Sen. Chuck Walen

Relating to the determination of state school aid, the primary residence credit, and removal of the homestead and disabled veterans' credit; to repeal sections 57‑02‑08.1, 57‑02‑08.2, and 57‑02‑08.8 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the homestead credit and disabled veterans' credit; to provide an effective date; and to declare an emergency.

Relating to state education funding for all students in the state; to amend and reenact sections 15.1‑27‑02 and 57‑15‑01.1, subsection 1 of section 57‑15‑14, section 57‑15‑14.2, and subdivision c of subsection 1 of section 57‑20‑07.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to required reports, school district levy authority, and information displayed on property tax statements; to repeal sections 15.1‑27‑04.1, 15.1‑27‑04.2, 15.1‑27‑04.3, 15.1‑27‑15.1, 15.1‑27‑20.2, and 15.1‑29‑15 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to adjustments to state aid payments and a property tax levy for tuition payments; and to provide an effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 1273 would prohibit North Dakota cities, counties, and the state from adopting policies, orders, or ordinances that restrict individual speech - including those related to hate crimes. The bill states that any such local policy would be invalid and cannot be overridden by city or county home rule charters. It directly affects municipal governments and local regulations by blocking restrictions on speech at the community level. The law would take effect if passed, making speech-limiting local rules unenforceable.

Maddy summaryHB 1309 would require North Dakota state agencies to verify that companies they contract with do not boycott energy (including fossil fuels), mining, production agriculture, or firearms industries. Companies must confirm they aren’t refusing business with entities in these sectors to penalize them, as defined by the bill. This applies to for-profit businesses with 10+ employees and $100,000+ in value. Exceptions exist if services aren’t commercially available or if the contract conflicts with legal duties. The bill is pending, having failed committee review in January 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2304 would have required North Dakota's state treasurer to withhold all tribal oil and gas tax revenue allocations starting August 2025, placing them in an escrow account at the Bank of North Dakota. Funds could only be released after two conditions were met: (1) a new agreement between tribal governments and the governor under this law, and (2) tribes submitted required federal audit reports to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The bill directly affected tribal nations receiving oil and gas tax revenues and the state treasurer's office. It was introduced on January 20, 2025, but withdrawn from consideration on January 29, 2025, without becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 1461 would have created a state-funded tribal health care coordination fund to support tribal governments in North Dakota. The bill required the state to distribute funds to tribes based on their federal care coordination funding, with strict rules: funds must cover specific public health services (capping capital construction at 50% until 2025, then 35%), and tribes would need to submit annual reports and biennial audits by independent auditors. The state would withhold funds for late reports or misuse, and could resume payments once compliance was verified. This bill was introduced in January 2025 but withdrawn before further consideration.

Maddy summarySB 2178 amends North Dakota's election laws to update how voter data is stored and accessed. It specifies that the central voter file must include personal details like name, address, voting history, and driver's license numbers, while restricting access to certain data fields for political candidates and parties. The bill clarifies that only designated voter information (such as address and election preferences) can be used for election-related purposes, and "secured active" voter records remain private. It also standardizes absentee ballot application requirements for primary elections. The bill focuses on administrative clarity for voter file management.