North Dakota Bills | MyRepTracker

passed · North Dakota · House Feb 17, 2025

HB 1141: A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 16.1-10-02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to using public services or property for a political purpose.

HB 1141 would prohibit North Dakota government employees and officials from using public property (such as vehicles, buildings, or equipment) or public services (like employee time during work hours) for political activities. It defines "political purpose" broadly to include campaign ads, candidate endorsements, or using terms like "vote for" near elections, while exempting bona fide news coverage or public office duties. Violations could result in personal liability for officials or complaints filed with the ethics commission, which may refer criminal cases to prosecutors. The bill aims to prevent misuse of public resources for political gain during election periods.

passed · North Dakota · House Feb 17, 2025

HB 1301: A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact subsection 3 of section 12.1-32-07 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to possession of a firearm while on probation; and to provide for application.

HB 1301 would require North Dakota courts to explicitly prohibit probationers from possessing firearms, destructive devices, or dangerous weapons as a standard condition of probation, except for specific first-time misdemeanor offenses under certain sections (like minor traffic violations or low-level drug offenses) if the court makes a documented finding of "good cause" to waive the ban. It also adds new probation conditions like community service, electronic monitoring, and strict rules against failing urine tests, while prohibiting firearm bans for most other misdemeanors. The bill applies to all probation sentences imposed after its effective date. This would directly affect individuals on probation for most crimes, limiting their access to firearms unless specific legal exceptions apply.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

passed · North Dakota · House Feb 17, 2025

HB 1239: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 11-33, a new section to chapter 40-47, a new chapter to title 51, and a new section to chapter 58-03 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to blockchain technology and protection for digital asset mining.

HB 1239 protects digital asset mining operations in North Dakota by preventing local governments from banning or restricting them in residential areas (if noise rules are followed) or imposing stricter rules than for other commercial businesses. It exempts blockchain-related activities - like operating nodes, mining, or developing blockchain software - from requiring a money transmitter license. The bill defines key terms such as "digital asset" (including cryptocurrencies and NFTs) and "digital asset mining" (using computers to validate blockchain transactions). These provisions directly affect miners, blockchain businesses, and local zoning authorities by creating clear regulatory boundaries for the industry.

Topics ✓ Technology

passed · North Dakota · House Feb 17, 2025

HB 1593: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 51-07 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a covered platform's liability for publishing or distributing sexual material harmful to a minor; and to provide a penalty.

HB 1593 would require websites and online platforms (excluding news organizations) to verify users are 18+ before accessing sexual material deemed harmful to minors. It defines such material as content appealing to prurient interests, depicting sexual acts, or lacking literary/artistic value for minors, and mandates "reasonable age verification" methods like ID checks. Platforms failing this verification could face civil lawsuits from parents or individuals whose data was improperly retained, seeking damages, injunctions, or attorney fees. The bill explicitly excludes news-gathering organizations and internet service providers from liability for merely hosting content they don’t create. The bill failed to pass in the North Dakota legislature on February 17, 2025.

Topics ✓ Technology

passed · North Dakota · Senate Feb 14, 2025

SB 2376: A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact subsection 5 of section 54-58-03 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a tribal-state gaming compact that permits gaming in Grand Forks County.

SB 2376 amends North Dakota law to specifically authorize gaming operations on three defined parcels of land in Grand Forks County under the existing tribal-state compact with the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. The bill lists precise land descriptions (south five and one-half acres, west ninety-six acres, and north fifty-eight and one-half acres of specific sections) where gaming may occur, provided the Secretary of the Interior approves under federal law. This is a technical amendment to clarify permitted locations within the existing compact, not a new policy. The bill failed to pass in the legislature on February 14, 2025, with 15 votes in favor and 29 against.

passed · North Dakota · Senate Feb 14, 2025

SB 2303: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new chapter to title 15.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to an education savings account program.

SB 2303 would create an education savings account program in North Dakota, using state funds to help eligible families pay for approved educational expenses. Eligible students include K-12 residents who qualify for public school, with funds deposited by the Bank of North Dakota (80% of per-pupil funding). Parents would receive these funds for approved expenses like tuition at participating private schools, approved tutoring, textbooks, college costs, or educational technology, but must agree not to enroll children in public schools. The program requires participating schools to meet safety and nondiscrimination standards, and unused funds carry forward annually.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · North Dakota · House Feb 14, 2025

HB 1456: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 15.1-07 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to school chaplains in public school districts.

HB 1456 would establish a framework for certified chaplains in North Dakota public schools, allowing school districts to hire or volunteer certified chaplains (defined as those certified by national/state organizations or endorsed by religious groups) to provide support to students, staff, or parents. The bill requires background checks for all chaplains, prohibits individuals required to register as sex offenders from serving, and protects chaplains from liability unless actions were maliciously intended to harm. It allocates $500,000 from the state general fund for 2025-2027 to cover chaplain salaries, training, oversight, and program evaluation, with districts limited to $200,000 per school. The bill directly affects public school districts, chaplains, and students/staff seeking spiritual support, while exempting chaplains from standard education licensing requirements.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · North Dakota · Senate Feb 14, 2025

SB 2192: A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation to the department of health and human services for accreditation grants for community providers.

SB 2192 would provide $240,000 in state funds to reimburse community health and social service providers for costs associated with meeting state accreditation requirements. It directly affects community-based organizations that need accreditation to operate, such as clinics, shelters, or support programs. The bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to distribute grants covering these accreditation expenses for the 2025-2027 biennium. This is a funding measure, not a policy change to accreditation standards themselves.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

passed · North Dakota · Senate Feb 13, 2025

SB 2347: A BILL for an Act to create and enact three new sections to chapter 53-06.2 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to historic horse race wagering, pari-mutuel horse racing, and the establishment of the racing commission fund; to amend and reenact sections 53-06.2-01, 53-06.2-04, 53-06.2-05, 53-06.2-06, 53-06.2-07, 53-06.2-08, 53-06.2-10, 53-06.2-10.1, and 53-06.2-11 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the authorization of historic horse race wagering and the elimination of simulcast dog racing under the certificate system; and to provide an effective date.

Relating to historic horse race wagering, pari-mutuel horse racing, and the establishment of the racing commission fund; to amend and reenact sections 53‑06.2‑01, 53‑06.2‑04, 53‑06.2‑05, 53‑06.2‑06, 53‑06.2‑07, 53‑06.2‑08, 53‑06.2‑10, 53‑06.2‑10.1, and 53‑06.2‑11 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the authorization of historic horse race wagering and the elimination of simulcast dog racing under the certificate system; and to provide an effective date.

passed · North Dakota · House Feb 13, 2025

HB 1282: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 54-52.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to public employee fertility health benefits; to provide for a report to the legislative assembly; to provide for application; and to provide an expiration date.

Relating to public employee fertility health benefits; to provide for a report to the legislative assembly; to provide for application; and to provide an expiration date.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · North Dakota · House Feb 13, 2025

HB 1284: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 54-52.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to public employee fertility preservation health benefits; to provide for a report to the legislative assembly; to provide for application; and to provide an expiration date.

Relating to public employee fertility preservation health benefits; to provide for a report to the legislative assembly; to provide for application; and to provide an expiration date.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · North Dakota · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 2331: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 54-60 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the Theodore Roosevelt national park working group; to provide a report; and to provide an appropriation.

SB 2331 establishes a working group to manage wild horses in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, directly affecting park operations, local tourism, and conservation efforts. The group must maintain the wild horse population above 200 through nonlethal methods (like birth control or relocation), promote horse-related tourism, and submit annual reports to lawmakers. It requires a $50,000 state appropriation for the 2025-2027 biennium to support these activities. The bill mandates quarterly meetings and collaboration with the National Park Service, focusing on concrete management and tourism strategies without specifying outcomes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment