Relating to national guard or federal service leave of absence for state and political subdivision employees and the definition of veteran; and to declare an emergency.
SB 2120 transfers $35.7 million from North Dakota's Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund to the Highway Patrol Troopers' Retirement System Fund. This transfer directly benefits highway patrol troopers by increasing the retirement fund's financial coverage to 90% of its required liability by January 2026. The funds will be used during the 2025-2027 biennium to strengthen the retirement system's financial stability. The bill is a straightforward financial adjustment with no new policy provisions.
SB 2135 amends North Dakota law to increase the biennial funding transfer to the firefighters' death benefits fund from $50,125 to $50,125 (correcting a typo in the bill text) and sets a $10,025 payment for survivors of firefighters who died while performing duties. The bill requires fire department chiefs or their designees to verify line-of-duty deaths before payments are made. It directly affects surviving family members of deceased firefighters and the state insurance commissioner who manages the fund. The changes became law after being signed by the governor on March 17, 2025.
SB 2016 appropriates $6.7 million from North Dakota's general fund for Job Service North Dakota to cover salaries, operations, and other expenses during the 2025-2027 biennium. The bill also includes $76 million in total funding (from general, federal, and other sources) to support job services, including $10.9 million specifically for modernizing the state's unemployment insurance computer system. This funding directly affects Job Service North Dakota's operations, enabling it to maintain staff, cover daily costs, and upgrade its unemployment claims processing technology. The bill does not create new policies but provides financial resources for existing services and infrastructure.
HB 1495 amends North Dakota law to require state and local government employers (including agencies, departments, and political subdivisions) to grant unpaid leave to employees serving as legislators during legislative sessions or committee meetings. The bill ensures that employees returning from this leave retain their original position, seniority, pay, and benefits, and prohibits employers from terminating or discriminating against employees due to their legislative service or candidacy. It directly affects legislative members who are employed by government entities, protecting their jobs while they serve in the legislature.
HB 1608 would require North Dakota employers to grant employees at least 24 consecutive hours of leave for rest or religious observance on Sundays or recognized religious holidays, without restricting the duration. It prohibits employers from denying such leave and mandates that the labor commissioner investigate complaints, impose a $500 fine for violations, and may refer cases to a state attorney. Employers are exempt if leave denial results from an unavoidable emergency. The bill, which failed to pass the legislature in February 2025, is a proposed policy change affecting all North Dakota employees seeking religious leave.
HCR 3032 is a proposed constitutional amendment (not a regular bill) that would establish a minimum wage of $9.25 per hour for all North Dakota workers, effective January 1, 2027. It requires annual automatic increases tied to the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) for urban consumers, rounded up to the nearest five cents, with the first adjustment based on the 2025 CPI data. If approved by voters in 2026, this would directly affect all employers across the state by mandating these wage standards. The amendment must be ratified by North Dakota voters at the 2026 general election, as it modifies the state constitution.
HB 1007 appropriates $2,654,336 from North Dakota's general fund to cover the Department of Labor and Human Rights' expenses for the 2025-2027 biennium. The funding supports salaries ($2,787,854), operating costs ($378,407), and covers 13 full-time equivalent positions. This bill directly affects the department's budget operations without changing laws or policies.
HB 1599 creates a formal state leave sharing program for permanent North Dakota state employees. It allows employees to donate accrued annual or sick leave to colleagues facing pregnancy or severe, extreme, or life-threatening medical conditions (for themselves or immediate family), requiring medical certification. The program limits donated leave to four months per year, excludes temporary or contracted staff, and mandates the Office of Management and Budget to track usage and adopt implementing rules. This policy directly affects permanent state employees needing extended leave due to qualifying health circumstances.
HCR 3009 is a North Dakota legislative resolution urging the federal government to adopt trade policies that penalize countries with high pollution levels (like China and Russia) while supporting U.S. businesses and workers. It specifically calls for holding foreign producers to environmental standards comparable to U.S. domestic rules, aiming to reduce reliance on imports from high-emission countries and boost domestic manufacturing. The resolution directly affects U.S. industries and workers by advocating for trade rules that address environmental and economic concerns raised by North Dakota, including mineral supply chain vulnerabilities. It does not create new laws but formally requests federal action, with North Dakota’s legislature directing copies to U.S. leaders and its congressional delegation. The resolution focuses on policy changes to align trade with environmental accountability, without specifying exact mechanisms like tariffs.
