Rep. Mike Brandenburg

Maddy summaryHB 1201 modifies North Dakota law governing bridges and culverts over drainage systems that intersect roads. It requires the water resource board to construct bridges/culverts for private land access, with costs shared between the board and land districts, and mandates counties to maintain these structures with 40% cost responsibility. For state highway culverts crossing drains spanning three or more counties, the bill requires installation of control valve systems to manage water flow. This bill directly affects counties, water resource boards, and land districts responsible for drainage infrastructure maintenance and costs.

Relating to creating a farm management program within the department of agriculture; to amend and reenact section 15‑20.1‑03 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the powers and duties of the state board of career at technical education; and to provide an appropriation.

Relating to a motor vehicle excise tax exemption for abandoned motor vehicles; and to amend and reenact subsection 2 of section 23.1‑15‑07 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to excise tax on a motor vehicle taken into the custody of a commercial towing service.

Relating to conservation easements and leaseholds; and to amend and reenact sections 4.1‑01‑21, 4.1‑01‑21.1, and 49‑22‑09.2 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the federal environmental law impact review fund, the environmental impact mitigation fund, and mitigating environmental impacts; and to declare an emergency.

Maddy summaryHB 1480 would establish a process for non-legal owners to obtain a certificate of title for a motor vehicle that hasn't been registered for over ten years. To qualify, the requester must send a certified letter to the vehicle's last registered address and advertise the title request in a local newspaper for 14 days. If no response is received within 14 days and proof of compliance is provided, the state department would issue the title. This procedural bill directly affects individuals seeking to claim abandoned or long-unused vehicles. The bill failed to pass the legislature in March 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1381 revises North Dakota's school funding formula to determine state aid for public school districts. It establishes a baseline funding amount using 2017-18 revenue data (including property taxes, tuition, mineral revenue, and other specific income sources) and calculates per-student funding based on this baseline. Starting in the 2023-24 school year, the bill requires a 40% reduction in excess funding for districts exceeding the baseline, with annual reduction increases of 15% until the baseline per student matches the state's fixed payment rate. This affects all North Dakota public school districts by changing how their state aid is calculated and potentially reducing funding for those with higher historical revenue.

Maddy summarySB 2139 changes the fee for recording or rerecording livestock brands in North Dakota to $25.50 per application. This bill directly affects livestock owners who need to register or update brand markings on their animals. The key provision amends North Dakota Century Code section 4.1-73-14 to establish this specific fee amount. The bill was signed into law by the Governor on March 25, 2025, and filed with the Secretary of State on March 26, 2025. It represents a straightforward adjustment to administrative fees without altering livestock branding requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1551 creates new state regulations for products called "beneficial substances" (substances that improve plant or soil health without being pesticides or standard fertilizers). It requires sellers to label products with clear information like ingredients, usage instructions, and net weight, and to obtain a $100 distributor license for each location. Sellers must also pay $50 per product for registration and $10 or $0.20 per ton for inspections, with penalties for late fees. Certain common soil products like compost, mulch, and garden soil are exempt from full labeling rules. The law directly affects businesses selling these agricultural products in North Dakota.

Maddy summaryHB 1147 updates North Dakota's fee schedule for hunting and fishing licenses and permits, directly affecting residents and nonresidents purchasing these licenses. The bill specifies exact fees (e.g., $30 for a resident big game license, $250 for a nonresident big game license) and clarifies where funds are deposited - most to the game and fish fund, with $45 from each nonresident big game license funding a private land initiative. It also details fees for specialized permits like fishing licenses for seniors/disabled residents ($5), commercial frog licenses ($50 for residents), and aquatic nuisance species fees ($15 per motorboat). The changes are purely administrative, adjusting existing fee structures without introducing new regulations or eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 1235 amends North Dakota's agriculture infrastructure grant program to specifically fund road and bridge improvements needed for value-added agriculture businesses. It directs the agriculture commissioner (with transportation department input) to award grants to counties, cities, and townships for projects like corridor upgrades on local roads or access road/bridge repairs serving these businesses. The bill directly affects local governments managing infrastructure and businesses processing agricultural products (like food manufacturing or packaging). Key provisions require grants to target infrastructure directly supporting value-added agriculture operations, not general road maintenance. This law, signed by the governor on March 24, 2025, clarifies and expands the program's focus.