Technology

signed · North Dakota · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2404: AN ACT to provide appropriations to the information technology department and public service commission; to provide contingent loan authorization; and to provide an effective date.

SB 2404 provides $1.5 million to North Dakota's Information Technology Department to update state websites and digital content for compliance with federal accessibility requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act. It also allocates $325,000 to the Public Service Commission for legal costs related to a federal lawsuit, with a contingent loan option available if funds are insufficient. Both appropriations are one-time allocations valid through June 30, 2027. The bill directly affects state agencies managing digital services and legal proceedings, with no broader public policy changes beyond funding specific agency needs.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds IT department website updates for ADA compliance, advancing digital accessibility standards in state digital infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Digital Government

signed · North Dakota · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 1127: AN ACT to create and enact chapter 13-01.2 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the financial institution data security program; and to amend and reenact sections 6-01-04.1 and 6-01-04.2, subsection 7 of section 6-03-02, sections 13-04.1-01.1, 13-04.1-11.1, 13-05-07.1, 13-08-10, 13-08-11.1, and 13-09.1-14, subsection 3 of section 13-09.1-17, sections 13-09.1-38 and 13-10-05, subsection 1 of section 13-11-10, section 13-12-19, subsections 6, 21, and 22 of section 13-13-01, and sections 13-13-04 and 13-13-18 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the department of financial institutions, financial institutions, response to department requests, renewal of licenses, orders to cease and desist, issuance of licenses, revocation of licenses, and exemptions from licenses.

Relating to the financial institution data security program; and to amend and reenact sections 6‑01‑04.1 and 6‑01‑04.2, subsection 7 of section 6‑03‑02, sections 13‑04.1‑01.1, 13‑04.1‑11.1, 13‑05‑07.1, 13‑08‑10, 13‑08‑11.1, and 13‑09.1‑14, subsection 3 of section 13‑09.1‑17, sections 13‑09.1‑38 and 13‑10‑05, subsection 1 of section 13‑11‑10, section 13‑12‑19, subsections 6, 21, and 22 of section 13‑13‑01, and sections 13‑13‑04 and 13‑13‑18 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the department of financial institutions, financial institutions, response to department requests, renewal of licenses, orders to cease and desist, issuance of licenses, revocation of licenses, and exemptions from licenses.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes a financial institution data security program, directly enhancing cybersecurity requirements for financial entities per its title and summary.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection

signed · North Dakota · Senate Mar 20, 2025

SB 2332: AN ACT to provide for a legislative management study, relating to grant funding for emergency services and public safety.

SB 2332 creates a new $25 million annual fund from state legacy earnings to support emergency services and public safety across North Dakota. The bill establishes an advisory board with representatives from fire, police, EMS, local governments, and tribal entities to award grants for specific priorities like recruiting personnel, modernizing response systems, expanding mental health crisis teams, and improving communications technology. These grants will directly assist local emergency services providers, rural fire districts, tribal governments, and communities seeking to enhance public safety coverage. The fund is funded through a dedicated annual transfer from the legacy earnings fund, with the Department of Emergency Services administering the grant program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $25M annual fund from legacy earnings for emergency services grants, increasing public safety funding and government spending on essential services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly funds mental health crisis teams via $25M annual grants, directly advancing mental health services under healthcare topic.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds communications technology upgrades for emergency services, directly supporting tech infrastructure in public safety priorities.85% confidence

Tags Public Safety

signed · North Dakota · House Apr 25, 2025

HB 1542: AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 44-04 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to designating student applications for admission to an institution of higher education as exempt records; and to declare an emergency.

HB 1542 designates student applications for admission to institutions of higher education as exempt records. This means that personal information submitted by students as part of their application process will not be subject to public disclosure laws. The bill aims to protect the privacy of applicants to North Dakota colleges and universities. It also includes an emergency declaration, indicating an immediate need for the change.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationDesignates student applications as exempt records to protect privacy, advancing educational protection goals in higher education access.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyDesignates student applications as exempt records, protecting applicant data privacy under North Dakota law, directly aligning with data privacy indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

failed · North Dakota · House Feb 18, 2025

HB 1616: A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 16.1-02-15 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to availability of voter lists.

HB 1616 modifies North Dakota's voter list access rules to clarify who can obtain voter data and for what purposes. It allows candidates, political parties, and committees to access voter lists for election-related activities but prohibits selling or misusing the data. The bill also creates new protections by making "secured active" voter records exempt from disclosure and specifies that funds from producing voter lists must go into the secretary of state's general fund. These changes directly affect political campaigns, election officials, and voters whose data is managed through the central voter file.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill restricts voter data access and misuse, implementing data privacy protections for election records, aligning with data privacy in tech policy.85% confidence

Track

signed · North Dakota · House Mar 12, 2025

HB 1038: AN ACT to provide an appropriation to the department of commerce for a state radar data pathfinder program; to provide for a report; and to declare an emergency.

HB 1038 appropriates $15 million to replace state-owned uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) that don’t meet federal security requirements under the National Defense Authorization Act and American Security Drone Act of 2023. It requires state agencies to return outdated UAVs to the uncrewed aircraft systems test site for disposal or sale, while providing new compliant UAVs, staff training, and a centralized registration system for agencies. The bill also allocates $11 million for a state radar data pathfinder program to integrate federal radar data with state UAV operations, enhance security protocols, and improve safety and infrastructure. Both programs require reports by June 2026 detailing implementation, costs, and compliance needs. The bill directly affects state agencies using UAVs and aims to ensure federal regulatory compliance.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $15M for UAV replacement program, directly funding state operations per budget requirements.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds replacement of non-compliant UAVs meeting federal security standards (NDAA, drone acts), enhancing cybersecurity through updated equipment and centralized registration.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Emerging Technology

signed · North Dakota · Senate Apr 1, 2025

SB 2353: AN ACT to amend and reenact sections 15.1-09.1-02.1 and 54-44.4-02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to regional education associations.

SB 2353 amends North Dakota law to define required services for regional education associations (REAs) seeking state funding and streamline contracting for these services. It mandates that REAs must provide professional development coordination, technology support, school improvement assistance, student data analysis help, and curriculum enrichment to member school districts (Section 15.1-09.1-02.1). The bill also adds contracts between the Department of Public Instruction and REAs to an exception list in state procurement rules, allowing direct contracting without standard competitive bidding (Section 54-44.4-02). This directly affects school districts participating in REAs and the state's education funding structure. The changes aim to clarify REA service obligations and simplify administrative processes for education support.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates REAs to provide curriculum enrichment, professional development, and tech support, strengthening educational services for schools.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates REAs to provide technology support as a required service, advancing tech integration in education through state-funded regional associations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

signed · North Dakota · Senate Apr 18, 2025

SB 2016: AN ACT to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of job service North Dakota; and to provide an exemption.

SB 2016 appropriates $6.7 million from North Dakota's general fund for Job Service North Dakota to cover salaries, operations, and other expenses during the 2025-2027 biennium. The bill also includes $76 million in total funding (from general, federal, and other sources) to support job services, including $10.9 million specifically for modernizing the state's unemployment insurance computer system. This funding directly affects Job Service North Dakota's operations, enabling it to maintain staff, cover daily costs, and upgrade its unemployment claims processing technology. The bill does not create new policies but provides financial resources for existing services and infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $6.7M from general fund for Job Service operations, directly funding essential state employment services per budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAppropriates $6.7M for Job Service operations and $10.9M for unemployment system modernization, directly funding employment services and worker benefits.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill allocates $10.9M specifically for modernizing unemployment insurance computer system, directly funding technology infrastructure upgrade.80% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Unemployment

passed · North Dakota · House Feb 17, 2025

HB 1593: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 51-07 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a covered platform's liability for publishing or distributing sexual material harmful to a minor; and to provide a penalty.

HB 1593 would require websites and online platforms (excluding news organizations) to verify users are 18+ before accessing sexual material deemed harmful to minors. It defines such material as content appealing to prurient interests, depicting sexual acts, or lacking literary/artistic value for minors, and mandates "reasonable age verification" methods like ID checks. Platforms failing this verification could face civil lawsuits from parents or individuals whose data was improperly retained, seeking damages, injunctions, or attorney fees. The bill explicitly excludes news-gathering organizations and internet service providers from liability for merely hosting content they don’t create. The bill failed to pass in the North Dakota legislature on February 17, 2025.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires age verification for platforms handling harmful content, regulating tech companies for minor protection per consumer safety indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Online Safety Social Media

Track

signed · North Dakota · Senate Mar 24, 2025

SB 2167: AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 29-26 and a new section to chapter 54-12 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the cost of digital forensic examinations and the establishment of an internet crime investigation fund; to provide a continuing appropriation; and to provide a penalty.

Relating to the cost of digital forensic examinations and the establishment of an internet crime investigation fund; to provide a continuing appropriation; and to provide a penalty.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes internet crime investigation fund via continuing appropriation, directly funding a public safety program through budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds internet crime investigations through a new appropriation, directly supporting law enforcement capabilities in digital forensics and criminal investigations.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEstablishes internet crime investigation fund and digital forensic examination costs, directly funding cybersecurity efforts to combat online crime.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations