Rep. Jay Fisher

Maddy summaryHB 1268 would require human service zones in North Dakota to mandate drug testing for parents whose drug use contributed to a child's out-of-home placement (e.g., foster care). Parents would need to pass a test before resuming unsupervised visits with their child, with additional testing allowed for safety planning. The bill excludes marijuana from this requirement and allocates $100,000 from the general fund for testing costs during the 2025-2027 biennium. This bill failed to pass in the legislature (6-39 vote) and remains a proposed measure, not current law.

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 summaryHB 1131 allows North Dakota farms to sell raw milk directly to consumers for personal use but prohibits selling it to wholesalers, retail stores, or donating it. It specifically bans raw milk sales involving interstate commerce or mass distribution, restricting transactions to direct farm-to-consumer sales within the state. The bill exempts these direct sales from other dairy regulations in North Dakota law, including chapters covering dairy product standards and food safety. This law directly affects dairy farms seeking to sell raw milk products while clarifying legal boundaries for such transactions.

Relating to a pilot program to provide grants to schools that provide instruction in a foreign language to students in kindergarten through grade three; and to provide an appropriation.

Relating to the authority to transact business associated with video livestock auction markets; and to repeal sections 4.1‑28‑03 and 4.1‑28‑04 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to licensing and fees for video livestock auction market representatives.

Maddy summarySB 2350 would amend North Dakota's open records law to keep public employees' performance and discipline records confidential for three years or until employment ends, whichever comes first. This change directly affects state and local government employees whose personnel files contain these records, making them exempt from public disclosure requests. The bill specifies that such records remain confidential unless part of an internal investigation (exempt for up to 180 days) or needed by law enforcement for hiring. It also clarifies that other personal information in personnel files, like medical details or home addresses, remains exempt under existing law.

Maddy summaryHB 1453 would ban North Dakota state and local governments from engaging with "natural asset companies" - businesses that manage natural resources (like forests or water) to generate environmental benefits. The bill prohibits selling or leasing state-owned land to these companies, investing public funds in them, and allows lawsuits to reclaim land if violations occur. It would also prevent natural asset companies from operating in North Dakota by blocking their registration, business licenses, and any contracts with state entities. This directly affects state agencies, political subdivisions, and public fund managers, but does not impact private citizens or non-governmental activities.

Relating to a property tax exemption for certain agricultural land upon which an easement has been granted to the United States; and to provide an effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 1240 would require auto insurance companies in North Dakota to offer policies with separate coverage for repairing or replacing damaged auto glass, distinct from standard comprehensive or collision coverage. This directly affects insurance providers writing auto policies and drivers who purchase comprehensive or collision insurance. The key provision mandates that any such glass coverage must include its own separate deductible, not shared with other policy deductibles. The bill aimed to make glass repairs more affordable by preventing drivers from having to meet the full deductible for other car damage when only the glass is broken.

Maddy summaryHB 1187 creates a legal lien on fire insurance proceeds for debris removal after a total property loss. It directly affects property owners with fire insurance claims and local governments (cities or counties) in North Dakota. The bill requires insurers to notify owners and local auditors within 10 days of a total loss, allowing cities/counties to claim a lien equal to the greater of $5,000 or 10% of the policy’s real property coverage. The lien must be filed within 30 days and applies only to debris removal costs, not personal property or temporary housing payments. Local governments must release the lien once remediation is complete or insurance pays the claim.