Rep. Pat Heinert

Maddy summaryHB 1543 authorizes a legislative study to examine federal prescription drug pricing mechanisms, specifically the maximum fair price set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the Inflation Reduction Act. The study will analyze how federal drug pricing negotiations overlap with drugs covered by North Dakota's public employees retirement system to assess potential cost savings for the state and consumers. It requires input from the public employees retirement system, insurance commissioner, state pharmacy board, and other stakeholders. The legislative management must report findings and any recommended legislation to the next state legislative assembly.

Relating to designating the bridge on state highway 6 as the CPL Raymond Porter Korea bridge; to provide a continuing appropriation; and to declare an emergency.

Maddy summarySB 2290 amends North Dakota law governing punitive damages (also called "exemplary damages"). It clarifies that courts or juries may only award these punitive damages when a defendant's conduct involves "oppression, fraud, or actual malice," proven by clear and convincing evidence. The bill sets strict procedural rules: a party must first file a motion with supporting evidence to seek punitive damages, and the award cannot exceed twice the compensatory damages or $250,000. It also prohibits punitive damages against manufacturers who complied with federal safety standards and adds specific rules for drunk driving cases involving recent DUI convictions. This law directly affects plaintiffs seeking punitive damages, defendants, and courts handling such claims in North Dakota.

Maddy summaryHB 1213 establishes a new "Jail Improvement Revolving Loan Fund" administered by the Bank of North Dakota to provide low-interest loans for jail infrastructure projects. It directly affects counties and regional correctional authorities, enabling them to apply for loans (up to $40 million at 2% interest over 30 years) to renovate, expand, or replace aging jail facilities meeting specific cost and capacity criteria. The bill creates a committee to review applications based on factors like inmate occupancy, structure age, and community support, and mandates a $200 million transfer from the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund to seed the new loan program for the 2025-2027 biennium. The fund operates as a revolving loan program, with principal and interest repayments replenishing the fund for future projects.

Maddy summaryHB 1238 amends North Dakota's teaching license rules to require teachers with lifetime licenses to report certain information to the Education Standards Board every five years. Specifically, it mandates that these teachers submit a report disclosing any criminal violations since their last report or any issues that could lead to license revocation. The report must be provided in a board-prescribed format but cannot cost the teacher anything. This change directly affects North Dakota teachers who have held a teaching license for 30 years and received lifetime licensure.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts infrastructure fees collected by North Dakota cities and counties from local tax spending limits. It ensures fees for projects like roads, sewers, or utilities won't count toward the maximum taxes a city or county can levy under state law. The law applies to fees defined in specific sections of the North Dakota Century Code (including sections 11-11-55.1 and 40-22-01.3). This change directly affects how local governments fund infrastructure projects without triggering budget restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 1177 amends North Dakota's public employees retirement system definition to include correctional officers who are enrolled in, but have not yet completed, a state-approved training course. This change directly affects correctional facility workers in North Dakota who are currently in training for their roles. The key provision expands eligibility for retirement benefits to these trainees by adding them to the official definition of "correctional officer" under the retirement system code. The bill does not change benefit amounts or eligibility for already certified officers.

Maddy summaryHB 1155 creates a new "certificate of collector's title" for owners of reconstructed, rebuilt, antique, or vintage street rods, collector vehicles, or special interest motor vehicles in North Dakota. This certificate allows owners to legally reconstruct, rebuild, or sell these vehicles without requiring a safety inspection, but it prohibits driving them on public roads, streets, or highways (violating this is a class A misdemeanor). Owners must pay a $10 fee and provide proof of ownership, while the state may deny the certificate for false statements, unpaid taxes, or if the vehicle is stolen or under lien. The law directly affects classic car owners and collectors seeking to legally modify or sell their vehicles without standard inspection requirements.

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.

Relating to a state alert notice system; and to repeal sections 39‑03‑13.2 and 54‑12‑32 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the state's silver and blue alert notice systems.