Rep. Dori Hauck

Maddy summaryHB 1385 sets specific deadlines for processing water resource permits in North Dakota. It requires the Department of Water Resources to make a final decision on permit applications (for dams, dikes, or drainage projects) within 120 days, and if they miss this deadline, the permit is automatically approved. For appeals of local board decisions, the department must decide within 120 days, and failure to act results in the appeal being denied. This affects developers, landowners, and water management entities seeking permits for projects requiring state approval under North Dakota's water resource laws.

Maddy summarySB 2206 changes North Dakota law regarding civil lawsuits involving commercial motor carriers (like trucking companies) and safety belt usage. It reduces the statute of limitations for certain injury or death claims from three years to two years and caps non-economic damages (like pain and suffering) at $500,000 per case against these carriers. The bill also clarifies that failing to wear a safety belt in a vehicle, as required by law, cannot be used as direct evidence of negligence in court but may reduce awarded damages by up to 1% if proven to have contributed to the injury. These changes apply specifically to civil actions arising from commercial motor vehicle operations.

Maddy summaryHB 1405 would require defendants in civil court cases to serve their written responses (answers) to complaints within 60 days of being served with the complaint. This procedural change would directly affect defendants in North Dakota civil lawsuits by establishing a uniform deadline for responses, overriding any existing time limits under other laws.

Relating to the creation of districts, district commission member nomination and election procedures, and the costs of elections of district representative commission members; to amend and reenact sections 4.1‑03‑01, 4.1‑03‑02, 4.1‑03‑03, and 4.1‑03‑04 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the definition of a cattle industry representative, the election and terms of members to the North Dakota beef commission, commission vacancies, and requiring livestock auction markets and livestock dealers to forward names of cattle sellers; to provide a penalty; and to provide an effective date.

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 2168 amends North Dakota law to clarify that hunting within 402 meters (440 yards) of any occupied building, occupied structure, or storage structure without the property owner's consent is unlawful. The bill directly affects hunters who may operate near residential or commercial properties, requiring them to obtain permission before hunting in this buffer zone. Key provisions specify the 402-meter distance limit and mandate written consent from the property owner for hunting activity within that range. This update refines existing regulations to explicitly include storage structures in the restricted area.

Maddy summaryHB 1251 would prohibit North Dakota public schools from holding extracurricular activities - including games, practices, performances, or competitions - on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter Sunday. The bill defines "family days" as these specific holidays under existing state law and applies to all school activities, whether required or optional. It directly affects school districts and student participation in events on these dates. The proposed law failed to pass in January 2025 after committee review.

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 the administration of a federally sponsored animal identification program by the state veterinarian; and to repeal sections 4.1‑72‑05 and 4.1‑72‑06 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating the administration of a federally sponsored animal identification program and records relating to the program.

Relating to the publication and distribution of water resource board meeting minutes.