North Dakota Bills

passed · North Dakota · Senate Feb 25, 2025

SB 2363: A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact subsection 3 of section 15.1-27-02, sections 15.1-27-04.1, 15.1-27-04.2, and 57-15-01.1, paragraph 3 of subdivision e of subsection 1 of section 57-15-14, section 57-15-14.2, and subdivision c of subsection 1 of section 57-20-07.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the determination of state aid payments, state aid minimum local effort, the protection of taxpayers and taxing districts, voter approval of excess levies in school districts, school district levies, and contents of the property tax statement; and to provide an effective date.

Relating to the determination of state aid payments, state aid minimum local effort, the protection of taxpayers and taxing districts, voter approval of excess levies in school districts, school district levies, and contents of the property tax statement; and to provide an effective date.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

passed · North Dakota · House Feb 25, 2025

HB 1424: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 16.1-03 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the issuance of a certificate of endorsement by a district party; and to amend and reenact sections 16.1-11-06 and 16.1-11-10 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to certificates of endorsement and the secretary of state's duty to place a candidate's name on a primary election ballot.

Relating to the issuance of a certificate of endorsement by a district party; and to amend and reenact sections 16.1‑11‑06 and 16.1‑11‑10 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to certificates of endorsement and the secretary of state's duty to place a candidate's name on a primary election ballot.

failed · North Dakota · Senate Feb 25, 2025

SCR 4016: A concurrent resolution directing the Legislative Management to consider studying primary election procedures applying to partisan races and whether the use of a separate ballot based on political party would enrich the primary election held in the state.

SCR 4016 is a resolution directing North Dakota's Legislative Management to study whether using separate ballots for partisan primary elections (organized by political party) would improve the primary election process. It does not change current election rules but asks for an analysis of this specific ballot structure, which is not currently used in North Dakota. The study would also examine how political parties access voter data from primary elections, as referenced in the resolution's context. This resolution, which failed to pass in February 2025, only directs a study and does not implement any new policy. It affects Legislative Management staff, who would conduct the study and report findings to the next legislative session.

passed · North Dakota · House Feb 25, 2025

HB 1352: A BILL for an Act 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 church or place of worship.

HB 1352 would amend North Dakota law to allow churches and places of worship to permit individuals with valid concealed firearm permits to carry weapons inside their buildings. The bill creates liability protection for churches if they permit such carry, stating they cannot be held responsible for injuries caused by authorized individuals. It specifies that churches may allow concealed carry only for people already authorized under existing concealed carry laws (like reciprocity agreements) or with the church's approval. This policy change directly affects religious institutions and individuals seeking to carry firearms in places of worship, while maintaining prohibitions on firearms for most others in these settings.

passed · North Dakota · House Feb 25, 2025

HB 1365: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 62.1-02 of the North Dakota Century Code, 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.

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.

failed · North Dakota · House Feb 25, 2025

HB 1163: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 15.1-36 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a legacy fund school construction assistance loan fund; to amend and reenact section 21-10-11, relating to the legacy and budget stabilization fund advisory board; and to provide a continuing appropriation.

Relating to a legacy fund school construction assistance loan fund; to amend and reenact section 21‑10‑11, relating to the legacy and budget stabilization fund advisory board; and to provide a continuing appropriation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

passed · North Dakota · House Feb 25, 2025

HB 1604: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new chapter to title 15.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the funding of kindergarten through grade twelve school construction; to provide an appropriation; and to provide an expiration date.

HB 1604 creates a new state program to fund K-12 school construction in North Dakota, directly affecting school districts seeking state assistance for new buildings. To qualify, districts must meet specific criteria, including demonstrating renovation costs exceed 60% of new construction costs, having a failed referendum for construction/renovation within a set timeframe, and securing their share of funding. The bill establishes tiered state funding rates (from 5% to 95% of costs) based on a district’s property tax valuation ("mill value"), with a $600 million appropriation allocated for the 2025-2027 biennium. It also requires districts to use state-appointed architectural firms meeting strict in-state criteria and mandates plans for long-term building maintenance. The program expires on July 1, 2035.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

passed · North Dakota · House Feb 25, 2025

HB 1494: A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 15.1-27-03.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the determination of weighted average daily membership; to provide an effective date; and to declare an emergency.

HB 1494 amends North Dakota law to change how school districts calculate their "weighted average daily membership" for state funding. It assigns different multipliers to various student groups, such as 1.00 for extended programs, 0.60 for summer programs, and specific weights for English language learners based on proficiency levels. This directly affects all public school districts in North Dakota by altering the formula used to determine their state education funding. The bill also includes provisions for small rural districts with low enrollment and special education support. The changes would take effect July 1, 2025, if enacted.

failed · North Dakota · House Feb 25, 2025

HB 1350: A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact subsection 1 of section 62.1-01-01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to dangerous weapons.

HB 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.

passed · North Dakota · House Feb 25, 2025

HB 1129: A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation to the department of public instruction to address student attendance and absenteeism.

HB 1129 appropriates $1.25 million for a study on student attendance and absenteeism in North Dakota public schools (K-12) during the 2025-2027 biennium. The bill requires the superintendent of public instruction, with input from a research team, to analyze existing data, identify strategies used in high-attendance districts, and develop recommendations to address chronic absenteeism. It mandates a legislative report with findings and proposed legislation by September 1, 2026. The bill failed to pass on February 25, 2025, with 2 votes in favor and 88 against.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

failed · North Dakota · House Feb 25, 2025

HB 1296: A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 62.1-04-04 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to producing a license to carry a concealed firearm upon request from a law enforcement officer; and to provide a penalty.

HB 1296 would require individuals carrying concealed firearms (with a valid license) to show their physical license, a digital image of the license, or a valid driver's license/nondriver ID card to law enforcement upon request during any contact, including traffic stops. Violating this requirement would result in a $20 noncriminal fee, not criminal penalties. The bill directly affects concealed carry license holders in North Dakota by mandating immediate presentation of identification during officer interactions. It amends North Dakota Century Code section 62.1-04-04 to clarify these presentation obligations and penalties.

passed · North Dakota · House Feb 25, 2025

HB 1609: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 27-11 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to admission to the bar examination through an apprenticeship program developed, established, and implemented by the supreme court.

HB 1609 would create an alternative path to take the North Dakota bar exam, allowing applicants without a law degree to qualify by completing 2,000 hours of supervised legal work under a licensed attorney or tribal advocate over five years, plus holding a four-year college degree. The program requires supervising attorneys to verify hours through written affidavits, and applicants could also qualify by serving as a state legislator for four or more years. This would directly affect aspiring lawyers seeking bar admission without traditional law school credentials. The bill, which failed to pass in February 2025, aims to expand access to legal licensure through practical experience.

Bill results