Relating to purchases by state officials and employees and multiple award vendor pool contracts; and to amend and reenact subsection 6 of section 44‑04‑18.4, sections 54‑44.4‑01, 54‑44.4‑02, 54‑44.4‑05, subsection 1 of section 54‑44.4‑07, subsection 1 of section 54‑44.4‑09, sections 54‑44.4‑09.1, 54‑44.4‑12, 54‑44.4‑13, and 54‑44.4‑14 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to state purchasing practices.
HB 1154 extends a moratorium on adding new basic care and nursing facility bed capacity in North Dakota from August 1, 2023, through July 31, 2029. It prohibits new licenses for basic care beds unless facilities convert existing beds, demonstrate high demand (90% occupancy within 50 miles for 12 months), or receive department approval. The bill also restricts nursing facilities from changing bed configurations more than twice annually, except for specific conversions or relicensing after July 31, 2011. This law directly affects nursing homes and care facilities seeking to expand or reconfigure bed capacity across the state.
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.
HCR 3008 designates Chuck Suchy as North Dakota's first state troubadour for a five-year term, recognizing his decades of work as a folk musician preserving the state's musical heritage. The resolution honors his contributions to celebrating North Dakota's agricultural roots, Native American heritage, and natural beauty through song. This is a ceremonial honor with no legal effect - it does not create new laws, alter regulations, or impact any individuals or groups beyond the symbolic recognition of Suchy's cultural work. The title follows North Dakota's tradition of honoring arts contributors, and the resolution expresses legislative appreciation for his role in advancing the state's cultural identity.
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.
This bill (SB 2317) allows townships in North Dakota that previously transferred their zoning authority to counties to regain that authority under specific conditions. It directly affects townships that had unilaterally given up zoning control to county governments. To reacquire zoning authority, a township must pass a resolution supporting the return, hold a majority vote by qualified electors in an election, adopt a new zoning ordinance, and appoint a zoning administrator. If these steps are completed, the county must accept the township's reacquisition of zoning authority. The bill proposed a formal process for townships to reclaim zoning control they had previously delegated to county governments.
