Rep. Todd Porter

Relating to the amount of statutory fees; to amend and reenact sections 39‑04‑08 and 39‑04‑11 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to number plates; and to provide a penalty.

Maddy summaryHB 1376 would have required North Dakota high schools to provide annual CPR training to students, including bleeding control techniques, taught by certified instructors (such as those from the American Heart Association or Red Cross). Schools would have been permitted to offer optional certification, with the state reimbursing districts for training costs. The bill aimed to equip students with life-saving skills but failed to pass in the February 5, 2025, vote with 0 yeas and 92 nays. This legislation directly affected public high school students and school districts across North Dakota.

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 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 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 1101 would have classified mitragynine (the active ingredient in kratom) as a Schedule I controlled substance under North Dakota law, making it illegal to possess, sell, or distribute. This change would directly affect individuals using kratom products and businesses selling them within the state. The bill proposed amending specific sections of the North Dakota Century Code to implement this scheduling change. The legislation failed to pass in the legislature, receiving 15 votes in favor and 77 against on January 15, 2025.

Relating to the adoption of central standard time; and to repeal section 40‑01‑20 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to daylight saving time.

Relating to the provision of an income tax credit for purchases of manufacturing and animal agricultural machinery and equipment to automate a manufacturing or animal agricultural process; to amend and reenact subdivision j of subsection 3 of section 54‑35‑26 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to evaluation of economic development tax incentives; and to provide an effective date.

Relating to fishing contests, surcharge fees, and the fishing conservation fund; to amend and reenact subsection 20 of section 20.1‑02‑05 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the powers of the director of the game and fish department; to provide a continuing appropriation; and to provide an effective date.