Rep. Dawson Holle

Maddy summaryHCR 3008 designates Chuck Suchy as North Dakota's first state troubadour for a five-year term, recognizing his decades of work as a folk musician preserving the state's musical heritage. The resolution honors his contributions to celebrating North Dakota's agricultural roots, Native American heritage, and natural beauty through song. This is a ceremonial honor with no legal effect - it does not create new laws, alter regulations, or impact any individuals or groups beyond the symbolic recognition of Suchy's cultural work. The title follows North Dakota's tradition of honoring arts contributors, and the resolution expresses legislative appreciation for his role in advancing the state's cultural identity.

Maddy summaryHB 1340 amends North Dakota's vehicle tint law to clarify light transmittance requirements for window tinting. It requires that front windshields and front windows allow at least 70% light transmittance (meaning the tint can't be too dark), while other windows must allow at least 35% transmittance. The law does not apply to rear windows if a vehicle has outside mirrors meeting standard requirements. This directly affects drivers who install window tint, ensuring visibility for safety while maintaining existing exceptions for rear windows with proper mirrors.

Maddy summaryHB 1132 allows North Dakota public and nonpublic schools to serve whole, two percent, and flavored pasteurized milk through bulk milk dispensers. This law overrides previous restrictions in school nutrition codes (chapters 4.1-05, 4.1-25, 4.1-26, 19-02.1, and 23-09) that previously limited milk options. School districts or approved nonpublic schools can now establish policies permitting these milk types in cafeterias. The bill directly affects school nutrition programs and student meal choices in North Dakota. It became law after the Governor signed it on March 21, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2386 amends North Dakota's cottage food law to restrict how small-scale food businesses can sell products. It prohibits interstate sales, internet/phone/mail transactions, and the sale of uninspected meat or poultry products, with specific limits for poultry: operators may slaughter no more than 1,000 birds yearly, cannot buy/sell outside their own production, and must ensure products are non-adulterated. This directly affects cottage food operators who sell homemade food, limiting their sales channels and product types. The law, signed by the governor on March 20, 2025, clarifies regulatory boundaries for these small businesses.

Maddy summaryHB 1563 is a procedural bill that establishes a legislative study on tribal land taxation in North Dakota. It directs the state's legislative management to analyze issues related to taxing land owned by enrolled tribal members living within tribal reservations, including federal law, court decisions, state property tax exemptions for Native Americans, and tribal sovereignty conflicts. The study, to be completed during the 2025-26 interim, will examine how state and tribal tax authority interact and report findings with policy recommendations to the 70th Legislative Assembly. This bill does not change current tax laws but creates a formal process to review existing policies affecting tribal members and reservations.

Maddy summaryHB 1252 creates a dedicated tribal health care coordination fund in North Dakota's state treasury, providing ongoing state funding to tribal governments for public health services. Funds are distributed based on each tribe's federal care coordination funding, with strict requirements: tribes must use funds for core public health services (limiting capital construction to 50% until 2027, then 35%), submit annual reports, and undergo biennial independent audits. The state department of health withholds funds for missing reports or improper use, and can restore distributions once compliance is verified. This bill directly affects North Dakota's tribal nations by establishing formalized, accountable funding for health programs aligned with federal public health priorities.

Maddy summaryHCR 3019 is a ceremonial resolution passed by North Dakota's legislature to formally congratulate Donald J. Trump on his inauguration as U.S. President. It directly affects President Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and North Dakota's congressional delegation, as the resolution will be delivered to them. The resolution expresses the legislature's support for Trump's leadership, border policies, and conservative principles, citing his election victory and survival of assassination attempts. It has no policy impact beyond this symbolic gesture of recognition.

Maddy summaryHB 1397 designates "Dancing Dakota" (written by Chuck Suchy) as North Dakota's official state waltz and creates a process for appointing a state troubadour. The bill requires the North Dakota Council on the Arts chairman to appoint an individual to serve a five-year term as state troubadour, with vacancies filled by the chairman for the remaining term. This bill directly affects North Dakota's cultural identity by formally recognizing a specific musical piece and establishing a role for a state troubadour. It has no regulatory or financial impact, as it solely concerns ceremonial designations.

Maddy summarySCR 4029 is a procedural resolution directing North Dakota's Legislative Management to study the costs and environmental impacts of using non-native invasive plants versus native prairie plants. It requires a comparison of maintenance costs (like mowing, seeding, and pesticide use) and ecosystem effects between these plant types across state lands. The resolution does not change policy but mandates a report with findings and potential legislative recommendations for the 2025 session. This is a study request, not a law, and it failed to pass in the 2025 legislative session.

Maddy summaryHB 1232 amends North Dakota's definition of "residential property" for tax purposes. It specifically includes mobile homes (three or fewer) on a tract and vacant platted lots within city limits zoned for residential use. The bill excludes hotels/motels, buildings with four or more separate family units, and lots with four or more mobile homes. These changes would directly affect property tax assessments for affected properties and local assessors. The bill would take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.