergency), referred Appropriations Committee
lower
1 primary · 11 co-sponsors

Sponsors