Rep. Josh Christy

Relating to the enforcement process for the North Dakota ethics commission; and to repeal sections 54‑66‑06, 54‑66‑07, and 54‑66‑09 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to complaints filed with the North Dakota ethics commission.

Maddy summaryHB 1239 protects digital asset mining operations in North Dakota by preventing local governments from banning or restricting them in residential areas (if noise rules are followed) or imposing stricter rules than for other commercial businesses. It exempts blockchain-related activities - like operating nodes, mining, or developing blockchain software - from requiring a money transmitter license. The bill defines key terms such as "digital asset" (including cryptocurrencies and NFTs) and "digital asset mining" (using computers to validate blockchain transactions). These provisions directly affect miners, blockchain businesses, and local zoning authorities by creating clear regulatory boundaries for the industry.

Maddy summaryHB 1478, if enacted, would create new protections in North Dakota law for access to contraceptives. It defines contraceptives broadly (including pills, IUDs, condoms, and patches) while excluding abortion drugs, and guarantees individuals the right to receive, purchase, or use contraception under evidence-based medical guidelines. The bill also protects health care providers who decline to provide contraception based on religious or moral objections, and ensures health insurers cover contraceptive care. It allows lawsuits against state entities that restrict these rights, with penalties including court-ordered relief and attorney fees for successful plaintiffs.

Maddy summaryHB 1477 would create new legal protections for fertility care access in North Dakota. It guarantees individuals the right to receive fertility treatments and make decisions about reproductive genetic material, while also protecting health care providers, insurers, and manufacturers from state restrictions on these services. The bill prohibits state agencies or subdivisions from implementing policies that limit access to fertility treatments, except for health/safety regulations that follow established medical guidelines. Violations could trigger civil lawsuits by affected individuals or the attorney general, with courts able to block the restrictive policy and award legal fees to the winning party. This bill directly affects patients seeking fertility care, clinics providing those services, health insurers, and manufacturers of fertility-related products.

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 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 1184 would allow North Dakota's Board of University and School Lands, State Investment Board, and State Treasurer to invest up to 10% of their managed funds in specific digital assets (like stablecoins or cryptocurrencies with a $500 billion+ average market cap) or precious metals (gold, platinum, or silver). The bill requires all digital asset investments to be held securely through approved custodians or exchange-traded products, with strict rules for staking or lending digital assets to avoid increasing state financial risk. It defines key terms like "stablecoin" (dollar-backed digital currency) and "secure custody solution" (requiring multi-location hardware storage and regular security audits). The policy directly affects how state investment entities manage public funds, but the bill failed to pass in January 2025 after committee review.

Maddy summaryHB 1320 would prohibit creating or distributing AI-altered videos or images that falsely depict someone without their consent, with the intent to deceive. This applies to anyone sharing such "deepfake" content, including on social media or other platforms. Violations would be classified as a class A misdemeanor, potentially resulting in fines or jail time. The law specifically targets deceptive digital content meant to harm reputations or spread misinformation.

Maddy summaryHCR 3004 is a ceremonial concurrent resolution from the North Dakota Legislature congratulating the North Dakota State University (NDSU) football team on winning their 10th national championship since 2011. It formally recognizes the team's victory in the FCS championship game on January 6, 2025, and highlights the program's academic achievements, including student-athletes' high GPAs. As a symbolic gesture, the resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it merely expresses legislative praise and directs copies to NDSU leadership. This is a procedural resolution, not a substantive bill affecting laws or regulations.