Rep. Dan Johnston

Maddy summarySB 2379 amends North Dakota law to require that entities conducting eminent domain proceedings (like government agencies or utilities) obtain either the landowner's written consent or a court order before surveying property. This change directly affects landowners whose property may be subject to eminent domain and the agencies or companies seeking to use it for public projects. The bill mandates that surveys must be conducted in a way that maximizes public benefit while minimizing private harm to landowners. It updates the existing process to clarify consent requirements and clarify that surveying does not create a legal claim for the landowner beyond claims for negligence or misconduct.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution encourages North Dakota's State Treasurer and State Investment Board to consider allocating portions of three specific state funds - the general fund, budget stabilization fund, and legacy fund - toward investments in digital assets (like cryptocurrencies) and precious metals. It cites inflation concerns and the need for investment diversification to protect the state's financial resources. The resolution is non-binding and serves only as a recommendation to the Treasurer and Board, not a mandate requiring specific investment actions. It does not alter existing investment rules or create new state obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 1291, despite its title suggesting a "legislative management study," actually creates new enforcement provisions targeting employment of unauthorized workers in North Dakota. The bill prohibits private employers from hiring or continuing to employ unauthorized workers (defined per federal law) and requires labor commissioner investigations for violations, with cases referred to the attorney general for prosecution. Penalties include escalating civil fines ($5,000 to $30,000) and business license suspensions or revocations for repeated offenses. The bill failed to pass the legislature on April 4, 2025, with 44 votes against and 1 in favor.

Maddy summaryHB 1326 amends North Dakota's self-defense law to clarify that individuals cannot claim self-defense if they were unlawfully carrying a firearm at the time of an incident. Specifically, the bill adds that possessing a firearm in violation of state law (e.g., without a permit or due to a disqualifying offense) automatically disqualifies a person from using self-defense as a legal justification. This directly affects people who might otherwise argue self-defense while illegally holding a gun. The key provision (Section 12.1-05-03, subsection 3c) explicitly states that unlawful firearm possession negates self-defense claims during encounters involving imminent harm. The bill was introduced in 2025 but failed to pass the legislature.

Relating to medical costs transparency for health care facilities; to amend and reenact section 26.1‑47‑02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to health care facility and preferred provider compliance with medical cost transparency requirements; and to provide a penalty.

Maddy summaryHB 1614 would have required North Dakota's Department of Transportation to study autonomous and semiautonomous vehicle technologies, particularly focusing on automated truck tractors, and submit a legislative report on findings. The bill also amended state law to define "automated truck tractor" as a vehicle with safety-critical functions operating without direct human input. This study was intended to assess how such technologies might impact transportation infrastructure and safety regulations. The bill was introduced in March 2025 but failed to pass, receiving only two votes in favor during its House vote.

Maddy summaryHB 1250 would change how minor traffic violations (with two or fewer points) appear on driving records in North Dakota. Under this bill, such violations would no longer be entered on the public driving record but would be kept in a separate, non-public internal file. However, these points would still count toward license suspension (for 12+ points) and point reduction eligibility under existing law. This directly affects drivers who receive minor traffic violations, as it would prevent these incidents from being visible to the public while maintaining their impact on license status.

Maddy summarySB 2199 would create a new rule in North Dakota law allowing disabled veterans with a 100% service-connected disability (verified by the Department of Veterans' Affairs) to receive a deer hunting license automatically. The bill directly affects qualifying disabled veterans by removing them from the standard lottery system for deer licenses. Under this proposed change, these veterans would be entitled to a license without competing in the annual drawing, streamlining access to hunting opportunities. This is a specific policy change to license eligibility, not a broader hunting regulation.

Maddy summaryHCR 3033 is a concurrent resolution directing North Dakota's Legislative Management to study whether legislators should be allowed to hire personal legislative staff. It would examine the potential benefits of this practice, including comparing it to other states' approaches, and assess how it might support legislators during term limit transitions. The resolution requires Legislative Management to report findings and any needed legislation to the next legislative session. This resolution directly affects current and future legislators by exploring a potential change to their staffing resources.

Maddy summaryHB 1147 updates North Dakota's fee schedule for hunting and fishing licenses and permits, directly affecting residents and nonresidents purchasing these licenses. The bill specifies exact fees (e.g., $30 for a resident big game license, $250 for a nonresident big game license) and clarifies where funds are deposited - most to the game and fish fund, with $45 from each nonresident big game license funding a private land initiative. It also details fees for specialized permits like fishing licenses for seniors/disabled residents ($5), commercial frog licenses ($50 for residents), and aquatic nuisance species fees ($15 per motorboat). The changes are purely administrative, adjusting existing fee structures without introducing new regulations or eligibility criteria.