Sen. Randy Lemm

Relating to the determination of state aid, boarding care costs, the coal development trust fund, the school construction assistance revolving loan fund, public improvement construction, bonds from contractors for public improvements, and school district levies; and to provide an effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 1524 creates a formal grant program allowing North Dakota's Department of Commerce to fund regional planning councils. The bill directs the department to award grants supporting local implementation of state programs like housing, workforce development, rural economic initiatives, and local food systems, subject to annual legislative funding. These grants can cover program execution, resource development, and efforts to attract public or private investment in communities. The law, signed by the governor in May 2025, directly affects regional planning councils and the local communities they serve.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1429 updates North Dakota's laws concerning harassment and stalking. It specifically amends existing statutes to include acts committed "with a robot." This means that using a robot to harass or stalk another person would now be explicitly covered under these laws, making such actions illegal. The bill also specifies that a penalty would apply to individuals found guilty of these offenses.

Maddy summaryBased on the provided information, HB 1330 amends and reenacts a section of the North Dakota Century Code (21-10-07.1) pertaining to the prudent investor rule. The specific changes to the rule or its direct effects on individuals or entities are not detailed in the given context.

Maddy summaryHB 1368 amends North Dakota Century Code section 28-32-18 to modify the administrative rules committee's authority to void agency rules. The bill directly affects the committee and state agencies that create administrative rules by changing the process for voiding those rules. It specifies new procedures for the committee's power to invalidate rules but does not alter the substantive content of agency regulations. This is a procedural change to administrative rule review processes.

Relating to the regulation of odors in an animal feeding operation and zoning authority over animal feeding operations in counties and townships; and to provide an effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 1610 prohibits landlords in North Dakota from including specific unfair terms in rental lease agreements, directly affecting both landlords and renters. The bill adds clear definitions to state law banning provisions like banning pets without reason, requiring excessive fees, or restricting tenant access to security deposits. Key mechanisms include listing exact prohibited clauses that landlords cannot enforce in contracts for leasing real property. This creates standardized, transparent rental terms without using legal jargon.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (SCR 4012) from the North Dakota legislature urges Congress to permit the use of M-44 sodium cyanide devices on private land. It directly affects livestock producers and wildlife management programs by seeking to allow these devices to control predators that threaten livestock and endangered species. The resolution states that when used with landowner permission and safety measures (like warning signs), the devices pose no occupational risk to humans. As a non-binding request to Congress, it does not change current law but asks for legislative action to permit their use on private property.

Relating to parental involvement in a child's education; and to amend and reenact section 14‑09‑32.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a parent's interest in a child's upbringing.

Maddy summaryHB 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.