Rep. David Richter

Maddy summaryHB 1494 amends North Dakota law to change how school districts calculate their "weighted average daily membership" for state funding. It assigns different multipliers to various student groups, such as 1.00 for extended programs, 0.60 for summer programs, and specific weights for English language learners based on proficiency levels. This directly affects all public school districts in North Dakota by altering the formula used to determine their state education funding. The bill also includes provisions for small rural districts with low enrollment and special education support. The changes would take effect July 1, 2025, if enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 1129 appropriates $1.25 million for a study on student attendance and absenteeism in North Dakota public schools (K-12) during the 2025-2027 biennium. The bill requires the superintendent of public instruction, with input from a research team, to analyze existing data, identify strategies used in high-attendance districts, and develop recommendations to address chronic absenteeism. It mandates a legislative report with findings and proposed legislation by September 1, 2026. The bill failed to pass on February 25, 2025, with 2 votes in favor and 88 against.

Maddy summaryHB 1569 requires North Dakota public school districts to provide sex trafficking awareness and prevention instruction to all students at least once before graduating high school, starting in the 2027-28 school year. The bill mandates that curriculum must cover victim demographics, accurate definitions of trafficking, reporting systems, risk identification, and recognizing grooming signs, while including medically and legally accurate information. School districts must use curriculum approved by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the instruction may be integrated into existing courses starting in grade seven. The bill directly affects all K-12 students and school districts in North Dakota through mandatory curriculum implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 1516 would require North Dakota public school boards to include 1-2 non-voting "board observers" who are current educational employees (like teachers or support staff) from the school district. These observers would represent staff interests at board meetings, participate in discussions, and provide summaries of meetings to the district's education association. The bill specifies observers must be appointed annually by the education association and cannot attend meetings about their own employment. This bill directly affects school boards, educational employees, and their associations by creating a formal channel for staff input in school governance.

Maddy summaryHCR 3022 is a non-binding resolution directing North Dakota's Legislative Management to study whether local governments (such as counties and cities) should invest public funds in stablecoins. The proposed study would examine security risks, financial oversight, stakeholder input, and practical considerations like cybersecurity and regulatory compliance. It does not authorize any investments but would gather data to inform future policy decisions. The resolution failed to pass in February 2025 after a vote of 15-75.

Maddy summaryHB 1370 clarifies the scope of administrative hearings for drivers who refuse roadside breath or oral fluid screening tests. It specifies that hearings can only review whether law enforcement had reasonable grounds to suspect impairment, whether the driver was arrested, and whether they refused the test. This affects drivers facing license revocation for refusing screening tests and ensures hearings focus strictly on these procedural issues. The bill updates existing North Dakota law (sections 39-20-05 and 39-20-14) without changing penalties for refusal.

Maddy summarySB 2187 sets new daily reimbursement rates for state employees traveling within North Dakota, with tiered rates based on time of day (e.g., $9 for 6 a.m.-12 p.m., $22 for 6 p.m.-12 a.m.). It caps lodging expenses at 90% of U.S. General Services Administration rates and establishes monthly reimbursement limits for legislators tied to these daily rates. The bill directly affects state employees and legislative members who incur travel costs for work-related duties. These changes amend specific sections of North Dakota’s Century Code to standardize and limit reimbursement amounts for lodging and travel expenses.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 1100 allocates $6 million from North Dakota's general fund to reimburse school districts for unpaid meal debt (outstanding charges for free or reduced-price meals) incurred before June 30, 2025. It directly affects school districts with delinquent meal debt by allowing the state to cover these costs using funds that can roll over into the 2025-2027 budget cycle. The bill requires the state superintendent to distribute reimbursements based on each district's share of statewide unpaid debt, capped at the district's actual debt amount. A legislative management report must detail the funds used, total debt by district, and reimbursement amounts.

Relating to a higher education infrastructure revolving loan fund; to provide an appropriation; to provide a transfer; and to provide for a legislative management report.