Rep. Ty Dressler

Maddy summaryHB 1627 proposed appropriating $7 million to fund free school meals for eligible students during the 2026-27 school year. It would have provided meals at no cost to students in public or nonpublic schools whose household income is below 300% of the federal poverty level. The bill aimed to cover meal expenses through grants to school districts, with funding effective July 1, 2026. The legislation failed to pass in January 2026, receiving 45 votes in favor and 48 against. This was a funding measure, not a procedural resolution, and would have directly affected low-income students and school districts.

Relating to a legacy earnings fund, a legacy property tax relief fund, a state reimbursed taxable valuation reduction for residential, agricultural, and commercial property, limitations on taxable valuation increases, and voter-approved excess levy authority; to amend and reenact section 6‑09.4‑10.1, subsection 1 of section 21‑10‑06, section 54‑27‑19.3, subdivision c of subsection 1 of section 57‑02‑08.1, subdivision b of subsection 2 of section 57‑02‑08.1, and section 57‑02‑08.10, of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to funds invested by the state investment board, the homestead tax credit and renters refund, and the primary residence credit certification and state reimbursement; to repeal sections 21‑10‑12, 21‑10‑13, and 57‑02‑08.9 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to legacy fund definitions, the legacy earnings fund, and the primary residence credit; to provide an appropriation; to provide for a transfer; to provide an effective date; and to provide an expiration date.

Maddy summaryHB 1151 prohibits businesses from misrepresenting cell-cultured protein (lab-grown food from animal cells without slaughter) as meat. It requires clear labeling as "cell-cultured food product" and bans packaging that could confuse consumers into thinking it is meat. The law directly affects food producers and sellers of cell-cultured products in North Dakota. It repeals an outdated section of law about misrepresentation, making the new labeling rules the current standard. The bill became law after the governor signed it on April 23, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1170 amends North Dakota's Century Code section 54-06-14, which governs state employee annual leave. The bill modifies the rules for how state employees accrue or use annual leave, though the specific changes (e.g., accrual rates, eligibility) are not detailed in the provided abstract. It applies directly to all state employees covered under this code section. The bill includes an effective date provision but does not specify the exact policy modifications.

Maddy summaryHB 1204 amends North Dakota law to establish a penalty for publishing false information in political advertisements. The bill directly affects political campaigns, candidates, and organizations that run political ads within the state. It creates a legal consequence for knowingly distributing false claims in such advertisements, though the specific penalty amount or enforcement details are not detailed in the provided abstract. This amendment updates the state's legal framework to address misinformation in political advertising.

Maddy summaryHB 1416 amends a specific section of North Dakota's Century Code regarding charitable gaming. It changes rules about whether two different organizations can conduct charitable gaming events (like raffles or bingo) at the same physical location. The bill directly affects nonprofit organizations that rely on such fundraising activities. The summary is limited by the provided abstract, which does not detail the specific changes to the code section or the exact mechanism of the amendment. No further specific provisions or policy changes can be described from the available information.

Relating to the use of an engine compression brake device and cities and counties posting a zone prohibiting the use of an engine compression brake device; to amend and reenact section 39‑06.1‑09 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the definition of a moving violation; and to provide a penalty.

Maddy summaryHB 1480 would establish a process for non-legal owners to obtain a certificate of title for a motor vehicle that hasn't been registered for over ten years. To qualify, the requester must send a certified letter to the vehicle's last registered address and advertise the title request in a local newspaper for 14 days. If no response is received within 14 days and proof of compliance is provided, the state department would issue the title. This procedural bill directly affects individuals seeking to claim abandoned or long-unused vehicles. The bill failed to pass the legislature in March 2025.

Maddy summaryHCR 3033 is a concurrent resolution directing North Dakota's Legislative Management to study whether legislators should be allowed to hire personal legislative staff. It would examine the potential benefits of this practice, including comparing it to other states' approaches, and assess how it might support legislators during term limit transitions. The resolution requires Legislative Management to report findings and any needed legislation to the next legislative session. This resolution directly affects current and future legislators by exploring a potential change to their staffing resources.

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.