Rep. Cindy Schreiber-Beck

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 summaryHB 1595 requires North Dakota pregnancy resource centers receiving state funding to meet specific health care and transparency standards. The bill mandates that funded centers must employ at least one licensed health care provider (like a nurse or physician), provide medically accurate and comprehensive pregnancy counseling, maintain HIPAA-compliant client records, and publish detailed organizational policies. Centers must also submit annual reports to the state including financial data, staff details, client service statistics (like pregnancy tests or ultrasounds provided), and material support given (e.g., diapers, baby supplies). These requirements apply directly to centers receiving state grants for pregnancy-related services. The bill was introduced in 2025 but failed to pass in committee.

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 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 1553 requires all North Dakota public and nonpublic schools to provide free breakfast and lunch to every student, eliminating meal debt restrictions that previously barred students with unpaid balances from meals or activities. It prohibits schools from stigmatizing students based on meal payment status (e.g., using tokens or public lists) or denying participation in school activities due to meal debt. The bill appropriates $140 million from the legacy earnings fund to the Department of Public Instruction for school meal grants, covering the 2025-2027 biennium. This policy directly affects all K-12 students and schools receiving state meal funding, ensuring universal access to meals without financial barriers.

Maddy summaryHB 1221 proposes allocating $24 million from North Dakota's general fund to the state board of higher education for workforce education innovation funds, to be distributed to eligible institutions during the 2025-2027 biennium. The bill provides direct funding for programs aimed at enhancing workforce training and education initiatives, primarily affecting community colleges and vocational schools eligible to receive these grants. It does not create new programs but establishes a funding mechanism for existing or planned workforce development efforts. The bill failed to pass in the legislature on February 11, 2025, with no support (0 yeas, 91 nays).

Maddy summarySB 2194 requires North Dakota's Bureau of Criminal Investigation to accept digital fingerprints for background checks and deliver results within four business days to requesting agencies (like employers or licensing boards). It appropriates $5 million to cover equipment and costs for this system during the 2025-2027 biennium. The bill applies to background check requests received after its effective date of February 1, 2026. This changes how criminal history checks are processed by making digital submissions and faster turnaround mandatory for state agencies conducting these checks.

Relating to the duties of occupational and professional boards and the receipt by the office of the governor of complaints following licensing decisions of occupational and professional boards; and to provide for a report.

Maddy summaryHB 1385 sets specific deadlines for processing water resource permits in North Dakota. It requires the Department of Water Resources to make a final decision on permit applications (for dams, dikes, or drainage projects) within 120 days, and if they miss this deadline, the permit is automatically approved. For appeals of local board decisions, the department must decide within 120 days, and failure to act results in the appeal being denied. This affects developers, landowners, and water management entities seeking permits for projects requiring state approval under North Dakota's water resource laws.

Relating to beef commission member appointments; and to amend and reenact section 4.1‑03‑02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to applicants for membership on the beef commission.