Rep. Emily O'Brien

Maddy summarySB 2354 updates North Dakota's rules for personal electronic device use in schools serving prekindergarten through 12th grade. It amends existing law to clarify that schools can establish their own policies governing when and how students may use devices like phones or tablets during the school day. The bill provides a framework for school districts to create consistent rules, rather than banning devices outright. This directly affects all public and private K-12 schools in North Dakota that provide prekindergarten through secondary education.

Relating to critical minerals and rare earth minerals and royalties; to amend and reenact sections 38‑12‑01 and 47‑10‑24 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the definitions of critical minerals and rare earth minerals and descriptions and definitions of minerals in leases and conveyances; and to provide for retroactive application.

Relating to a long-term care facility infrastructure loan program; to amend and reenact subsection 3 of section 6‑09‑47 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the medical facility infrastructure loan fund; and to provide an appropriation.

Maddy summaryBased on the provided information, SB 2387 is an act that creates a new section within chapter 12.1-34 of the North Dakota Century Code. It relates specifically to the rights of sexual violence survivors. However, the provided context does not detail the specific rights or mechanisms the bill establishes for these survivors.

Maddy summaryHB 1524 creates a formal grant program allowing North Dakota's Department of Commerce to fund regional planning councils. The bill directs the department to award grants supporting local implementation of state programs like housing, workforce development, rural economic initiatives, and local food systems, subject to annual legislative funding. These grants can cover program execution, resource development, and efforts to attract public or private investment in communities. The law, signed by the governor in May 2025, directly affects regional planning councils and the local communities they serve.

Maddy summaryHB 1448 creates a new section in North Dakota state law to establish an Advanced Technology Review Committee, an Advanced Technology Grant Program, and a dedicated grant fund. The bill sets up a formal system for awarding grants to support advanced technology initiatives, with the committee managing applications and the fund providing financial resources. This directly affects organizations, businesses, or institutions seeking funding for technology projects within the state. The key mechanism is the creation of a structured, state-funded program to advance technology development through grants.

Maddy summarySB 2297 amends North Dakota law concerning the process for determining if an individual is incapacitated and unable to make their own decisions. The bill also updates the requirements for obtaining informed consent for medical treatment for both incapacitated patients and minors. This legislation directly affects healthcare providers, incapacitated individuals, minors, and their legal guardians or parents by clarifying the procedures for medical decision-making and consent in these situations.

Maddy summarySB 2282 creates a new income tax credit for qualified employers in North Dakota. This credit is designed for businesses that contribute to their employees' child care expenses. The bill amends existing sections of the North Dakota Century Code to establish this new tax incentive.

Maddy summarySB 2225 appropriates $50 million from North Dakota's Strategic Investment Fund to the Department of Commerce for grants supporting housing infrastructure. The bill provides funding to local communities (with allocations based on population size) to lower costs for infrastructure needed for market-rate housing projects, requiring a 1:1 match from local governments, developers, and private funds. Communities must use the funds for infrastructure like roads or utilities to support new housing, with reporting requirements to the legislature by June 2026. The program expires June 30, 2027, and aims to address housing needs in both urban and rural areas.

Relating to the establishment of the North Dakota center for aerospace medicine for mental health support and certification assistance; and to provide an appropriation.