Rep. Jim Jonas

Maddy summaryHB 1333 proposes requiring North Dakota public school districts to provide students with at least 30 minutes for lunch daily between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. It also allows high school students to be excused from the class immediately following lunch if they obtain a counselor’s written verification and provide it to their teacher once per semester. The bill directly affects all North Dakota public school districts and their students, particularly high schoolers seeking flexibility in their schedules. If enacted, it would establish a concrete, mandatory lunch break duration standard across the state’s public schools. (Note: The bill failed to pass in February 2025.)

Maddy summaryHB 1536 allocates $1.5 million to North Dakota's Department of Public Instruction to develop and implement a K-12 Native American history curriculum across all public schools. The funding is divided: $600,000 for curriculum development with tribal collaboration, $300,000 for teacher training, $500,000 for educational materials, and $100,000 for oversight. It requires a tribal advisory committee and mandates equitable resource distribution, especially for rural and underfunded schools. The bill also requires a 2026 progress report to the legislature on implementation and effectiveness.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 1285 adjusts compensation for North Dakota's permanent state employees, setting average 3% raises in 2025-26 and 2% in 2026-27, based on performance (excluding probationary staff and underperformers). It redirects $49.2 million - half the cost of prior higher raises - to the teachers' retirement fund for a one-time supplemental payment to eligible retirees. The bill requires state agencies to follow specific guidelines for implementing these raises and mandates the transfer to the teachers' fund during the 2025-27 biennium. It directly affects eligible state employees receiving raises and retirees receiving the supplemental payment.

Maddy summaryHB 1559 would limit annual increases in property taxes for residential homeowners in North Dakota by capping tax valuations at the average of the previous three years' values. Exceptions allow reassessment if property was previously untaxed, sold/transfered, or underwent significant improvements (not including routine maintenance or standard repairs after damage). The bill directly affects residential property owners by preventing sudden tax hikes from normal market value changes. It would take effect for tax years starting after December 31, 2024, and prohibits local governments from overriding these rules under home rule authority.

Maddy summaryHB 1517 would create the North Dakota Student Teacher Scholarship Program to support future educators. It directs the state board of higher education to administer $4.2 million in state funds (for 2025-2027) to provide scholarships of up to $3,000 per semester toward tuition and fees for student teachers enrolled in state-approved teacher preparation programs during their student teaching experience. Eligibility requires enrollment in such a program, satisfactory academic progress, and no existing teaching license. The program would directly benefit undergraduate student teachers pursuing initial teaching licensure in North Dakota.

Maddy summaryHB 1492 proposes a one-time $24 million appropriation from North Dakota's general fund to the Department of Public Instruction for a grant supporting a science museum construction project. The bill requires the museum project to secure $24 million in nonstate matching funds before receiving the state grant. This funding would cover the 2025-2027 biennium and is structured as a passthrough grant, meaning the state funds would be distributed through the Department of Public Instruction to the qualifying museum. The bill failed to pass in the legislature on February 5, 2025, with 90 votes against and 2 in favor.

Maddy summaryHB 1196 proposed standardizing criminal history record checks for specific applicants in North Dakota. It required individuals seeking certain jobs (like teachers, healthcare workers, foster parents, or adoption/parenting roles) to provide fingerprints and written consent for statewide and nationwide background checks, with agencies mandated to complete checks within three days. The bill applied to multiple state agencies including education boards, health departments, and foster care providers, but was withdrawn from consideration before becoming law.

Relating to reporting the value of prizes distributed by an organization using a permit to conduct raffles, bingo, sports pools, paddlewheels, twenty‑one, and poker.

Maddy summaryHB 1159 would require vendors selling digital event tickets (like for concerts or sports games) to provide a free physical copy upon customer request, with vendors allowed to charge up to $10 for shipping and handling. It directly affects businesses selling digital tickets and customers who prefer physical copies. The bill creates a new law in North Dakota's Century Code mandating this service without cost to the customer beyond reasonable shipping fees. The bill was introduced in January 2025 but failed to pass the legislature on January 22, 2025, with 67 votes against and 27 in favor.