North Dakota Bills

failed · North Dakota · House Feb 17, 2025

HB 1370: A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact subsection 3 of section 39-20-05 and section 39-20-14 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to onsite screening tests and administrative hearings for refusing to submit to a chemical test.

HB 1370 clarifies the scope of administrative hearings for drivers who refuse roadside breath or oral fluid screening tests. It specifies that hearings can only review whether law enforcement had reasonable grounds to suspect impairment, whether the driver was arrested, and whether they refused the test. This affects drivers facing license revocation for refusing screening tests and ensures hearings focus strictly on these procedural issues. The bill updates existing North Dakota law (sections 39-20-05 and 39-20-14) without changing penalties for refusal.

failed · North Dakota · Senate Feb 17, 2025

SB 2361: A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact sections 11-11-70, 40-05-26, and 47-01-09 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to ownership of land and development projects by a foreign adversary; and to provide for a legislative management report.

SB 2361 prohibits foreign adversaries (as defined by federal regulations) from purchasing or owning real property in North Dakota after July 31, 2023, directly affecting foreign governments and businesses meeting the "foreign adversary" criteria. The bill bans county and city governments from approving development agreements with such entities and requires foreign adversaries violating the law to divest all property within 36 months, with civil penalties up to $25,000 for non-compliance. Exceptions apply to entities registered for seven+ years, approved by the Committee on Foreign Investment (CFIUS), and holding active national security agreements with the federal government. The law includes enforcement mechanisms allowing state attorneys to initiate court actions for divestment and public sales of non-compliant property. This bill was introduced in 2025 but failed to pass in February 2025.

failed · North Dakota · House Feb 17, 2025

HB 1333: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 15.1-19 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the duration of a student's school lunch break.

HB 1333 proposes requiring North Dakota public school districts to provide students with at least 30 minutes for lunch daily between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. It also allows high school students to be excused from the class immediately following lunch if they obtain a counselor’s written verification and provide it to their teacher once per semester. The bill directly affects all North Dakota public school districts and their students, particularly high schoolers seeking flexibility in their schedules. If enacted, it would establish a concrete, mandatory lunch break duration standard across the state’s public schools. (Note: The bill failed to pass in February 2025.)

Topics ✓ Education

passed · North Dakota · Senate Feb 14, 2025

SB 2376: A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact subsection 5 of section 54-58-03 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a tribal-state gaming compact that permits gaming in Grand Forks County.

SB 2376 amends North Dakota law to specifically authorize gaming operations on three defined parcels of land in Grand Forks County under the existing tribal-state compact with the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. The bill lists precise land descriptions (south five and one-half acres, west ninety-six acres, and north fifty-eight and one-half acres of specific sections) where gaming may occur, provided the Secretary of the Interior approves under federal law. This is a technical amendment to clarify permitted locations within the existing compact, not a new policy. The bill failed to pass in the legislature on February 14, 2025, with 15 votes in favor and 29 against.

failed · North Dakota · House Feb 14, 2025

HB 1414: A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact sections 32-15-02, 49-19-01, 49-19-11, and 49-19-19 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the revocation of common carrier status of carbon dioxide pipelines; and to repeal section 38-22-10 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the exercise of public domain in geological storage of carbon dioxide.

Relating to the revocation of common carrier status of carbon dioxide pipelines; and to repeal section 38‑22‑10 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the exercise of public domain in geological storage of carbon dioxide.

Topics ✗ Environment

failed · North Dakota · House Feb 14, 2025

HB 1210: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new chapter to title 35 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to carbon dioxide pipeline damages.

HB 1210 creates a new legal process for property owners within 25 miles of a carbon dioxide pipeline leak to seek compensation. It grants affected residents or landowners a "lien" against the pipeline owner for damages caused by leaks, including both current and future costs. To enforce this, victims must file a verified claim within one year, and the lien attaches only to the pipeline itself. The bill also requires pipeline owners in bankruptcy to hold trust funds for future victims. The bill was introduced in 2025 but failed to pass in February 2025.

passed · North Dakota · Senate Feb 14, 2025

SB 2303: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new chapter to title 15.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to an education savings account program.

SB 2303 would create an education savings account program in North Dakota, using state funds to help eligible families pay for approved educational expenses. Eligible students include K-12 residents who qualify for public school, with funds deposited by the Bank of North Dakota (80% of per-pupil funding). Parents would receive these funds for approved expenses like tuition at participating private schools, approved tutoring, textbooks, college costs, or educational technology, but must agree not to enroll children in public schools. The program requires participating schools to meet safety and nondiscrimination standards, and unused funds carry forward annually.

Topics ✓ Education

passed · North Dakota · House Feb 14, 2025

HB 1456: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 15.1-07 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to school chaplains in public school districts.

HB 1456 would establish a framework for certified chaplains in North Dakota public schools, allowing school districts to hire or volunteer certified chaplains (defined as those certified by national/state organizations or endorsed by religious groups) to provide support to students, staff, or parents. The bill requires background checks for all chaplains, prohibits individuals required to register as sex offenders from serving, and protects chaplains from liability unless actions were maliciously intended to harm. It allocates $500,000 from the state general fund for 2025-2027 to cover chaplain salaries, training, oversight, and program evaluation, with districts limited to $200,000 per school. The bill directly affects public school districts, chaplains, and students/staff seeking spiritual support, while exempting chaplains from standard education licensing requirements.

Topics ✓ Education

failed · North Dakota · House Feb 14, 2025

HB 1292: A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact sections 49-19-01, 49-19-11, and 49-19-19 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to eliminating a carbon dioxide pipelines' owners', operators', or managers' status as a common pipeline carrier.

HB 1292 would remove carbon dioxide pipelines from being classified as "common pipeline carriers" under North Dakota law. This change directly affects owners and operators of CO2 pipelines by exempting them from requirements to transport any customer's CO2 without discrimination at set rates. The bill amends sections 49-19-01, 49-19-11, and 49-19-19 of the North Dakota Century Code to exclude CO2 pipelines from the definition and rules governing common carriers. This policy shift modifies how CO2 pipeline operations are regulated, separating them from traditional oil/gas pipeline common carrier obligations.

Topics ✗ Energy

failed · North Dakota · Senate Feb 14, 2025

SB 2212: A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact sections 15-54.1-01, 15-54.1-02, 15-54.1-03, and 15-54.1-04 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the university system capital building fund; to repeal section 15-54.1-05 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the university system capital building fund pool; to provide for a transfer; and to provide legislative intent.

Relating to the university system capital building fund; to repeal section 15‑54.1‑05 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the university system capital building fund pool; to provide for a transfer; and to provide legislative intent.

failed · North Dakota · House Feb 14, 2025

HB 1573: A BILL for an Act to create and enact chapter 57-66 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the imposition of a pore space utilization tax and creation of a North Dakota disaster fund; and to provide an effective date.

HB 1573 would impose a $5 per ton tax on substances transported via pipelines longer than 25 miles (after July 31, 2025) for permanent underground storage in North Dakota. This tax applies to pipeline operators transporting materials for underground storage, requiring monthly reporting and payments to the state tax commissioner. Revenue collected would first fund the North Dakota Disaster Fund (up to $500 million), which can only cover pipeline-related emergency costs, specialized equipment, or training for pipeline hazards. Any excess revenue would go to the state general fund. The bill, which failed to pass in committee (23-61), aims to create a dedicated funding source for pipeline incident response.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

failed · North Dakota · House Feb 14, 2025

HB 1574: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 38-22 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a prohibition on direct air carbon dioxide capture projects; to amend and reenact section 38-08-21 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the authority of the industrial commission; to provide for application; and to provide an expiration date.

Relating to a prohibition on direct air carbon dioxide capture projects; to amend and reenact section 38‑08‑21 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the authority of the industrial commission; to provide for application; and to provide an expiration date.

Topics ✗ Environment

Bill results