Sen. Mark Enget

Relating to a limited exemption for development incentive wells; to amend and reenact sections 57‑51‑02.6, 57‑51‑05, and 57‑51.1‑01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the temporary exemption for oil and gas wells employing a system to avoid flaring, an exemption from gross production tax for gas produced from certain enhanced oil recovery projects, and the definition of development incentive well; to provide an effective date; and to provide an expiration date.

Maddy summaryThis North Dakota concurrent resolution (SCR 4017) declares pornography a public health hazard and directs the Legislative Management to study its detrimental impacts. It specifically calls for examining how pornography affects children's development, contributes to societal issues like sex trafficking, and causes individual health problems such as relationship difficulties and addiction. The resolution does not create new laws but requests a formal study to inform future education, prevention, and policy efforts. It was passed unanimously (93-1) and signed by leadership in April 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1209 requires the Department of Emergency Services to conduct a threat assessment specifically focused on foreign adversaries. Following this assessment, the bill mandates that the department provide a report detailing its findings to legislative management. This process aims to inform state leaders about potential risks and vulnerabilities posed by foreign adversaries, contributing to state security planning.

Relating to prohibiting approval voting and ranked‑choice voting in elections; and to amend and reenact subsection 7 of section 11‑09.1‑05 and subsection 9 of section 40‑05.1‑06 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to home rule powers in counties and cities.

Maddy summarySB 2296 amends North Dakota Century Code section 57-40.6-01 regarding emergency services communications systems. The bill's official abstract states it relates to these systems but does not provide specific details about the amendments or their impact. Without additional context on the proposed changes to the code section, the key mechanisms, affected parties, or concrete policy modifications cannot be determined. A full summary requires the actual text of the amendment or a detailed legislative summary. The current abstract is too brief to describe the bill's substance or effects.

Maddy summaryHB 1257 amends North Dakota's legislative code to set specific timing, duration, and agenda requirements for the organizational session of the state legislature. It requires all newly elected and continuing legislators to meet in Bismarck during the first two weeks of December in even-numbered years for a session lasting at least five business days. The bill mandates that the organizational session agenda include mandatory items like new legislator orientation, committee reports, party caucus discussions, budget presentations, and procedural reviews. This procedural bill directly affects all North Dakota state legislators by standardizing how the legislature prepares for its annual regular session. The changes aim to ensure the legislature is fully organized and ready to begin substantive work by the start of the regular session.

Maddy summaryHB 1183 requires North Dakota's state treasurer to invest at least 1% of general fund money in gold or silver bullion, coins, or approved investment instruments, held directly or through a qualified custodian. It mandates the treasurer to develop management policies for these investments and conduct a study on their costs and benefits - including inflation and economic stability impacts - reporting findings to lawmakers by June 2026. The investment rule would take effect on July 1, 2027, while the study must be completed during the 2025-26 legislative interim. The bill directly affects how the state treasurer manages state funds and requires specific reporting on gold/silver investments.

Maddy summaryHCR 3013 is a non-binding resolution passed by North Dakota's legislature urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn its 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision, which established same-sex marriage as legal nationwide. The resolution argues that Obergefell conflicts with the U.S. Constitution and traditional marriage definitions, and it requests the Court restore marriage to "a union between one man and one woman." It failed to pass in the legislature on March 13, 2025, and has no legal effect on marriage laws. This resolution expresses legislative opinion only and does not alter any existing marriage statutes or court rulings.

Maddy summaryHB 1379 would create a tax deduction for North Dakota residents and businesses selling qualifying gold or silver bullion. It allows taxpayers to reduce their taxable income by the profit (capital gain) from selling bullion that meets specific purity standards (999 parts per 1,000). The bill defines "bullion" as refined precious metal where value depends on metal content, not form, and applies only to gains included in federal taxable income. This change would apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024, if enacted. The bill failed to pass in March 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1244 would create a North Dakota income tax credit for parents who home-educate their children. It allows taxpayers to claim a credit of up to $10,000 per qualifying child annually (or $5,000 for married filers filing separately) for qualified educational expenses like books, tuition, computers, and software. To qualify, the child must be a dependent under 19, home-educated under North Dakota law, and the expenses must be directly related to home education. The credit would apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, and cannot exceed the taxpayer’s total income tax liability. This bill directly affects North Dakota parents who homeschool their children and choose to claim this tax benefit.