Relating to the creation of the city, county, and township road fund; to amend and reenact subsection 1 of section 39‑04‑19.2, section 54‑27‑19, subsection 1 of section 57‑43.1‑02, and subsection 1 of section 57‑43.2‑02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle road use fee, the tax imposed on motor vehicle and special fuels, and the highway tax distribution fund; and to provide an effective date.
HB 1106 allocates $2 million from North Dakota's general fund to the Department of Transportation for grants supporting nonfixed route public transit services. These grants directly assist public transportation providers (such as rural or on-demand transit systems) during the 2025-2027 biennium. The bill creates a dedicated funding stream for nonfixed route transit programs without altering existing service requirements or eligibility rules.
HB 1444 amends North Dakota law to clarify the process for adding local roads to the county road system. It requires county commissioners to notify townships when a road meets criteria under section 24-05-16 and is under township jurisdiction, and to hold a public meeting for community input before making a final decision. This directly affects county commissioners, townships, and residents who use these local roads, ensuring transparency in road system expansion. The bill does not change road maintenance responsibilities but adds a procedural step for community engagement.
Relating to designating the bridge on state highway 6 as the CPL Raymond Porter Korea bridge; to provide a continuing appropriation; and to declare an emergency.
HB 1294 amends North Dakota's traffic code to adjust fees for moving violations, directly affecting drivers convicted of specific traffic offenses. It sets a base fee of $20 for most moving violations but increases fees for certain offenses, including $150 for a first violation of passing a stopped schoolbus (Section 39-10-46) and $750 for repeat violations within five years. The bill also specifies higher fees for other violations, such as $100 for speeding in school zones (Section 39-08-20) or $500 for certain commercial vehicle offenses (Section 39-10-59). These changes are codified in Sections 39-06.1-06, 39-10-46, and 39-10-46.1 of the North Dakota Century Code.
This bill exempts infrastructure fees collected by North Dakota cities and counties from local tax spending limits. It ensures fees for projects like roads, sewers, or utilities won't count toward the maximum taxes a city or county can levy under state law. The law applies to fees defined in specific sections of the North Dakota Century Code (including sections 11-11-55.1 and 40-22-01.3). This change directly affects how local governments fund infrastructure projects without triggering budget restrictions.
HB 1235 amends North Dakota's agriculture infrastructure grant program to specifically fund road and bridge improvements needed for value-added agriculture businesses. It directs the agriculture commissioner (with transportation department input) to award grants to counties, cities, and townships for projects like corridor upgrades on local roads or access road/bridge repairs serving these businesses. The bill directly affects local governments managing infrastructure and businesses processing agricultural products (like food manufacturing or packaging). Key provisions require grants to target infrastructure directly supporting value-added agriculture operations, not general road maintenance. This law, signed by the governor on March 24, 2025, clarifies and expands the program's focus.
HB 1340 amends North Dakota's vehicle tint law to clarify light transmittance requirements for window tinting. It requires that front windshields and front windows allow at least 70% light transmittance (meaning the tint can't be too dark), while other windows must allow at least 35% transmittance. The law does not apply to rear windows if a vehicle has outside mirrors meeting standard requirements. This directly affects drivers who install window tint, ensuring visibility for safety while maintaining existing exceptions for rear windows with proper mirrors.
Relating to designating a portion of state highway 5 in Bottineau as the LCDR Carl J. Woods Vietnam bridge; to provide a continuing appropriation; and to declare an emergency.
HB 1518 would update North Dakota's traffic code to clarify rules for driving around rotary traffic islands (roundabouts). It requires vehicles to drive only to the right of such islands and mandates drivers to signal before exiting a rotary. The bill specifically applies to drivers navigating designated roundabouts on one-way roadways, as defined in the amended traffic code section. This proposal did not pass the legislature, with 3 votes in favor and 43 against.
