Budget & Taxes

HB 1236 amends North Dakota law to specify that hunting and fishing license fees and application fees can only fund state wildlife and fish department programs unrelated to chronic wasting disease (CWD). The bill restricts the use of these fees, ensuring they cannot support CWD management or research. It directly affects the North Dakota Game and Fish Department by altering how it allocates revenue from hunting and fishing permits. The change clarifies that existing fee revenue must be used for general department administration, not specific disease-related initiatives. The bill failed to pass in the legislature during the 2025 session.

HB 1502 would limit North Dakota's state general fund budget growth to a maximum of 3% per two-year budget cycle, unless a two-thirds vote of both legislative chambers approves a higher increase. The bill allows unused portions of the 3% allowance to be carried forward for up to three budget cycles to exceed the limit later. It directly affects the state budget process by imposing a spending cap on the legislature's annual budget decisions. This procedural bill, if enacted, would establish a new rule in the state code governing how much the state can spend from its general fund each biennium.

HB 1523 appropriates $500,000 from the state's strategic investment fund to provide grants for ski resort infrastructure repairs in North Dakota. The bill directly affects ski resorts needing to fix damage from snow/rain, deferred maintenance, or replace equipment, but requires them to secure dollar-for-dollar matching funds from nonstate sources. Grants can cover building repairs, infrastructure improvements, and equipment purchases during the 2025-2027 biennium. This is a one-time funding measure with no additional requirements beyond the matching funds condition.

HB 1552 would limit home rule counties and cities in North Dakota to a maximum 3% sales, use, or gross receipts tax rate after June 30, 2025. It prohibits new taxes or rate increases above 3% for existing local taxes after that date, though taxes approved before July 1, 2025, at higher rates could continue until their approved expiration period ended. The bill affects all counties and cities with home rule authority that levy these local taxes. It takes effect for taxable events occurring after June 30, 2025.

HCR 3002 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow North Dakota to authorize and regulate sports betting within the state. If approved by voters, it would amend the state constitution to permit the legislature to license and regulate sports betting on professional and college sports. All tax revenue generated from sports betting would be required to fund K-12 public schools. This change would directly affect all North Dakotans by altering the state's legal framework for gambling and directing new revenue toward public education.