Rep. Matt Ruby

Maddy summaryHB 1200 amends North Dakota's high school graduation requirements to require one unit of computer science or cybersecurity (subdivision h) for all students, effective after July 31, 2025. It allows schools to grant credit for up to one unit of coursework under "emergent circumstances" (e.g., natural disasters disrupting normal education) by substituting alternative courses like dual-credit or electives. This applies to students in North Dakota public and nonpublic high schools who demonstrate such emergencies. The bill also updates existing GED credit provisions but focuses primarily on creating flexibility for emergency disruptions to graduation requirements.

Maddy summarySB 2096 provides $5 million for renovating state hospital buildings to serve individuals with mental illness under correctional custody, involuntary commitment, or court-ordered forensic exams. It also appropriates $100 million to establish four regional acute psychiatric treatment and residential supportive housing services across North Dakota. The funds will allow the Department of Health and Human Services to build up to 24-bed facilities in each region or contract with private providers for these services. The bill directly affects individuals requiring acute psychiatric care and supportive housing, with funding allocated for the 2025-2027 biennium.

Relating to health status exceptions for health care facilities; to amend and reenact sections 14‑02.4‑01, 14‑02.4‑02, 14‑02.4‑03, 14‑02.4‑04, 14‑02.4‑05, 14‑02.4‑06, 14‑02.4‑08, and 14‑02.4‑09, subsection 1 of section 14‑02.4‑14, subsection 1 of section 14‑02.4‑15, and sections 14‑02.4‑16 and 14‑02.4‑17 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to creating a new status related to human rights and antidiscrimination policies; and to provide an appropriation.

Maddy summaryHB 1147 updates North Dakota's fee schedule for hunting and fishing licenses and permits, directly affecting residents and nonresidents purchasing these licenses. The bill specifies exact fees (e.g., $30 for a resident big game license, $250 for a nonresident big game license) and clarifies where funds are deposited - most to the game and fish fund, with $45 from each nonresident big game license funding a private land initiative. It also details fees for specialized permits like fishing licenses for seniors/disabled residents ($5), commercial frog licenses ($50 for residents), and aquatic nuisance species fees ($15 per motorboat). The changes are purely administrative, adjusting existing fee structures without introducing new regulations or eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 1154 extends a moratorium on adding new basic care and nursing facility bed capacity in North Dakota from August 1, 2023, through July 31, 2029. It prohibits new licenses for basic care beds unless facilities convert existing beds, demonstrate high demand (90% occupancy within 50 miles for 12 months), or receive department approval. The bill also restricts nursing facilities from changing bed configurations more than twice annually, except for specific conversions or relicensing after July 31, 2011. This law directly affects nursing homes and care facilities seeking to expand or reconfigure bed capacity across the state.

Relating to military sacrifice number plates; and to amend and reenact section 39‑04‑10.3 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to personalized plates.

Maddy summaryHB 1142 amends North Dakota law to adjust annual liability caps for political subdivisions (like cities, counties, and school districts) when sued for negligence. It increases the maximum payout per person from $406,250 (effective July 2023) to $500,000 by July 2026, with corresponding increases for total claims per incident. The bill also clarifies that political subdivisions are generally not liable for discretionary decisions, public duty performance (like inspections or law enforcement), or certain road maintenance. These changes apply to claims arising from single incidents involving government entities.

Maddy summaryHB 1267 amends North Dakota's optometry licensure laws to clarify the scope of practice for optometrists. It explicitly defines "optometric services" to include prescribing certain eye-related medications (like diagnostic dyes and topical treatments) while prohibiting laser therapy and surgery except for removing superficial foreign bodies. The bill also establishes requirements for telemedicine providers ("distant site providers") to hold an active state license and defines key terms like "diagnosis and treatment" to ensure consistency. These changes directly affect optometrists, their practices, and the state licensing board, updating administrative rules and fee structures for licensure.

Maddy summaryHB 1338 requires North Dakota's Department of Health and Human Services to determine if an individual involved in a child abuse or neglect allegation is military-connected during investigations. If the individual is military-affiliated, the department must notify the nearest military installation's family advocacy program about the case. This directly affects military-connected parents, guardians, or caregivers in child welfare cases across the state. The law creates a specific procedural step to coordinate child welfare investigations with military support services.

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.