Rep. Austin Foss

Relating to noncriminal marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol, or paraphernalia violations; to amend and reenact subsection 2 of section 19‑03.1‑22.3, subdivision d of subsection 7 of section 19‑03.1‑23, subsection 9 of section 19‑03.1‑23, and subsection 4 of section 19‑03.4‑03 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to penalties for the ingestion and possession of marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol, or paraphernalia; and to provide a penalty.

Relating to the state information technology research center, advanced technology review committee, compute credits grant program, and advanced technology grant fund.

Maddy summarySB 2238 allows tenants evicted under North Dakota law to request the sealing of their court records after meeting specific conditions. Generally, individuals can petition to seal records seven years after satisfying the eviction order. Survivors of domestic violence who were evicted during their tenancy may immediately petition to seal records upon a conviction for domestic violence or issuance of a restraining order against their abuser. This bill directly affects evicted tenants, particularly those who experienced domestic violence, by removing their eviction records from public access.

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 1563 is a procedural bill that establishes a legislative study on tribal land taxation in North Dakota. It directs the state's legislative management to analyze issues related to taxing land owned by enrolled tribal members living within tribal reservations, including federal law, court decisions, state property tax exemptions for Native Americans, and tribal sovereignty conflicts. The study, to be completed during the 2025-26 interim, will examine how state and tribal tax authority interact and report findings with policy recommendations to the 70th Legislative Assembly. This bill does not change current tax laws but creates a formal process to review existing policies affecting tribal members and reservations.

Maddy summaryHB 1518 would update North Dakota's traffic code to clarify rules for driving around rotary traffic islands (roundabouts). It requires vehicles to drive only to the right of such islands and mandates drivers to signal before exiting a rotary. The bill specifically applies to drivers navigating designated roundabouts on one-way roadways, as defined in the amended traffic code section. This proposal did not pass the legislature, with 3 votes in favor and 43 against.

Relating to a tax on cigars, other tobacco products, alternative tobacco products, electronic smoking devices, and electronic smoking device substances and a tobacco tax distribution fund; to amend and reenact section 57‑36‑01, subsection 1 of section 57‑36‑31, and section 57‑36‑32 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the definition of alternative tobacco products, transfer and allocation of tobacco products tax revenue and tax on cigarettes; to provide a penalty; to provide a continuing appropriation; and to provide an effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 1509 amends North Dakota's Century Code (section 4.1-09-19) to clarify procedures for oilseed producers seeking refunds of assessments paid to the oilseed council. Producers must submit a refund request within 60 days of payment and provide assessment records within 90 days after one year, triggering a 30-day refund processing window by the council. The bill requires the council to provide a refund form online and sets a $5 minimum refund threshold. It does not change the assessment amount or create new policies, only standardizing the refund process for affected producers.

Maddy summaryHB 1438 appropriates $1.1 million from North Dakota's general fund for a historic theater restoration grant program administered by the state historical society. The program provides grants to organizations restoring historic theaters located in cities with populations exceeding 100,000, requiring recipients to secure matching funds from nonstate sources on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Funding is available for the biennium starting July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027, and is designated as one-time funding. This bill directly affects eligible theater restoration organizations in qualifying cities through targeted grant support for preservation efforts.

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.