Sen. Diane Larson

Maddy summaryHB 1293 creates a North Dakota program providing small, durable medallions to identify veteran status on headstones or grave markers. It directly affects National Guard and National Guard Reserve members buried outside state veterans' cemeteries who do not qualify for existing state or federal medallions. The Department of Veterans' Affairs will administer the program, issuing these medallions as a way to honor veterans' service on their existing gravesites. The bill establishes this as a new policy under North Dakota law, effective after the Governor signed it on March 14, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1372 would create a new licensing system for litigation financiers in North Dakota, requiring them to obtain a license from the Commissioner of Financial Institutions. It defines key terms like "litigation financer" (entities funding lawsuits for a share of recovery) and "litigation financing contract," while exempting standard contingency fee agreements between lawyers and clients. The bill mandates written applications with specific details, $800 in non-refundable fees (including $400 for investigation), and public disclosure of all filings. This regulation directly affects businesses providing lawsuit funding, not individual consumers or legal representatives in standard cases.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 1456 would establish a framework for certified chaplains in North Dakota public schools, allowing school districts to hire or volunteer certified chaplains (defined as those certified by national/state organizations or endorsed by religious groups) to provide support to students, staff, or parents. The bill requires background checks for all chaplains, prohibits individuals required to register as sex offenders from serving, and protects chaplains from liability unless actions were maliciously intended to harm. It allocates $500,000 from the state general fund for 2025-2027 to cover chaplain salaries, training, oversight, and program evaluation, with districts limited to $200,000 per school. The bill directly affects public school districts, chaplains, and students/staff seeking spiritual support, while exempting chaplains from standard education licensing requirements.

Relating to the creation of a tobacco tax distribution behavioral health fund and the collection, transfer, and report of a tax on electronic smoking devices and alternative tobacco products; to amend and reenact sections 57‑36‑01, 57‑36‑25, 57‑36‑26, 57‑36‑31, and 57‑36‑32 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the tax imposed on cigarettes and other tobacco products; to provide a penalty; and to provide an effective date.

Maddy summarySB 2182 streamlines how North Dakota state agencies can amend or repeal administrative rules by allowing direct agreement between the agency and the Administrative Rules Committee, bypassing standard public comment and review processes. It directly affects state agencies that create rules and the committee responsible for reviewing them. The key provision (Section 6) permits agencies to change rules through committee agreement without following full adoption requirements, though the committee must reconsider the change at a future meeting if requested by the agency or public. This bill does not change the rules themselves but alters the process for modifying them.

Maddy summaryHB 1262 amends North Dakota law governing guardianships for incapacitated adults, directly affecting court-appointed guardians and the individuals under their care. The bill requires courts to prioritize the ward’s self-reliance, mandate strict findings of incapacity (rejecting age or medical diagnosis alone), and demand consideration of existing powers of attorney before appointing a guardian. Key provisions include limiting guardians’ authority to only necessary powers, requiring detailed asset inventories within 90 days, and establishing mandatory 5-year reviews to determine if guardianship remains necessary. The law also protects specific rights like voting, changing marital status, and retaining a driver’s license, ensuring guardianship remains the least restrictive option.

Maddy summarySB 2102 is a procedural bill that would amend North Dakota's court code to clarify the process for submitting a written request to change a judge in a case. It specifically addresses the requirements and application of such a demand, directly affecting parties involved in court proceedings who seek to replace a judge. The bill does not change substantive law but outlines the formal procedure for requesting a judge change. It was introduced in January 2025 but failed to pass in the legislature.

Maddy summarySB 2095 would amend North Dakota law to allow active law enforcement officers to be excused from jury duty. The bill requires officers to apply for this exemption through a specific process outlined in the law. It directly affects law enforcement officers in North Dakota by creating a formal procedure to reduce their obligation to serve on juries.