Rep. Karen Anderson

Maddy summaryHB 1519 requires North Dakota's Department of Health to compile and maintain individual death and vaccination records from the state's immunization and death registration systems. It mandates tracking specific details like vaccine type, date of vaccination, sex, race, and death dates within 720 days post-vaccination. The department must publish quarterly public reports on its website showing death rates for each vaccine type administered to over 20,000 people in the previous quarter, broken down by demographic groups and time intervals after vaccination. This bill directly affects the state health department's data management and public reporting processes.

Maddy summaryHB 1337 would provide $10 million in state funds to counties for mental health and substance use disorder treatment services for people in jail. The bill requires counties receiving grants to report annually on how funds were used and outcomes, and the health department to submit a summary report to lawmakers by 2026. This funding would cover the 2025-2027 biennium and aim to expand access to mental health care for incarcerated individuals.

Maddy summaryHCR 3020 is a symbolic resolution urging North Dakota to formally acknowledge "the Kingship of Jesus Christ" based on religious references in the bill text. It does not create new laws, policies, or requirements; instead, it requests the state adopt this religious acknowledgment. The resolution would have required the Secretary of State to forward copies to the Governor, President, and congressional delegation. The bill failed to pass the legislature on February 18, 2025, with 31 votes in favor and 59 against.

Maddy summaryHB 1443 updates North Dakota's special registration for farm and forestry vehicles by clarifying definitions and revising fee structures. It defines "farm vehicles" as trucks/trailers under 105,500 lbs used exclusively for farm operations (not commercial business) and creates a separate "forestry vehicle" category for forestry-related work. The bill establishes a tiered fee schedule based on vehicle weight and years registered, with lower rates for qualifying vehicles compared to commercial rates. This directly affects North Dakota farmers and forestry business owners who register eligible heavy-duty vehicles for non-commercial farm or forestry use.

Maddy summaryHB 1593 would require websites and online platforms (excluding news organizations) to verify users are 18+ before accessing sexual material deemed harmful to minors. It defines such material as content appealing to prurient interests, depicting sexual acts, or lacking literary/artistic value for minors, and mandates "reasonable age verification" methods like ID checks. Platforms failing this verification could face civil lawsuits from parents or individuals whose data was improperly retained, seeking damages, injunctions, or attorney fees. The bill explicitly excludes news-gathering organizations and internet service providers from liability for merely hosting content they don’t create. The bill failed to pass in the North Dakota legislature on February 17, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1456 would establish a framework for certified chaplains in North Dakota public schools, allowing school districts to hire or volunteer certified chaplains (defined as those certified by national/state organizations or endorsed by religious groups) to provide support to students, staff, or parents. The bill requires background checks for all chaplains, prohibits individuals required to register as sex offenders from serving, and protects chaplains from liability unless actions were maliciously intended to harm. It allocates $500,000 from the state general fund for 2025-2027 to cover chaplain salaries, training, oversight, and program evaluation, with districts limited to $200,000 per school. The bill directly affects public school districts, chaplains, and students/staff seeking spiritual support, while exempting chaplains from standard education licensing requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1145 requires all North Dakota state colleges and public school classrooms to display the full text of the Ten Commandments on a poster or framed document measuring at least 11x14 inches, centered with a large readable font. The bill mandates this display in every classroom and building under state educational institutions and school districts, specifying the exact wording and physical requirements. It allows schools to use public funds or donated funds to purchase these displays. The bill was introduced in January 2025 but failed to pass during its second reading on February 12, 2025, with 38 votes in favor and 53 against.

Maddy summaryHB 1548 allocates $10 million in one-time state funding to the Department of Health and Human Services for a fitness center grant at the Life Skills and Transition Center. The bill specifically provides funds to construct a fitness center that will directly benefit residents of this facility. The grant is intended for the 2025-2027 biennium and comes from the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund. This is a funding measure focused on physical health infrastructure for a specific state-run residential program.

Maddy summaryHB 1523 appropriates $500,000 from the state's strategic investment fund to provide grants for ski resort infrastructure repairs in North Dakota. The bill directly affects ski resorts needing to fix damage from snow/rain, deferred maintenance, or replace equipment, but requires them to secure dollar-for-dollar matching funds from nonstate sources. Grants can cover building repairs, infrastructure improvements, and equipment purchases during the 2025-2027 biennium. This is a one-time funding measure with no additional requirements beyond the matching funds condition.

Maddy summarySB 2206 changes North Dakota law regarding civil lawsuits involving commercial motor carriers (like trucking companies) and safety belt usage. It reduces the statute of limitations for certain injury or death claims from three years to two years and caps non-economic damages (like pain and suffering) at $500,000 per case against these carriers. The bill also clarifies that failing to wear a safety belt in a vehicle, as required by law, cannot be used as direct evidence of negligence in court but may reduce awarded damages by up to 1% if proven to have contributed to the injury. These changes apply specifically to civil actions arising from commercial motor vehicle operations.