HB 1602 changes North Dakota's public employee retirement system by closing the traditional defined benefit plan to new hires starting January 1, 2025. Instead, new permanent employees (excluding those in specific exception roles like teachers, law enforcement, or university staff) must join a defined contribution retirement plan. Existing members who joined before 2025 remain in the defined benefit plan, and political subdivisions (like cities or counties) may choose whether to participate in the new defined contribution plan. The bill clarifies that local governments are not required to offer either retirement plan, and no fees apply if they withdraw from the defined contribution system.
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.
