HB 1331 appropriates $1.75 million (including up to $250,000 from dining services revenues) to North Dakota State College of Science for a one-time construction project. The funds are specifically designated to build an artificial turf playing surface, effective immediately and ending June 30, 2027. The bill declares an emergency to expedite this funding allocation. This measure directly affects the college's athletic facilities and requires no legislative action beyond the appropriation.
HB 1268 would require human service zones in North Dakota to mandate drug testing for parents whose drug use contributed to a child's out-of-home placement (e.g., foster care). Parents would need to pass a test before resuming unsupervised visits with their child, with additional testing allowed for safety planning. The bill excludes marijuana from this requirement and allocates $100,000 from the general fund for testing costs during the 2025-2027 biennium. This bill failed to pass in the legislature (6-39 vote) and remains a proposed measure, not current law.
This bill exempts infrastructure fees collected by North Dakota cities and counties from local tax spending limits. It ensures fees for projects like roads, sewers, or utilities won't count toward the maximum taxes a city or county can levy under state law. The law applies to fees defined in specific sections of the North Dakota Century Code (including sections 11-11-55.1 and 40-22-01.3). This change directly affects how local governments fund infrastructure projects without triggering budget restrictions.
Relating to the cost of digital forensic examinations and the establishment of an internet crime investigation fund; to provide a continuing appropriation; and to provide a penalty.
HB 1252 creates a dedicated tribal health care coordination fund in North Dakota's state treasury, providing ongoing state funding to tribal governments for public health services. Funds are distributed based on each tribe's federal care coordination funding, with strict requirements: tribes must use funds for core public health services (limiting capital construction to 50% until 2027, then 35%), submit annual reports, and undergo biennial independent audits. The state department of health withholds funds for missing reports or improper use, and can restore distributions once compliance is verified. This bill directly affects North Dakota's tribal nations by establishing formalized, accountable funding for health programs aligned with federal public health priorities.
SB 2332 creates a new $25 million annual fund from state legacy earnings to support emergency services and public safety across North Dakota. The bill establishes an advisory board with representatives from fire, police, EMS, local governments, and tribal entities to award grants for specific priorities like recruiting personnel, modernizing response systems, expanding mental health crisis teams, and improving communications technology. These grants will directly assist local emergency services providers, rural fire districts, tribal governments, and communities seeking to enhance public safety coverage. The fund is funded through a dedicated annual transfer from the legacy earnings fund, with the Department of Emergency Services administering the grant program.
Relating to motor vehicle fuel tax, special fuels tax, and aviation fuel tax refunds for fuels purchased by fire departments; and to provide an effective date.
HB 1183 requires North Dakota's state treasurer to invest at least 1% of general fund money in gold or silver bullion, coins, or approved investment instruments, held directly or through a qualified custodian. It mandates the treasurer to develop management policies for these investments and conduct a study on their costs and benefits - including inflation and economic stability impacts - reporting findings to lawmakers by June 2026. The investment rule would take effect on July 1, 2027, while the study must be completed during the 2025-26 legislative interim. The bill directly affects how the state treasurer manages state funds and requires specific reporting on gold/silver investments.
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.
HB 1244 would create a North Dakota income tax credit for parents who home-educate their children. It allows taxpayers to claim a credit of up to $10,000 per qualifying child annually (or $5,000 for married filers filing separately) for qualified educational expenses like books, tuition, computers, and software. To qualify, the child must be a dependent under 19, home-educated under North Dakota law, and the expenses must be directly related to home education. The credit would apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, and cannot exceed the taxpayer’s total income tax liability. This bill directly affects North Dakota parents who homeschool their children and choose to claim this tax benefit.
