Sen. Jeff Magrum

Maddy summaryHCR 3013 is a non-binding resolution passed by North Dakota's legislature urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn its 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision, which established same-sex marriage as legal nationwide. The resolution argues that Obergefell conflicts with the U.S. Constitution and traditional marriage definitions, and it requests the Court restore marriage to "a union between one man and one woman." It failed to pass in the legislature on March 13, 2025, and has no legal effect on marriage laws. This resolution expresses legislative opinion only and does not alter any existing marriage statutes or court rulings.

Maddy summarySCR 4026 is a concurrent resolution directing North Dakota's Legislative Management to study whether creating a state-owned association for oil and gas development would be feasible and desirable. The resolution specifically asks for an analysis of establishing such an entity to handle exploration, extraction, transportation, processing, and sales of oil and gas products, aiming to replicate models like the Bank of North Dakota. It would not create the association itself but would require a report with recommendations to the next legislative session. This resolution directly affects state government operations by initiating a study, not by changing laws or impacting citizens or businesses. The bill failed to pass during the 2025 legislative session after committee review.

Relating to possession of firearms or dangerous weapons at a publicly owned or operated building; and to amend and reenact section 62.1‑02‑05 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to possession of firearms or dangerous weapons at a public gathering.

Maddy summaryHB 1350 amends North Dakota's definition of "dangerous weapon" to explicitly include items like switchblades, gravity knives, machetes, certain martial arts weapons (e.g., nunchaku), BB guns, and weapons expelling projectiles via air/gas. It also clarifies that the definition excludes business tools, defensive sprays (CS/CN agents), and non-projectile stun devices. The bill did not pass the legislature, failing with 39 votes in favor and 53 against on February 25, 2025. This change would directly affect individuals possessing these specific items, altering how they are classified under state law.

Maddy summaryHB 1514 would have prohibited "harmful atmospheric activity" in North Dakota, including weather modification techniques like cloud seeding, stratospheric aerosol injection, and unmarked aircraft operations that could harm humans or the environment. It defined specific prohibited actions, set a class C felony penalty with up to $500,000 fines for violations, and created a reporting system for citizens to document suspected incidents with evidence like photos or radiation measurements. The bill also established technical limits for electromagnetic radiation and required sheriffs or the environmental director to investigate reports within 24 hours. This bill failed to pass in the North Dakota legislature on February 24, 2025, with 28 votes in favor and 63 against.

Relating to restrictions on legislative lobbyists; to amend and reenact section 54‑05.1‑07 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to penalties for legislative lobbyists; and to provide a penalty.

Maddy summaryNorth Dakota's SCR 4011 is a state resolution urging Congress to call a constitutional convention to propose term limits for U.S. Congress members. It specifically seeks to limit House members to a set number of terms and Senate members to a set number of terms, aiming to increase accountability to constituents. The resolution is part of a broader state-level effort to gather enough state applications (two-thirds of states) under Article V of the Constitution to trigger such a convention. It does not impose term limits itself but requests Congress initiate the process for amending the Constitution.

Maddy summarySCR 4015 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase North Dakota's public service commission from three to five members. It requires the state legislature to divide North Dakota into five districts for elections, with each district electing one commissioner. The amendment mandates the legislature to establish these districts by January 2027, based on the 2020 census, and sets the first election for the additional members for 2028. If approved by voters in 2026, the changes would take effect with commissioners assuming office in 2029. This bill directly affects how public service commissioners are elected and represents a structural change to the state's regulatory body.

Maddy summaryHB 1245 amends North Dakota's election offense laws to clarify and strengthen penalties for various voting and petition-related violations. It specifically prohibits paying individuals based on the number of signatures collected for election petitions (like initiatives or referendums), while allowing standard salaries not tied to signature counts. The bill also defines new offenses, such as signing petitions with false names, submitting petitions with fraudulent signatures, and obstructing voters at polling places. Violations can result in fines, misdemeanor charges, or felony convictions, with organizations facing business license revocation. This directly affects voters, election officials, petition circulators, and political organizations involved in ballot measure campaigns.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require oil and gas operators in North Dakota to restore land disturbed by their activities (like well sites, pipelines, and facilities) as close as possible to its original condition before disturbance. Key provisions include mandating the preservation and documented use of suitable plant growth material from the site for reclamation, requiring a pre-disturbance meeting with the state commission to plan this, and needing commission approval before land disturbance begins. The commission could also waive reclamation requirements after decommissioning with proper documentation. The bill does not apply to properly reclaimed pits or abandoned pipelines.