Rep. Anna Novak

Relating to careless driving and causing injury to the operator of an authorized emergency vehicle or damage to an authorized emergency vehicle; and to provide a penalty.

Maddy summaryHB 1554 restructures the North Dakota Outdoor Heritage Advisory Board by defining its 12-member composition: four agricultural representatives (from farm bureau, farmers union, stockmen's association, and grain growers), two energy industry members (petroleum and lignite councils), four conservation group representatives, plus one business and one recreation association member. The bill establishes four-year terms with a two-term limit, requires at least two annual meetings, and specifies that grant recommendations must have majority board approval. It does not create new programs or funding but clarifies board membership, meeting procedures, and grant review processes for existing outdoor heritage initiatives. The bill was enacted as an emergency measure and signed into law in March 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1294 amends North Dakota's traffic code to adjust fees for moving violations, directly affecting drivers convicted of specific traffic offenses. It sets a base fee of $20 for most moving violations but increases fees for certain offenses, including $150 for a first violation of passing a stopped schoolbus (Section 39-10-46) and $750 for repeat violations within five years. The bill also specifies higher fees for other violations, such as $100 for speeding in school zones (Section 39-08-20) or $500 for certain commercial vehicle offenses (Section 39-10-59). These changes are codified in Sections 39-06.1-06, 39-10-46, and 39-10-46.1 of the North Dakota Century Code.

Maddy summaryHB 1198 allows North Dakota park districts to join group purchasing agreements with the state or other local governments through a formal joint powers agreement. Specifically, it authorizes park district boards to participate in these cooperative buying arrangements, which can help reduce costs for shared goods and services. The bill does not apply to construction projects defined under state law. This change directly affects park districts by expanding their purchasing options under existing legal frameworks.

Maddy summaryHB 1547 creates a special education funding study committee to examine current funding models in North Dakota during the 2025-26 legislative interim. The committee, composed of legislators, school administrators, special education directors, and business managers, will review funding approaches including student contracts, high-cost student support, residential placements, and Medicaid reimbursement. It must submit findings and legislative recommendations to the 70th legislative assembly by the end of the interim period. This bill directly affects North Dakota's public school systems and special education programs by initiating a formal review of how funding is structured.

Maddy summaryHB 1153 clarifies what counts as "excavation" under North Dakota's one-call notice system, specifically adding detailed exclusions to the definition. It exempts certain activities from requiring the notice, including most agricultural work (like plowing under 18 inches deep), cemetery grave openings, and routine road maintenance (like gravel road repairs not involving ditches). This directly affects construction crews, utility workers, farmers, and landscapers who perform ground-disturbing work but fall under these exemptions. The bill changes compliance requirements by removing the need for one-call notices for these specific, low-risk activities.

Maddy summaryHB 1539 amends North Dakota law to clarify definitions and set procedures for "backup electric generation" - temporary, non-grid-connected power systems used to replace primary generation during outages. It requires utilities to submit written certifications to the Public Service Commission before construction activities, confirming the work won't affect protected areas and complies with existing siting rules. This applies specifically to temporary power systems (e.g., during power emergencies) and affects utilities building or modifying such infrastructure. The law standardizes the approval process for construction near designated avoidance areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes amending North Dakota's Constitution to allow $300 million annually from the common schools trust fund for statewide school construction over 10 years ($3 billion total). It modifies how distributions are calculated, requiring annual payments based on trust fund value while adding a fixed $600 million biennial allocation (split yearly) specifically for school construction under state programs. The change would directly affect public schools by providing dedicated funding for new buildings and renovations. The amendment must be voted on by North Dakota voters in 2026 after failing to pass the legislature (15 yeas, 77 nays) in March 2025.

Relating to a requirement for public school students to have the opportunity to recite the pledge of allegiance each morning and immunity for liability stemming from the recitation of the pledge of allegiance.

Maddy summaryHCR 3017 is a symbolic resolution designating December 6th as "Miner's Day" in North Dakota to honor coal miners. It recognizes coal miners' contributions to providing reliable, affordable energy (supplying 55% of the state's electricity) and supporting the economy ($5.5 billion in business activity, 12,000 jobs). The resolution urges the federal government to repeal the 2009 Endangerment Finding and revise regulations it claims disadvantage coal, while promoting carbon capture and coal-based technologies. This is a non-binding resolution with no legal effect, solely intended to publicly acknowledge coal miners' work and advocate for federal policy changes.