AN ACT to amend and reenact subsection 1 of section 15-10-18.2, subsection 2 of section 37-19.1-03, subdivision j of subsection 2 of section 39-04-18, subsection 1 of section 57-02-08.8, and subsection 1 of section 57-40.3-04 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to eligibility for certain veteran earned benefits; and to provide an effective date.

HB 1180 amends North Dakota law to clarify eligibility for veteran benefits, directly affecting veterans with service-connected disabilities, their dependents, and surviving spouses. It updates definitions to include veterans with a 100% service-connected disability (including those with extra-schedular ratings for total disability), expanding who qualifies as a "dependent" for benefits like education assistance and employment preferences. Key provisions include allowing spouses of disabled veterans to claim employment preference if the veteran cannot, and extending free distinctive vehicle license plates (for up to two vehicles) to disabled veterans and surviving spouses receiving VA dependency compensation. The bill also clarifies residency requirements for dependents and streamlines proof of VA compensation eligibility.