Rep. Austen Schauer

Maddy summaryHB 1554 restructures the North Dakota Outdoor Heritage Advisory Board by defining its 12-member composition: four agricultural representatives (from farm bureau, farmers union, stockmen's association, and grain growers), two energy industry members (petroleum and lignite councils), four conservation group representatives, plus one business and one recreation association member. The bill establishes four-year terms with a two-term limit, requires at least two annual meetings, and specifies that grant recommendations must have majority board approval. It does not create new programs or funding but clarifies board membership, meeting procedures, and grant review processes for existing outdoor heritage initiatives. The bill was enacted as an emergency measure and signed into law in March 2025.

Relating to ownership of accounting firms by qualified plans; and to amend and reenact subsection 3 of section 10-31-04 and subsection 3 of section 43‑02.2‑06 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to minority ownership of an accounting firm.

Maddy summaryHB 1522 allows North Dakota cities to permit golf carts on city streets through local ordinances, directly affecting city residents and golf cart owners. The law restricts operation to daytime travel between a resident's home and a golf course, prohibits use on federal/state/county highways (except perpendicular crossings), and exempts compliant golf carts from standard vehicle registration, title, and equipment requirements. This policy change gives cities flexibility to regulate low-speed vehicle use while maintaining safety standards on local roads.

Maddy summaryHB 1177 amends North Dakota's public employees retirement system definition to include correctional officers who are enrolled in, but have not yet completed, a state-approved training course. This change directly affects correctional facility workers in North Dakota who are currently in training for their roles. The key provision expands eligibility for retirement benefits to these trainees by adding them to the official definition of "correctional officer" under the retirement system code. The bill does not change benefit amounts or eligibility for already certified officers.

Maddy summaryHB 1142 amends North Dakota law to adjust annual liability caps for political subdivisions (like cities, counties, and school districts) when sued for negligence. It increases the maximum payout per person from $406,250 (effective July 2023) to $500,000 by July 2026, with corresponding increases for total claims per incident. The bill also clarifies that political subdivisions are generally not liable for discretionary decisions, public duty performance (like inspections or law enforcement), or certain road maintenance. These changes apply to claims arising from single incidents involving government entities.

Relating to information required in applications for professional employer services licensure, confidential records maintained by the secretary of state, notification provided to and fees charged by a notary public, notification provided to the registrant of a trade name, and fees charged by the secretary of state; and to provide a penalty.

Maddy summarySB 2227 amends North Dakota's public employees retirement system to require most new state and local government employees to enroll in the retirement plan within their first month of employment, unless they formally waive participation in writing for past service. It also allows retired employees who return to work (with a different employer or in specific unclassified state positions) to permanently opt out of future contributions and retirement plan participation. The law applies retroactively to December 14, 2024, and is declared an emergency measure. This change directly affects public employees, retirees returning to work, and participating government employers.

Maddy summaryHCR 3005 is a North Dakota legislative resolution urging the 119th U.S. Congress to add the names of 74 U.S. Navy sailors who died when the USS Frank E. Evans collided with an Australian ship in 1969 to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. It specifically requests Congress amend memorial inclusion criteria to recognize these sailors, who were on combat support missions in the South China Sea during Operation Sea Spirit. The resolution cites evidence showing the ship was engaged in combat support operations, aligning with eligibility under Title 38 of the U.S. Code. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change federal law but formally requests congressional action to honor the sailors, including two from North Dakota (Patrick Glennon and Robert Seale).

Maddy summaryHB 1357 amends North Dakota law to strengthen student data privacy protections for school districts. It requires school boards to adopt written policies mandating permission from the board before sharing student data with non-employees (except parents or as legally required), allowing data sharing with state entities only through formal agreements, and requiring districts to maintain and publicly provide lists of all individuals and personnel with data access. The law directly affects all North Dakota public school districts by establishing clear, enforceable rules for handling student information. These provisions aim to increase transparency and control over how student data is used and shared.

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.