Sen. Michelle Axtman

Maddy summarySB 2239 establishes a state-funded apprenticeship grant program in North Dakota. The program would provide financial assistance to both apprentices and employers participating in approved apprenticeship training. This bill creates a new funding mechanism within the state code and includes a specific appropriation to support the program's implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 1473 would create a new legal restriction in North Dakota for drug manufacturers by adding a subsection to section 43-15.3-08 of the state's Century Code. The bill prohibits specific actions by drug manufacturers that are not currently covered under existing law and establishes penalties for violations. It directly affects pharmaceutical companies operating in North Dakota by imposing new compliance requirements. The exact prohibited acts and penalty structure are defined within the new subsection of the state code.

Maddy summarySB 2341 would adopt the Interstate Compact for School Psychologists into North Dakota law, creating a new chapter in the state code. This compact allows school psychologists licensed in one participating state to practice in North Dakota without undergoing full re-licensure. The bill directly affects school psychologists moving between compact states and North Dakota's education licensing system. By joining the compact, North Dakota would align its licensure procedures with other participating states to streamline cross-state practice for school psychologists.

Maddy summaryHB 1401 amends North Dakota law (Section 40-11-04.2) to give cities more flexibility when selling city-owned property. It allows cities to use either exclusive or nonexclusive listing agreements with licensed real estate brokers, provided they first adopt a resolution specifying the property, setting a maximum commission rate, and reserving the right to reject insufficient offers. Cities must select brokers through a competitive process for exclusive listings. This change directly affects North Dakota cities selling property, streamlining the sales process while maintaining city control over fees and offers.

Maddy summarySB 2196 amends North Dakota law to allow students with asthma or anaphylaxis to self-administer their prescribed medication (like inhalers or epinephrine auto-injectors) at school without requiring a nurse or staff member to be present. This directly affects students diagnosed with these conditions and their school staff, who must follow updated protocols. The key provision clarifies that schools must permit students to carry and use their own medication during school hours and school activities, provided it is prescribed and stored properly. The change updates existing school health policies to align with current medical guidelines for student safety.

Maddy summaryHB 1599 creates a formal state leave sharing program for permanent North Dakota state employees. It allows employees to donate accrued annual or sick leave to colleagues facing pregnancy or severe, extreme, or life-threatening medical conditions (for themselves or immediate family), requiring medical certification. The program limits donated leave to four months per year, excludes temporary or contracted staff, and mandates the Office of Management and Budget to track usage and adopt implementing rules. This policy directly affects permanent state employees needing extended leave due to qualifying health circumstances.

Maddy summaryHB 1394 amends North Dakota's licensing rules for emergency medical services (EMS) operations. It requires EMS operators to hold separate licenses for each location or operation, with exceptions allowing a single license for established substations that meet specific criteria (like sharing dispatch and bordering service areas). Operators must pay a separate license fee for each substation location. This directly affects all EMS providers in North Dakota, particularly those operating multiple sites or substations, by clarifying licensing requirements and fees. The bill does not change rules for out-of-state operators transporting patients across state lines.

Maddy summaryHB 1138 amends North Dakota's bonding election procedures by extending the required waiting period before a municipal bond election can be held. It changes the timeframe from a minimum of 26 days to 64 days after the governing body passes a bond resolution or a petition is filed by residents. This directly affects North Dakota municipalities planning to seek voter approval for infrastructure projects like roads or public facilities. The bill does not alter bond purposes or funding levels, only the timing of the election process.

Maddy summarySB 2357 proposes a legislative study to examine whether merging five separate mental health licensing boards (for psychologists, social workers, addiction counselors, counselors, and marriage/family therapists) into a single "composite board" would be feasible, beneficial, and address challenges. The bill would amend North Dakota law to create a new structure for this unified board while repealing existing statutes governing the five individual boards. This study would directly affect mental health professionals seeking or renewing licenses in these fields, as well as the state agencies managing their licensing. The bill does not create the board itself but authorizes an assessment to determine if consolidation is warranted.

Maddy summaryHB 1238 amends North Dakota's teaching license rules to require teachers with lifetime licenses to report certain information to the Education Standards Board every five years. Specifically, it mandates that these teachers submit a report disclosing any criminal violations since their last report or any issues that could lead to license revocation. The report must be provided in a board-prescribed format but cannot cost the teacher anything. This change directly affects North Dakota teachers who have held a teaching license for 30 years and received lifetime licensure.