Rep. Larry Klemin

Maddy summarySB 2288 allows North Dakota veterans organizations to use up to 20% of their quarterly net profits from approved charitable gaming events (like raffles or bingo) to cover costs for food, beverages (including alcohol), and operating their club. It specifically permits one club per organization and applies only to expenses directly tied to that club's operations. The bill changes existing law to clarify how veterans groups can fund their social facilities using revenue from their charitable activities. This policy directly affects licensed veterans organizations in North Dakota that host charitable gaming events.

Maddy summarySB 2205 creates a dedicated "charitable gaming operating fund" in North Dakota's state treasury to manage all taxes, fines, and penalties collected from charitable gaming activities (like bingo or raffles run by nonprofits). The bill requires quarterly allocations: $75,000 to the gambling disorder prevention and treatment fund, and 5% of total funds to cities and counties based on taxes collected from local games (with a minimum $200 threshold for payments). It also mandates that any excess funds remaining after covering administrative costs be transferred to the state's general fund every odd-numbered year. This bill directly affects how charitable gaming revenue is distributed to state programs and local governments.

Maddy summarySB 2250 amends North Dakota law to triple damages for intentional or reckless harm to timber, trees, or underwood on another person's property. For willful or wanton injuries (intentional or reckless acts), victims now receive three times the actual damage value, unless the trespass was accidental, the person mistakenly believed the land was theirs, or highway workers removed wood for road projects. Negligent (accidental) damage still only requires compensation for the actual loss. This law directly affects landowners whose timber is intentionally damaged and those who cause such damage. The bill became law on March 24, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 1175 revises the membership rules, appointment terms, and operational procedures for North Dakota's Commission on Uniform State Laws. It clarifies that most members (appointed by the governor) serve four-year terms starting after presidential elections, specifies that legislative members are appointed by legislative leadership, and updates reimbursement rules for expenses. The commission, which promotes consistent state laws (like commercial or family law models) across jurisdictions, must still meet annually and advise the legislature on uniform legislation. This procedural bill does not create new policies but refines how the existing commission functions.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 1224 simplifies the process for inheriting small estates in North Dakota by allowing claimants to collect assets using a sworn affidavit instead of court-appointed probate. It directly affects individuals inheriting property from a deceased person when the total estate value (minus debts) is under $510,000. The bill requires a 30-day wait after death, an affidavit confirming the estate size and no pending court proceedings, and allows debtors or transfer agents to release assets directly to the claimant. This eliminates the need for formal probate court involvement for qualifying small estates.

Relating to the creation of the North Dakota Ireland trade commission; to provide for a legislative management report; and to provide an expiration date.

Maddy summarySB 2211 establishes a program to recruit and retain attorneys in underserved rural areas of North Dakota. It allows counties with 16,500 or fewer residents or municipalities with 5,000 or fewer residents to apply for participation. Eligible attorneys must commit to practicing full-time in a participating area for five years to receive a $45,000 incentive, paid in five annual installments (35% from the local government, 15% from bar associations, and 50% from the state). The program requires repayment if attorneys leave early and prohibits participation in other similar state or federal programs.

Maddy summarySB 2164 amends North Dakota law to clarify when financial institutions may share customer information with the North Dakota Protection and Advocacy Project. It specifically permits disclosure to this project for investigating abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of individuals with disabilities under Chapter 25-01.3, while making clear financial institutions are not required to investigate or report such issues. The bill ensures any disclosure remains limited to what's necessary for the investigation and adheres to existing confidentiality rules.