Technology

passed · North Dakota · House Feb 17, 2025

HB 1239: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 11-33, a new section to chapter 40-47, a new chapter to title 51, and a new section to chapter 58-03 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to blockchain technology and protection for digital asset mining.

HB 1239 protects digital asset mining operations in North Dakota by preventing local governments from banning or restricting them in residential areas (if noise rules are followed) or imposing stricter rules than for other commercial businesses. It exempts blockchain-related activities - like operating nodes, mining, or developing blockchain software - from requiring a money transmitter license. The bill defines key terms such as "digital asset" (including cryptocurrencies and NFTs) and "digital asset mining" (using computers to validate blockchain transactions). These provisions directly affect miners, blockchain businesses, and local zoning authorities by creating clear regulatory boundaries for the industry.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProtects digital asset mining from local bans and exempts blockchain activities from licensing, advancing technology adoption per bill's explicit protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Emerging Technology

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passed · North Dakota · House Feb 24, 2025

HB 1249: A BILL for an Act to provide appropriations to the attorney general, the department of career and technical education, the department of health and human services, and the agriculture commissioner for autonomous technology grants; to provide for a legislative management study; and to provide a report.

HB 1249 allocates one-time state funds for autonomous technology grants to four state agencies: $250,000 to the Attorney General for law enforcement tools (like drones for missing persons searches), $500,000 to Career and Technical Education for workforce training in oil/gas, $250,000 to Health and Human Services for rural emergency response, and $500,000 to the Agriculture Commissioner for farm technology. Each agency must establish application guidelines requiring grant recipients to certify their use of autonomous tech (e.g., drones, vehicles) aligns with the agency’s mission and provide a 1:4 matching fund ratio. Recipients must report grant usage to lawmakers during the 2025-2026 interim. The bill covers a two-year period starting July 2025, with all funding designated as one-time.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAllocates $1.5M for autonomous tech grants including law enforcement drones, farm tech, and workforce training, directly funding technology advancement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Emerging Technology

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signed · North Dakota · House Mar 31, 2025

HB 1200: AN ACT to amend and reenact section 15.1-21-02.2 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the waiver and substitution of one unit required for high school graduation under emergent circumstances.

HB 1200 amends North Dakota's high school graduation requirements to require one unit of computer science or cybersecurity (subdivision h) for all students, effective after July 31, 2025. It allows schools to grant credit for up to one unit of coursework under "emergent circumstances" (e.g., natural disasters disrupting normal education) by substituting alternative courses like dual-credit or electives. This applies to students in North Dakota public and nonpublic high schools who demonstrate such emergencies. The bill also updates existing GED credit provisions but focuses primarily on creating flexibility for emergency disruptions to graduation requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates computer science/cybersecurity as graduation requirement, expanding curriculum standards and educational access for all high school students.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates cybersecurity education for high school graduation, directly enhancing cybersecurity skills and aligning with topic's focus on cybersecurity.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Cybersecurity

signed · North Dakota · House Mar 19, 2025

HB 1357: AN ACT to amend and reenact subsection 1 of section 15.1-06-06, and sections 15.1-07-25.3 and 15.1-07-33 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to protection of student data and data sharing agreements; and to provide an effective date.

HB 1357 amends North Dakota law to strengthen student data privacy protections for school districts. It requires school boards to adopt written policies mandating permission from the board before sharing student data with non-employees (except parents or as legally required), allowing data sharing with state entities only through formal agreements, and requiring districts to maintain and publicly provide lists of all individuals and personnel with data access. The law directly affects all North Dakota public school districts by establishing clear, enforceable rules for handling student information. These provisions aim to increase transparency and control over how student data is used and shared.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationStrengthens student data privacy protections requiring board approval for data sharing and public access lists, directly protecting student information in educational settings.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly strengthens student data privacy protections by requiring written policies, restricting non-employee data sharing, and mandating public access logs, aligning with data privacy protections as a support indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

failed · North Dakota · House Jan 21, 2025

HB 1320: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 12.1-31 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to prohibiting deepfake videos and images; and to provide a penalty.

HB 1320 would prohibit creating or distributing AI-altered videos or images that falsely depict someone without their consent, with the intent to deceive. This applies to anyone sharing such "deepfake" content, including on social media or other platforms. Violations would be classified as a class A misdemeanor, potentially resulting in fines or jail time. The law specifically targets deceptive digital content meant to harm reputations or spread misinformation.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits deceptive deepfakes to protect privacy and prevent misinformation, aligning with data privacy and digital rights protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Social Media

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signed · North Dakota · House Jun 11, 2025

HB 1448: AN ACT to create and enact a new chapter to title 54 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the advanced technology review committee, advanced technology grant program, and advanced technology grant fund.

HB 1448 creates a new section in North Dakota state law to establish an Advanced Technology Review Committee, an Advanced Technology Grant Program, and a dedicated grant fund. The bill sets up a formal system for awarding grants to support advanced technology initiatives, with the committee managing applications and the fund providing financial resources. This directly affects organizations, businesses, or institutions seeking funding for technology projects within the state. The key mechanism is the creation of a structured, state-funded program to advance technology development through grants.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates grant program funding advanced tech initiatives, directly advancing innovation through dedicated funding and committee oversight.95% confidence

failed · North Dakota · House Feb 7, 2025

HB 1102: A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation to the attorney general for bureau of criminal investigation cybercrime resources.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $775,000 from general fund for cybercrime resources, directly funding public safety infrastructure per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill appropriates $775,000 to fund cybercrime agents and equipment, directly strengthening law enforcement resources within criminal justice as defined in the topic description.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds cybercrime agents and equipment to enhance cybersecurity efforts, directly supporting digital security infrastructure95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Policing

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