Immigration

Relating to the prohibition of sanctuary city policies and to create the sanctuary compliance fund; to provide a penalty; and to provide a continuing appropriation.

HB 1291, despite its title suggesting a "legislative management study," actually creates new enforcement provisions targeting employment of unauthorized workers in North Dakota. The bill prohibits private employers from hiring or continuing to employ unauthorized workers (defined per federal law) and requires labor commissioner investigations for violations, with cases referred to the attorney general for prosecution. Penalties include escalating civil fines ($5,000 to $30,000) and business license suspensions or revocations for repeated offenses. The bill failed to pass the legislature on April 4, 2025, with 44 votes against and 1 in favor.

This bill updates North Dakota's rules for corporate farms and ranching LLCs by clarifying what constitutes farming/ranching, requiring all owners to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and mandating detailed annual reports. It directly affects corporate and LLC entities operating agricultural businesses in North Dakota, particularly those with non-U.S. ownership. Key provisions include defining farming activities (excluding certain services), setting citizenship requirements for all shareholders/members, and requiring disclosure of ownership percentages, citizenship status, and voting structures. The annual reports must detail each owner's citizenship, business involvement, and corporate structure.