SB 2197 would have allowed crossbow use during deer hunting seasons under specific license conditions in North Dakota. It would permit hunters with a deer gun license to use crossbows during deer gun season, and hunters over 75 with a deer bow license to use crossbows during deer bow season. The bill aimed to expand hunting options by aligning crossbow use with existing license types. The bill failed to pass in the legislature on January 27, 2025, with 15 votes in favor and 32 against.
SB 2168 amends North Dakota law to clarify that hunting within 402 meters (440 yards) of any occupied building, occupied structure, or storage structure without the property owner's consent is unlawful. The bill directly affects hunters who may operate near residential or commercial properties, requiring them to obtain permission before hunting in this buffer zone. Key provisions specify the 402-meter distance limit and mandate written consent from the property owner for hunting activity within that range. This update refines existing regulations to explicitly include storage structures in the restricted area.
HB 1380 requires North Dakota county commissioners to publish full meeting records in the county's official newspaper or on the county's official website within seven days after each meeting. This applies directly to all county boards of commissioners and their designated newspaper publishers. The bill updates Section 11-11-37 of the North Dakota Century Code to mandate this timeline and specifies that newspaper publishers must file an affidavit of publication with the county auditor. (Note: The bill failed to pass on January 27, 2025, but this summary describes its intended provisions only.)
HB 1384 would require counties with full-time county auditors to elect that position rather than appoint it, preventing counties from using home rule charters to make the role appointive. This bill directly affects all North Dakota counties that currently employ a full-time county auditor, ensuring the position remains elected under state law. The key provision amends North Dakota Century Code Section 11-10-02 to mandate that full-time county auditors must be elected, overriding any local home rule efforts to circumvent this requirement. The bill does not change existing election schedules or other county officer requirements. (Note: The bill failed to pass in the 2025 legislative session.)
HB 1136 would amend a North Dakota law to change penalties for oilseed buyers who fail to submit required assessments to the oilseed council. It specifies that first purchasers (oilseed buyers) who miss deadlines would face a penalty of either $500 or 10% of the unpaid amount, whichever is larger, plus 6% annual interest. The bill directly affects commercial oilseed buyers required to pay assessments to the North Dakota Oilseed Council. This change replaces the previous penalty structure with a clearer, formula-based approach.
HB 1461 would have created a state-funded tribal health care coordination fund to support tribal governments in North Dakota. The bill required the state to distribute funds to tribes based on their federal care coordination funding, with strict rules: funds must cover specific public health services (capping capital construction at 50% until 2025, then 35%), and tribes would need to submit annual reports and biennial audits by independent auditors. The state would withhold funds for late reports or misuse, and could resume payments once compliance was verified. This bill was introduced in January 2025 but withdrawn before further consideration.
HB 1202 would allocate $3 million from North Dakota's flexible transportation fund to a specific county impacted by a state supreme court case involving a drainage project. The grant, intended for a single two-year period (2025-2027), covers project costs including litigation expenses, inflation adjustments, and other drainage-related expenditures. It overrides standard fund designation rules under section 24-02-37.3, directing the Department of Transportation to distribute the funds as a one-time grant. The bill failed to pass in committee and on the floor during the 2025 legislative session.
HB 1243 would require insurers to let vehicle owners choose whether to keep their car after it’s deemed a total loss (where repair costs exceed value) or let the insurer take it. The bill also prohibits insurers from charging owners extra fees to return the vehicle following a total loss determination. This directly affects North Dakota drivers with insurance policies covering physical damage who experience a total-loss accident. The bill aims to simplify ownership options and eliminate unexpected costs for policyholders in these situations.
SB 2178 amends North Dakota's election laws to update how voter data is stored and accessed. It specifies that the central voter file must include personal details like name, address, voting history, and driver's license numbers, while restricting access to certain data fields for political candidates and parties. The bill clarifies that only designated voter information (such as address and election preferences) can be used for election-related purposes, and "secured active" voter records remain private. It also standardizes absentee ballot application requirements for primary elections. The bill focuses on administrative clarity for voter file management.
SB 2311 proposes to establish a bioscience innovation grant program in North Dakota, providing funding to small bioscience businesses (with less than $2.5 million in annual sales and at least two employees) for innovation and commercialization. The program would require grant recipients to match up to 50% of funding and prohibit use for capital improvements, academic programming, or workforce training. It aims to support job creation for state university graduates, foster new bioscience startups, and advance technologies in areas like crop genetics, biofuels, and livestock operations. The program would be administered through a collaborative committee involving state agencies, universities, and a bioscience association.
HB 1413 would create a state program to safely connect food donors (like businesses) with charities, making it easier to donate surplus food. Donors must be licensed under existing food safety rules, while charities wouldn’t need commercial kitchens or special certification but must follow local health unit food handling standards. Local health units would inspect donors, verify food handlers, and set safety rules, with donors protected from liability if following guidelines. The program would include educational resources and potential grants to support participation, aiming to reduce food waste while ensuring safety.
SCR 4004 is a joint resolution designating April 21-28, 2025, as "North Dakota Dark Sky Week." It urges building owners, operators, and tenants to voluntarily reduce unnecessary lighting during migration seasons to help protect birds and reduce light pollution. The resolution specifically encourages participation in observing and supporting dark sky resources, without creating new legal requirements or penalties.
