Maddy summaryHB 1257 amends North Dakota's legislative code to set specific timing, duration, and agenda requirements for the organizational session of the state legislature. It requires all newly elected and continuing legislators to meet in Bismarck during the first two weeks of December in even-numbered years for a session lasting at least five business days. The bill mandates that the organizational session agenda include mandatory items like new legislator orientation, committee reports, party caucus discussions, budget presentations, and procedural reviews. This procedural bill directly affects all North Dakota state legislators by standardizing how the legislature prepares for its annual regular session. The changes aim to ensure the legislature is fully organized and ready to begin substantive work by the start of the regular session.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 1183 requires North Dakota's state treasurer to invest at least 1% of general fund money in gold or silver bullion, coins, or approved investment instruments, held directly or through a qualified custodian. It mandates the treasurer to develop management policies for these investments and conduct a study on their costs and benefits - including inflation and economic stability impacts - reporting findings to lawmakers by June 2026. The investment rule would take effect on July 1, 2027, while the study must be completed during the 2025-26 legislative interim. The bill directly affects how the state treasurer manages state funds and requires specific reporting on gold/silver investments.
Maddy summaryHCR 3031 is a non-binding resolution directing North Dakota's Legislative Management to study the regulation and economic impact of THC-infused beverages (drinks containing hemp-derived THC). It specifically requests an analysis of the current regulatory framework and potential economic effects if these beverages were permitted in the state. The resolution requires Legislative Management to report findings and any recommended legislation to the next state legislative session. This study would inform future policy decisions but does not change existing laws or directly affect any businesses or consumers at this time.
Maddy summaryHB 1472 would have created a legal framework for microschools in North Dakota - defined as educational programs serving no more than 50 students, operated by parents, entrepreneurs, or teachers. The bill would have allowed microschools to operate in homes, community spaces, or public venues without special zoning approvals, while exempting them from standard teacher certification, building codes, and childcare regulations. Parents would have needed to notify school districts of their child’s enrollment, but students would have still met school attendance requirements and been required to take standardized tests in grades 4, 6, 8, and 10. The bill also ensured microschool students could not face discrimination in public school admissions or activities. (Note: The bill failed to pass in February 2025 with 41 votes in favor and 49 against.)
Maddy summaryHB 1244 would create a North Dakota income tax credit for parents who home-educate their children. It allows taxpayers to claim a credit of up to $10,000 per qualifying child annually (or $5,000 for married filers filing separately) for qualified educational expenses like books, tuition, computers, and software. To qualify, the child must be a dependent under 19, home-educated under North Dakota law, and the expenses must be directly related to home education. The credit would apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, and cannot exceed the taxpayer’s total income tax liability. This bill directly affects North Dakota parents who homeschool their children and choose to claim this tax benefit.
Maddy summaryHB 1609 would create an alternative path to take the North Dakota bar exam, allowing applicants without a law degree to qualify by completing 2,000 hours of supervised legal work under a licensed attorney or tribal advocate over five years, plus holding a four-year college degree. The program requires supervising attorneys to verify hours through written affidavits, and applicants could also qualify by serving as a state legislator for four or more years. This would directly affect aspiring lawyers seeking bar admission without traditional law school credentials. The bill, which failed to pass in February 2025, aims to expand access to legal licensure through practical experience.
Relating to restrictions on legislative lobbyists; to amend and reenact section 54‑05.1‑07 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to penalties for legislative lobbyists; and to provide a penalty.
Maddy summaryNorth Dakota's SCR 4011 is a state resolution urging Congress to call a constitutional convention to propose term limits for U.S. Congress members. It specifically seeks to limit House members to a set number of terms and Senate members to a set number of terms, aiming to increase accountability to constituents. The resolution is part of a broader state-level effort to gather enough state applications (two-thirds of states) under Article V of the Constitution to trigger such a convention. It does not impose term limits itself but requests Congress initiate the process for amending the Constitution.
Maddy summarySB 2364 clarifies jurisdiction rules for financial assets held through brokers (e.g., stocks, bonds). It requires brokers to hold assets for investors (not as their own property) and establishes that investors’ claims take priority over broker creditors when assets are insufficient, unless creditors control the assets. This affects investors, brokers, and creditors in securities transactions. The bill standardizes which state laws apply to these transactions by defining "issuer’s jurisdiction" and "securities intermediary’s jurisdiction."
Relating to political organizations; and to repeal sections 16.1‑03‑03, 16.1‑03‑05, 16.1‑03‑08, and 16.1‑03‑17 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to district parties and district committees.