Rep. Pat Heinert

Maddy summaryHB 1171 creates a scholarship program for dependents of North Dakota law enforcement family members, directly affecting eligible students whose parents or guardians are full-time law enforcement officers (including correctional officers, firefighters, EMS providers, or peace officers) with at least three years of service. The program covers 50% of tuition costs (minus other aid) at state higher education institutions, administered by the State Board of Higher Education. It appropriates $5 million from the general fund for the 2025-2027 biennium to fund these scholarships. The bill defines eligibility through tax dependency exemptions and enrollment at state-controlled colleges or universities.

Maddy summarySB 2102 is a procedural bill that would amend North Dakota's court code to clarify the process for submitting a written request to change a judge in a case. It specifically addresses the requirements and application of such a demand, directly affecting parties involved in court proceedings who seek to replace a judge. The bill does not change substantive law but outlines the formal procedure for requesting a judge change. It was introduced in January 2025 but failed to pass in the legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 1342 proposes changes to North Dakota's licensing rules for gaming equipment manufacturers and distributors. It updates annual license fees (ranging from $1,000 to $10,000) and specifies that portions of these fees ($500-$1,500) must fund a charitable gaming technology program. The bill also clarifies distribution rules, requiring equipment sales only to licensed entities and mandating state gaming stamps for paper-based games like pull tabs. Additionally, it redefines "racing" to include live or simulcast horse racing under the certificate system. Note: The bill was introduced in January 2025 but withdrawn before committee action.

Maddy summaryHB 1427 requires data center developers to obtain a certificate of site compatibility from North Dakota's Public Service Commission before building new data centers or significantly expanding existing ones that involve energy consumption. The bill updates existing siting rules to explicitly include data centers as a regulated facility type, mandating that locations must minimize environmental and community impacts. Developers must submit written certifications about proposed sites and secure commission approval for unavoidable impacts on protected "avoidance areas," with a 30-day deadline for commission review. This policy directly affects data center operators planning new construction or major energy-intensive expansions in North Dakota.

Maddy summaryHB 1195 proposed changing the penalty fee for illegally overtaking or passing a school bus in North Dakota from an unspecified amount to $500. It directly affects drivers who violate school bus stop laws, as it would have increased the financial penalty for this traffic offense. The bill aimed to amend a specific section of North Dakota's traffic code (39-06.1-06) by updating the fee amount in subsection 2, subdivision k. The bill was introduced on January 10, 2025, but withdrawn from consideration on January 15, 2025, without becoming law.

Relating to permitting private tutors on public school premises; to amend and reenact section 15.1‑07‑26, subsection 8 of section 15.1‑15‑02, subsections 2 and 6 of section 15.1‑19‑10, section 15.1‑27‑03.1, subsection 4 of section 15.1‑27‑03.2, section 15.1‑27‑04.1, and subsection 5 of section 15.1‑36‑08 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to school district enrollment, the definition of "probationary teacher", a school district's policy governing possession of a weapon, the definition of "dangerous weapon", modification of weighting factors, transition maximums and an increase in per student payments, and the school construction revolving loan fund; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide a legislative management report; to provide an appropriation; to provide for an exemption; to provide for a transfer; and to provide an effective date.

Relating to financial entities use of merchant codes to track firearm and ammunition-related purchases; to provide a penalty; to provide a continuing appropriation; and to provide for a legislative management study.

Relating to a property tax credit for property used as a primary residence; to amend and reenact subsection 1 of section 57‑02‑08.1 and subsection 1 of section 57‑38‑30.3 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the homestead tax credit and income tax rates for individuals, estates, and trusts; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide for a legislative management report; to provide an appropriation; to provide an effective date; and to provide an expiration date.

Relating to rural ambulance service districts; and to provide an appropriation.