HB 1547 creates a special education funding study committee to examine current funding models in North Dakota during the 2025-26 legislative interim. The committee, composed of legislators, school administrators, special education directors, and business managers, will review funding approaches including student contracts, high-cost student support, residential placements, and Medicaid reimbursement. It must submit findings and legislative recommendations to the 70th legislative assembly by the end of the interim period. This bill directly affects North Dakota's public school systems and special education programs by initiating a formal review of how funding is structured.
HB 1526 requires pet food manufacturers and distributors to register products with North Dakota's commissioner before selling in the state. Manufacturers must pay $50 per product for in-state production or $120 per product for out-of-state production, with annual renewal fees of $100 per product. The law exempts small-scale producers who make non-commercial pet food at home, sell directly at farmers' markets, or avoid meat, poultry, fish, or their byproducts. Violations incur a $25 penalty per unregistered product. This applies to all standard and specialty pet food products distributed in North Dakota.
HB 1153 clarifies what counts as "excavation" under North Dakota's one-call notice system, specifically adding detailed exclusions to the definition. It exempts certain activities from requiring the notice, including most agricultural work (like plowing under 18 inches deep), cemetery grave openings, and routine road maintenance (like gravel road repairs not involving ditches). This directly affects construction crews, utility workers, farmers, and landscapers who perform ground-disturbing work but fall under these exemptions. The bill changes compliance requirements by removing the need for one-call notices for these specific, low-risk activities.
HB 1175 revises the membership rules, appointment terms, and operational procedures for North Dakota's Commission on Uniform State Laws. It clarifies that most members (appointed by the governor) serve four-year terms starting after presidential elections, specifies that legislative members are appointed by legislative leadership, and updates reimbursement rules for expenses. The commission, which promotes consistent state laws (like commercial or family law models) across jurisdictions, must still meet annually and advise the legislature on uniform legislation. This procedural bill does not create new policies but refines how the existing commission functions.
HB 1112 amends specific sections of North Dakota's public employees retirement system membership rules in the Century Code. The bill modifies provisions related to eligibility, membership requirements, or administrative procedures for the retirement system, though the exact changes to subsections 54-52-01(8), 54-52-06.4, and 54-52-17(3) and (4) are not detailed in the provided abstract. It directly affects public employees covered by the retirement system in North Dakota. The bill was signed into law by the Governor on March 24, 2025, and filed with the Secretary of State. (Note: The provided context lacks specific details on the policy changes, so this summary reflects the bill's procedural nature and current status.)
HB 1412 modifies North Dakota's deer lottery license process by requiring that unsuccessful applicants be given the option to donate their refundable license fee to the private land open to sportsmen program. This donation would be added to the "game and fish private land habitat and access improvement fund," specifically funding habitat and access projects for the program. The bill directly affects deer lottery applicants who do not win a license, providing them a new choice regarding their refund fee. The change streamlines how these funds are directed toward improving public access to private lands for hunting and fishing activities.
HB 1134 prohibits the intentional online sharing of personally identifying information (like addresses, Social Security numbers, or phone numbers) to intimidate, harass, or frighten someone or their household or immediate family members. It defines "dissemination" as posting such information online or in public forums, and makes violations a class A misdemeanor, with harsher penalties (up to a class A felony) if the act causes bodily injury, serious harm, or death. The law applies to all electronic communications originating in or accessible within North Dakota and directly affects individuals targeted by such online harassment. Penalties increase based on the severity of harm caused, aiming to protect victims from digital intimidation campaigns.
HB 1327 allows North Dakota vehicle owners with active federal amateur radio licenses to replace standard license plates with special plates displaying their FCC-assigned call letters and "AMATEUR RADIO." Applicants can receive up to five plates with the same call letters, each labeled with an additional number (2-5). To qualify, owners must provide proof of their valid amateur radio license, comply with standard vehicle registration requirements, and pay the regular registration fee. This bill directly affects licensed amateur radio operators who register vehicles in North Dakota.
HB 1529 adds Peace Corps volunteers to North Dakota's list of individuals eligible for resident tuition rates at state universities. Specifically, it amends the state code to include "an individual certified by the director of the Peace Corps as having served satisfactorily as a Peace Corps volunteer" under the definition of a "resident student." This change directly affects Peace Corps volunteers who wish to attend North Dakota colleges or universities at in-state tuition rates. The bill does not alter existing eligibility categories for veterans, military members, or other groups.
HB 1105 amends Section 15.1-07-25.4 of the North Dakota Century Code to update school districts' rules for virtual learning programs. The bill clarifies requirements for how districts must operate and manage virtual education options, including student eligibility and instructional standards. It directly affects all public school districts in North Dakota by establishing standardized policies for virtual learning. The legislation, signed into law on March 24, 2025, replaces outdated provisions to modernize virtual education governance.
HB 1598 prohibits most hunters from using motor vehicles off established roads or trails while hunting big game or small game (excluding waterfowl and cranes), directly affecting non-landowner hunters without written permission from landowners or active farmers/ranchers. The law bans driving through cropland, timber, or other terrain to hunt, but allows vehicle use only to retrieve a killed animal after reducing it to possession. It also prohibits using vehicles to harass or flush game and permits parking on roadsides for safety. The bill takes effect after being signed by the governor in March 2025.
Relating to military sacrifice number plates; and to amend and reenact section 39‑04‑10.3 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to personalized plates.
