Sen. Randy Burckhard

Maddy summarySB 2265 authorizes North Dakota's Department of Veterans' Affairs to borrow up to $3 million from the Bank of North Dakota during the 2025-2027 biennium. This one-time funding is specifically for granting a nonprofit organization to cover construction costs of a welcome center, parking lot, and related infrastructure at a state veterans' national cemetery. The bill requires the department to certify U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs oversight before using funds and mandates repayment of the line of credit via a separate legislative appropriation. It also requires the grant recipient to submit detailed financial reports to the department, which must then share these with the legislative audit committee.

Relating to a legacy earnings fund, a legacy property tax relief fund, a primary residence certification, and a limitation on property tax levies without voter approval; to amend and reenact section 6‑09.4‑10.1, subsection 1 of section 21‑10‑06, sections 40‑40‑06, 54‑27‑19.3, and 57‑02‑01, subdivision c of subsection 1 of section 57‑02‑08.1, subdivision b of subsection 2 of section 57‑02‑08.1, section 57‑02‑08.8, section 57‑02‑08.9 as amended by section 1 of Senate Bill No. 2201, as approved by the sixty-ninth legislative assembly, sections 57‑02‑08.10, 57‑02‑27, 57‑02‑27.1, 57‑02‑53, 57‑09‑04, 57‑11‑03, 57‑12‑06, 57‑15‑02.2, 57‑15‑14.2, and 57‑20‑07.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to funds invested by the state investment board, property tax definitions, the homestead tax credit and renters refund, the property tax credit for disabled veterans, the primary residence credit, property classifications, assessment and budget hearing notices to property owners, school district levies, and the property tax statement; to repeal sections 21‑10‑12 and 21‑10‑13 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to legacy fund definitions and the legacy earnings fund; to provide a statement of legislative intent; to provide for a legislative management study, to provide an appropriation; to provide an effective date; to provide an expiration date; and to declare an emergency.

Maddy summaryHB 1503 amends North Dakota's criminal code to update penalties for drivers who cause injury while operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. It specifically revises subsection 2 of section 39-08-01.2 in the North Dakota Century Code, adjusting the legal consequences for this offense. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of DUI-related injury incidents by establishing a new penalty structure under the amended code section. This change modifies the sentencing framework for these specific criminal violations without altering the underlying offense definition.

Maddy summarySB 2254 provides $2 million in one-time funding for fixed-route city transportation systems in North Dakota to support their paratransit services (accessible transit options for people with disabilities or mobility challenges) during the 2025-2027 biennium. This grant program directly benefits cities operating public bus routes that offer complementary paratransit services. The bill also requires the legislature to conduct a study during the 2025-26 interim, examining how transit networks can address population growth, economic development, workforce needs, and healthcare access, with the goal of developing a future funding formula for these systems. The study will inform potential future budget allocations for city transportation services.

Maddy summarySB 2169 requires physical therapists in North Dakota to communicate the overall treatment plan to patients and obtain their informed consent, or consent from a legally authorized representative. This law directly affects physical therapy patients and providers across the state by establishing a clear communication and consent standard. The key provision mandates that therapists explain care plans before treatment begins, ensuring patients understand their options. The bill became law after the Governor signed it on April 2, 2025. It focuses on patient autonomy in physical therapy care without altering other treatment protocols.

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.

Maddy summarySB 2260 updates North Dakota's geographic coordinate system definitions in state law. It formally establishes four coordinate systems: the North Dakota coordinate system of 1927 and 1983 (divided into north/south zones), the statewide North Dakota coordinate system of 2022 (one zone), and sixteen low-distortion coordinate zones for the 2022 system (e.g., "Fargo zone," "Bismarck zone"). The bill specifies how these systems must be referenced in land descriptions, such as "North Dakota coordinate system of 1983, north zone" or "Fargo zone of the North Dakota coordinate system of 2022." This procedural update primarily affects land surveyors, government agencies, and property records that rely on standardized geographic coordinates.

Maddy summarySB 2223 creates North Dakota's adoption of the Dietitian Licensure Compact, enabling licensed dietitians from participating states to practice across state lines without obtaining separate licenses in each state. This directly affects licensed dietitians seeking to work in multiple states and healthcare facilities serving patients in those states. The key mechanism establishes a "compact privilege" that functions like a license in other member states, while requiring uniform education and examination standards and allowing states to share disciplinary information. The compact aims to increase patient access to dietetic services, reduce administrative burdens for professionals and states, and maintain each state's authority to regulate practice and protect public health and safety.

Maddy summaryHB 1192 lowers the maximum value for primary prizes awarded by permitted organizations (like charities running raffles or bingo) in North Dakota from $15,000 to $8,000 per event, and reduces the annual total prize limit from $50,000 to $40,000. The bill specifically affects public-spirited organizations seeking gaming permits, requiring them to disclose how they'll use net income from these activities. It exempts raffles conducted under Chapter 20.1-08 from these limits. The law, signed by the governor in March 2025, directly changes financial parameters for nonprofit gaming operations.

Maddy summarySB 2350 would amend North Dakota's open records law to keep public employees' performance and discipline records confidential for three years or until employment ends, whichever comes first. This change directly affects state and local government employees whose personnel files contain these records, making them exempt from public disclosure requests. The bill specifies that such records remain confidential unless part of an internal investigation (exempt for up to 180 days) or needed by law enforcement for hiring. It also clarifies that other personal information in personnel files, like medical details or home addresses, remains exempt under existing law.