Rep. Desiree Morton

Maddy summaryHB 1292 would remove carbon dioxide pipelines from being classified as "common pipeline carriers" under North Dakota law. This change directly affects owners and operators of CO2 pipelines by exempting them from requirements to transport any customer's CO2 without discrimination at set rates. The bill amends sections 49-19-01, 49-19-11, and 49-19-19 of the North Dakota Century Code to exclude CO2 pipelines from the definition and rules governing common carriers. This policy shift modifies how CO2 pipeline operations are regulated, separating them from traditional oil/gas pipeline common carrier obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 1573 would impose a $5 per ton tax on substances transported via pipelines longer than 25 miles (after July 31, 2025) for permanent underground storage in North Dakota. This tax applies to pipeline operators transporting materials for underground storage, requiring monthly reporting and payments to the state tax commissioner. Revenue collected would first fund the North Dakota Disaster Fund (up to $500 million), which can only cover pipeline-related emergency costs, specialized equipment, or training for pipeline hazards. Any excess revenue would go to the state general fund. The bill, which failed to pass in committee (23-61), aims to create a dedicated funding source for pipeline incident response.

Maddy summaryHB 1335 would adjust North Dakota's homestead tax credit to lower the eligibility age from 65 to 62 for seniors, while updating income thresholds. It would provide a full tax reduction (up to $9,000) for qualifying residents aged 62+ or permanently disabled with income under $70,000, and a partial reduction (up to $4,500) for those earning $70,000-$100,000. The bill requires applicants to submit a verified income statement, with the exemption applying to primary residences but not special assessments. It would take effect for property taxes starting in 2025. The bill was introduced in January 2025 but failed to pass the legislature in February 2025.

Relating to eliminating foreclosure of tax liens for residential property and collection of delinquent real property and special assessment taxes; to amend and reenact sections 40‑25‑03, 57‑02‑08.9, 57‑02‑08.10, 57‑20‑26, and 57‑22‑22, subsection 1 of section 57‑38.3‑02, sections 57‑45‑12, 61‑01‑21, 61‑09‑15, 61‑16.1‑31, 61‑24.8‑40, and 61‑35‑87, relating to the primary residence credit, setoff of income tax refunds for payment of delinquent real property and special assessment taxes, and eliminating foreclosure of tax liens for primary residential property; to provide an effective date; to provide an expiration date; and to declare an emergency.

Relating to the definition of human being and person as the terms relate to the offenses of murder and assault, and civil actions for death caused by wrongful acts.

Maddy summaryHB 1585 requires North Dakota peace officers (such as police and sheriffs) to report individuals they reasonably believe are in the U.S. illegally to U.S. immigration authorities. Officers must use a designated tip line or online form as soon as possible after forming this belief. Violating this requirement would be classified as an infraction, not a criminal offense. The bill failed to pass in the legislature on February 7, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2320 would exempt carbon dioxide pipelines (and associated equipment) from property taxes during construction and for the first ten years after operation. It applies to pipelines built after 1996 used for transporting carbon dioxide for geologic storage or oil/gas recovery, but excludes interstate pipelines entering North Dakota. The exemption covers the pipeline itself (not the land) and would take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024. This bill directly affects companies building or operating CO2 pipelines within North Dakota for these specific purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 1273 would prohibit North Dakota cities, counties, and the state from adopting policies, orders, or ordinances that restrict individual speech - including those related to hate crimes. The bill states that any such local policy would be invalid and cannot be overridden by city or county home rule charters. It directly affects municipal governments and local regulations by blocking restrictions on speech at the community level. The law would take effect if passed, making speech-limiting local rules unenforceable.

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.

Maddy summarySB 2388 would allow human-use ivermectin (a medication approved by the FDA for parasitic infections) to be sold without a prescription in North Dakota. This change would directly affect pharmacies, consumers seeking the medication, and healthcare providers by removing the current requirement for a doctor's prescription. The bill proposes creating a new law in North Dakota's code that explicitly permits over-the-counter sales of ivermectin for human use. It does not address medical use, safety, or other forms of ivermectin, focusing solely on changing pharmacy access rules.