Maddy summarySB 2290 amends North Dakota law governing punitive damages (also called "exemplary damages"). It clarifies that courts or juries may only award these punitive damages when a defendant's conduct involves "oppression, fraud, or actual malice," proven by clear and convincing evidence. The bill sets strict procedural rules: a party must first file a motion with supporting evidence to seek punitive damages, and the award cannot exceed twice the compensatory damages or $250,000. It also prohibits punitive damages against manufacturers who complied with federal safety standards and adds specific rules for drunk driving cases involving recent DUI convictions. This law directly affects plaintiffs seeking punitive damages, defendants, and courts handling such claims in North Dakota.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 1496 amends North Dakota law to clarify landlords' responsibilities for maintaining rental properties. It requires landlords to comply with health/safety building codes, make necessary repairs, keep common areas clean, maintain essential systems (like plumbing and heating), and provide running water and reasonable heat (68°F Oct-April, seasonally appropriate May-Sept). The bill allows written agreements between landlords and tenants of single-family homes for tenants to handle specific tasks (like waste removal), but only with good faith and separate written terms. It explicitly states landlords cannot make such agreements a condition for rental obligations. This directly affects landlords and tenants in North Dakota residential rentals.
Maddy summaryHB 1529 adds Peace Corps volunteers to North Dakota's list of individuals eligible for resident tuition rates at state universities. Specifically, it amends the state code to include "an individual certified by the director of the Peace Corps as having served satisfactorily as a Peace Corps volunteer" under the definition of a "resident student." This change directly affects Peace Corps volunteers who wish to attend North Dakota colleges or universities at in-state tuition rates. The bill does not alter existing eligibility categories for veterans, military members, or other groups.
Maddy summaryHB 1217 repeals North Dakota's section 12.1-20-17 of the Century Code, which previously made it a crime to willfully transfer body fluids containing HIV. This procedural bill removes an existing criminal penalty related to HIV transmission through body fluids. The repeal directly affects individuals who might have faced prosecution under this specific law. The bill was signed into law by the Governor on March 19, 2025.
Relating to the creation of the North Dakota Ireland trade commission; to provide for a legislative management report; and to provide an expiration date.
Maddy summarySB 2211 establishes a program to recruit and retain attorneys in underserved rural areas of North Dakota. It allows counties with 16,500 or fewer residents or municipalities with 5,000 or fewer residents to apply for participation. Eligible attorneys must commit to practicing full-time in a participating area for five years to receive a $45,000 incentive, paid in five annual installments (35% from the local government, 15% from bar associations, and 50% from the state). The program requires repayment if attorneys leave early and prohibits participation in other similar state or federal programs.
Maddy summaryHCR 3005 is a North Dakota legislative resolution urging the 119th U.S. Congress to add the names of 74 U.S. Navy sailors who died when the USS Frank E. Evans collided with an Australian ship in 1969 to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. It specifically requests Congress amend memorial inclusion criteria to recognize these sailors, who were on combat support missions in the South China Sea during Operation Sea Spirit. The resolution cites evidence showing the ship was engaged in combat support operations, aligning with eligibility under Title 38 of the U.S. Code. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change federal law but formally requests congressional action to honor the sailors, including two from North Dakota (Patrick Glennon and Robert Seale).
Maddy summaryHB 1403 designates the third Friday in September each year as "Prisoner of War and Missing in Action Day" in North Dakota. The bill requires the governor to issue an annual proclamation recognizing this day to honor military personnel held captive or missing in action. It specifically clarifies that this designation does not mandate school or business closures, as it is a ceremonial observance, not a mandated holiday. The bill was signed into law by the governor on March 14, 2025.
Maddy summaryHCR 3023 is a symbolic resolution (not a law) passed by the North Dakota legislature to affirm its commitment to maintaining essential state services like education, law enforcement, and public health regardless of federal funding changes. It urges state agencies to assess risks from federal funding shifts and seek solutions, while also calling for collaboration with tribal nations and advocacy with federal partners. The resolution does not create new funding or alter existing laws - it is a non-binding statement of legislative intent. It was introduced in January 2025, advanced through committee, but ultimately failed to pass on February 20, 2025.
Maddy summaryHB 1399 amends North Dakota law to set witness compensation at $25 per day for civil or criminal court appearances (excluding municipal court) and requires mileage reimbursement at the same rate paid to state employees. It limits criminal case witness expenses to $30,000 per county every two years, with the attorney general covering prosecution witnesses and the legal aid commission covering indigent defense witnesses. Prisoners cannot be paid as witnesses under this bill. The law also allows counties exceeding the funding cap to share unused funds with other counties, subject to attorney general approval.