HB 1221 proposes allocating $24 million from North Dakota's general fund to the state board of higher education for workforce education innovation funds, to be distributed to eligible institutions during the 2025-2027 biennium. The bill provides direct funding for programs aimed at enhancing workforce training and education initiatives, primarily affecting community colleges and vocational schools eligible to receive these grants. It does not create new programs but establishes a funding mechanism for existing or planned workforce development efforts. The bill failed to pass in the legislature on February 11, 2025, with no support (0 yeas, 91 nays).
HB 1321 amends North Dakota's medical marijuana laws to adjust possession and purchase limits for registered patients and caregivers. It increases the standard monthly purchase limit from 2.5 ounces to 3 ounces (85.05 grams) of smokable cannabis and raises the maximum possession limit from 3 ounces to 4.5 ounces (127.57 grams), with higher "enhanced" limits of 9 ounces (255.15 grams) for patients with cancer-related conditions. The bill also updates registry identification cards to include designations for enhanced limits and requires THC concentration limits of 9,000 milligrams per month for all products. Additionally, it modifies renewal fees for compassion centers, capping them at $90,000 for dispensaries and $110,000 for manufacturing facilities.
HB 1102 appropriates $775,000 from North Dakota's general fund to the Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation for cybercrime resources. The funding will hire two full-time cybercrime agents and cover related equipment costs for the 2025-2027 biennium, with $161,000 designated for one-time equipment purchases. This bill directly affects police departments in northeastern North Dakota cities with at least 50,000 residents, requiring the new agents to assist those departments specifically with cybercrime prevention and detection. The measure is purely a funding allocation, not a policy change, focused on staffing and resources for a defined geographic area.
SB 2206 changes North Dakota law regarding civil lawsuits involving commercial motor carriers (like trucking companies) and safety belt usage. It reduces the statute of limitations for certain injury or death claims from three years to two years and caps non-economic damages (like pain and suffering) at $500,000 per case against these carriers. The bill also clarifies that failing to wear a safety belt in a vehicle, as required by law, cannot be used as direct evidence of negligence in court but may reduce awarded damages by up to 1% if proven to have contributed to the injury. These changes apply specifically to civil actions arising from commercial motor vehicle operations.
HR 5001 is a non-binding resolution introduced by the North Dakota House of Representatives. It urges the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse its 2015 *Obergefell v. Hodges* decision, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, and restore marriage to its "traditional" definition as a union between one man and one woman. The resolution argues the Supreme Court's ruling conflicts with the Constitution, historical legal traditions, and state sovereignty, claiming it undermines religious liberty and the principle that marriage has been defined as between one man and one woman for centuries. The bill was introduced in January 2025 but was withdrawn from consideration the same month and has no legal effect.
Relating to the chairman and vice chairman of the legislative management; to provide for application; and to declare an emergency.
Relating to the provision of an income tax credit for purchases of manufacturing and animal agricultural machinery and equipment to automate a manufacturing or animal agricultural process; to amend and reenact subdivision j of subsection 3 of section 54‑35‑26 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to evaluation of economic development tax incentives; and to provide an effective date.
Relating to the publication and distribution of water resource board meeting minutes.
Relating to the closure of the public employees retirement system main plan, the deferred compensation program, and expansion of the defined contribution retirement plan; to amend and reenact paragraph 1 of subdivision a of subsection 1 of section 15‑39.1‑10.3, sections 54‑52‑01, 54‑52‑02.5, 54‑52‑02.9, 54‑52‑02.11, and 54‑52‑02.12, subsection 2 of section 54‑52‑05, sections 54‑52‑06 and 54‑52‑14.3, subdivision b of subsection 1 of section 54‑52‑17.2, and sections 54‑52.6‑01, 54‑52.6‑02, 54‑52.6‑03, 54‑52.6‑05, 54‑52.6‑08, 54‑52.6‑09, 54‑52.6‑10, 54‑52.6‑13, 54‑52.6‑15, 54‑52.6‑19, and 57‑51.1‑07.5 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the public employees retirement system defined benefit and defined contribution retirement plans and the state share of oil and gas taxes; to repeal sections 54‑52‑06.5 and 54‑52.6‑03 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to public employees retirement system retirement plan contribution rates upon reaching full funding and balance transfer when opting to participate in the defined contribution plan; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide for a transfer; to provide for application; and to provide an effective date.
Relating to duties of the state auditor.
Relating to permitting private tutors on public school premises; to amend and reenact section 15.1‑07‑26, subsection 8 of section 15.1‑15‑02, subsections 2 and 6 of section 15.1‑19‑10, section 15.1‑27‑03.1, subsection 4 of section 15.1‑27‑03.2, section 15.1‑27‑04.1, and subsection 5 of section 15.1‑36‑08 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to school district enrollment, the definition of "probationary teacher", a school district's policy governing possession of a weapon, the definition of "dangerous weapon", modification of weighting factors, transition maximums and an increase in per student payments, and the school construction revolving loan fund; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide a legislative management report; to provide an appropriation; to provide for an exemption; to provide for a transfer; and to provide an effective date.
Relating to public assistance for pregnant women.
