SB 2238 North Dakota Senate · 69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26)

AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 47-32 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to sealing of eviction records.

SB 2238 allows tenants evicted under North Dakota law to request the sealing of their court records after meeting specific conditions. Generally, individuals can petition to seal records seven years after satisfying the eviction order. Survivors of domestic violence who were evicted during their tenancy may immediately petition to seal records upon a conviction for domestic violence or issuance of a restraining order against their abuser. This bill directly affects evicted tenants, particularly those who experienced domestic violence, by removing their eviction records from public access.

Issues: ✓ Housing

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Signed into Law

Mar 2025

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Signed Mar 26, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

FIRST ENGROSSMENT → Enrollment · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill transitions from a draft legislative text to its final enrolled version, adding official certification, voting records, and signature lines for the Senate, House, and Governor. The substantive policy content regarding sealing eviction records remains unchanged.

Scope change

The bill's scope and applicability remain unchanged; only the document format and official certification elements were added.

TECHNICAL

Added official certification language confirming the bill originated in the Senate and is known as Senate Bill No. 2238.

Added Senate and House vote tallies showing final approval by both chambers.

Added signature lines for the President of the Senate, Speaker of the House, Secretary of the Senate, Chief Clerk of the House, and Governor.

Added filing information for the Secretary of State to complete the enrollment process.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 10, 2025 · House Mar 19, 2025

How they voted

35–12

Passed

Total votes 47

Feb 10, 2025

D Democratic5

5 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican42

30 Yea 12 Nay

71% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 27, 2025

Introduced

Filed with Secretary Of State 03/26

legislature

Mar 26, 2025

Signed into law

Signed by Governor 03/25

upper

Mar 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

Second reading, passed, yeas 88 nays 5

lower

Mar 18, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported back, do pass, place on calendar 10 3 1

lower

Mar 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee Hearing 11:00

lower

Feb 18, 2025

Introduced

Introduced, first reading, referred Judiciary Committee

lower

Feb 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

Second reading, passed, yeas 35 nays 12

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Amendment adopted, placed on calendar

upper

Feb 6, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 5 2 0

upper

Feb 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee Hearing 09:00

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Introduced, first reading, referred Judiciary Committee

upper

1 primary · 4 co-sponsors