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 summaryHCR 3036 is a constitutional amendment proposing changes to how North Dakota's legislature convenes. It would allow the legislature to meet annually or every two years for up to 100 days per session, with specific dates for organizational meetings (December) and regular sessions (starting January). The bill directly affects legislators by setting session length limits, requiring two separate readings of bills, and clarifying how sessions are counted (excluding organizational days and special sessions). If approved by voters, these changes would take effect on January 1, 2027.
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 summarySB 2285 would require North Dakota courts to interpret state laws, regulations, and rules without deferring to administrative agencies' interpretations. It directly affects state agencies (like environmental or health departments) that create regulations and courts that review those regulations. The bill's key provision mandates that after applying standard interpretation rules, courts must resolve any remaining ambiguity against increasing agency authority. The bill failed to pass in the Senate in March 2025, with 31 votes in favor and 57 against.
Maddy summaryHB 1474 proposes a new tax based on the square footage of residential properties in North Dakota, replacing the traditional ad valorem tax for many homeowners. It directly affects residential property owners (including single-family homes, condos, and townhouses), local governments that collect taxes, and businesses installing solar/wind/geothermal systems through new tax credits. Key provisions include establishing a per-square-foot tax rate on both land and structures, modifying existing property tax credit rules for energy-efficient installations, and requiring county boards to adjust tax assessments under new valuation requirements. The bill also repeals an existing exemption for new residential properties and sets limits on how much local governments can levy through this new tax structure. The bill failed to pass in the North Dakota legislature on March 11, 2025, with 5 votes in favor and 42 against.
Maddy summaryHB 1509 amends North Dakota's Century Code (section 4.1-09-19) to clarify procedures for oilseed producers seeking refunds of assessments paid to the oilseed council. Producers must submit a refund request within 60 days of payment and provide assessment records within 90 days after one year, triggering a 30-day refund processing window by the council. The bill requires the council to provide a refund form online and sets a $5 minimum refund threshold. It does not change the assessment amount or create new policies, only standardizing the refund process for affected producers.
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 1411 prohibits North Dakota state agencies, courts, and political subdivisions from adopting, implementing, or enforcing "extreme risk protection provisions" - rules or court orders that temporarily restrict firearm access for individuals deemed a risk to themselves or others. The bill explicitly bans such provisions (excluding domestic violence or mental health orders) and states that violating this prohibition is a class B felony. It also prevents state agencies from using public funds to support any related enforcement. This bill directly affects courts, law enforcement, and state agencies by blocking the implementation of "red flag" laws at the state level.
Relating to the issuance of a certificate of endorsement by a district party; and to amend and reenact sections 16.1‑11‑06 and 16.1‑11‑10 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to certificates of endorsement and the secretary of state's duty to place a candidate's name on a primary election ballot.
Maddy summaryHB 1352 would amend North Dakota law to allow churches and places of worship to permit individuals with valid concealed firearm permits to carry weapons inside their buildings. The bill creates liability protection for churches if they permit such carry, stating they cannot be held responsible for injuries caused by authorized individuals. It specifies that churches may allow concealed carry only for people already authorized under existing concealed carry laws (like reciprocity agreements) or with the church's approval. This policy change directly affects religious institutions and individuals seeking to carry firearms in places of worship, while maintaining prohibitions on firearms for most others in these settings.