Rep. Mike Lefor

Maddy summaryHB 1188 amends North Dakota law to clarify how school districts pay fees for vocational education centers. Participating districts pay fees based on their high school enrollment relative to all districts in the center, while non-participating districts pay based on their actual program usage. The bill requires centers to allocate student spots proportionally to enrollment and sets a 60-day payment deadline with a 1% monthly penalty for late payments. It applies directly to school districts using or accessing career and technology center programs across the state.

Maddy summarySB 2277 designates North Dakota State Highway 200 (from the Minnesota to Montana borders) as the "North Dakota Fallen Peace Officers Memorial Highway," requiring the state transportation department to install signs along the route. It allows families and associates of officers killed in the line of duty to request individual memorial markers on up to one mile of the highway. The bill also establishes a continuing appropriation to accept and use donated funds for sign placement, ensuring ongoing maintenance of the memorial. This affects the public by creating a permanent memorial site and directly involves families of fallen peace officers, law enforcement officers, and canine officers.

Maddy summarySB 2227 amends North Dakota's public employees retirement system to require most new state and local government employees to enroll in the retirement plan within their first month of employment, unless they formally waive participation in writing for past service. It also allows retired employees who return to work (with a different employer or in specific unclassified state positions) to permanently opt out of future contributions and retirement plan participation. The law applies retroactively to December 14, 2024, and is declared an emergency measure. This change directly affects public employees, retirees returning to work, and participating government employers.

Maddy summaryHCR 3006 is a non-binding resolution passed by North Dakota's legislature urging the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to improve mail processing and transparency statewide. It specifically requests better handling of mail delivery to address disruptions affecting rural residents, local newspapers, small businesses, and legal processes like court notices. The resolution asks USPS to implement clearer communication about service disruptions and standardized reporting procedures. As a concurrent resolution, it does not create new laws but formally expresses legislative concern to the Postmaster General and North Dakota's congressional delegation.

Maddy summaryHB 1293 creates a North Dakota program providing small, durable medallions to identify veteran status on headstones or grave markers. It directly affects National Guard and National Guard Reserve members buried outside state veterans' cemeteries who do not qualify for existing state or federal medallions. The Department of Veterans' Affairs will administer the program, issuing these medallions as a way to honor veterans' service on their existing gravesites. The bill establishes this as a new policy under North Dakota law, effective after the Governor signed it on March 14, 2025.

Relating to the primary residence credit; to provide for application; to provide a retroactive effective date; to provide an expiration date; and to declare an emergency.

Maddy summaryHB 1038 appropriates $15 million to replace state-owned uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) that don’t meet federal security requirements under the National Defense Authorization Act and American Security Drone Act of 2023. It requires state agencies to return outdated UAVs to the uncrewed aircraft systems test site for disposal or sale, while providing new compliant UAVs, staff training, and a centralized registration system for agencies. The bill also allocates $11 million for a state radar data pathfinder program to integrate federal radar data with state UAV operations, enhance security protocols, and improve safety and infrastructure. Both programs require reports by June 2026 detailing implementation, costs, and compliance needs. The bill directly affects state agencies using UAVs and aims to ensure federal regulatory compliance.

Relating to a legacy earnings fund; to amend and reenact section 6‑09.4‑10.1, subsection 1 of section 21‑10‑06, and section 54‑27‑19.3 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to funds invested by the state investment board; to repeal sections 21‑10‑12 and 21‑10‑13 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to legacy fund definitions and a legacy earnings fund; to provide an effective date; and to declare an emergency.

Maddy summarySB 2355 would require North Dakota's public school science standards to include "intelligent design" as a "viable scientific theory" for all K-12 students by August 2027. The bill mandates the state superintendent to add it to curriculum standards, provide teachers with instructional materials supporting this view, and offer required training. The measure failed to pass in February 2025, receiving 22 votes in favor and 25 against. It directly affects science education content and teacher preparation in North Dakota public schools.

Relating to immunity and a defense for persons related to voting on legislation and closure of matters by the ethics commission; to amend and reenact sections 12.1‑13‑02, 54‑66‑10, 54‑66‑12, and 54‑66‑18 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to immunity from criminal prosecution, individuals' rights to appeals, confidential information, and conflicts of interest; to provide for application; and to declare an emergency.