Housing

Relating to an extraordinary medical needs housing loan fund; to amend and reenact sections 50‑06‑06.6, 50‑06‑42, 50‑24.5‑02.3, and 50‑33‑05, and subsection 1 of 50‑36‑03 of the North Dakota Century Code and subsection 6 of the new section to chapter 54‑07 of the North Dakota Century Code created in section 1 of Senate Bill No. 2176, as approved by the sixty‑ninth legislative assembly, relating to leases of department of health and human services property, substance use disorder treatment program, basic care payment rates, state of residence for child care assistance, opioid settlement advisory committee, and children's cabinet; to provide for a transfer; to authorize a line of credit; to provide legislative intent; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide an application; to provide an exemption; to provide for a report; and to provide an effective date.

SB 2225 appropriates $50 million from North Dakota's Strategic Investment Fund to the Department of Commerce for grants supporting housing infrastructure. The bill provides funding to local communities (with allocations based on population size) to lower costs for infrastructure needed for market-rate housing projects, requiring a 1:1 match from local governments, developers, and private funds. Communities must use the funds for infrastructure like roads or utilities to support new housing, with reporting requirements to the legislature by June 2026. The program expires June 30, 2027, and aims to address housing needs in both urban and rural areas.

HB 1610 prohibits landlords in North Dakota from including specific unfair terms in rental lease agreements, directly affecting both landlords and renters. The bill adds clear definitions to state law banning provisions like banning pets without reason, requiring excessive fees, or restricting tenant access to security deposits. Key mechanisms include listing exact prohibited clauses that landlords cannot enforce in contracts for leasing real property. This creates standardized, transparent rental terms without using legal jargon.

SB 2096 provides $5 million for renovating state hospital buildings to serve individuals with mental illness under correctional custody, involuntary commitment, or court-ordered forensic exams. It also appropriates $100 million to establish four regional acute psychiatric treatment and residential supportive housing services across North Dakota. The funds will allow the Department of Health and Human Services to build up to 24-bed facilities in each region or contract with private providers for these services. The bill directly affects individuals requiring acute psychiatric care and supportive housing, with funding allocated for the 2025-2027 biennium.

HB 1152 amends North Dakota's definition of "residential property" for tax purposes. It clarifies that residential property includes dwellings and associated non-commercial structures like garages or barns, but explicitly excludes hotels/motels, multi-family buildings (4+ units), and tracts with 4+ mobile homes. This change directly affects property tax assessors, homeowners, and developers by altering which properties qualify for residential tax treatment. The bill would take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024, though it failed to pass in the legislature.

Relating to a housing development loan fund; to provide an appropriation; to provide a continuing appropriation; to provide for a transfer; to provide an expiration date; and to declare an emergency.