Rep. Scott Louser

Maddy summaryHB 1503 amends North Dakota's criminal code to update penalties for drivers who cause injury while operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. It specifically revises subsection 2 of section 39-08-01.2 in the North Dakota Century Code, adjusting the legal consequences for this offense. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of DUI-related injury incidents by establishing a new penalty structure under the amended code section. This change modifies the sentencing framework for these specific criminal violations without altering the underlying offense definition.

Relating to the structure of the state gaming commission and the administration and regulation of games of chance; to provide an appropriation; and to provide for application.

Maddy summaryHB 1583 would require political committees making independent expenditures (ads influencing elections without candidate involvement) to disclose the true source of funds for ads exceeding $200. It mandates detailed reporting of contributors giving over $1,000 during election periods, including their names, addresses, and contribution dates. The bill targets organizations spending on political ads, ensuring transparency about who funds election-related messaging. It also adds penalties for false political advertisements, though specific penalty amounts aren't detailed in the provided text. This bill focuses on increasing disclosure requirements for political spending, not on changing campaign finance limits.

Maddy summarySB 2259 repeals North Dakota Century Code section 44-04-16, which previously governed the handling of "blanks and records." This change affects entities that previously followed this specific code section, such as government offices or record-keepers. The bill’s sole mechanism is the removal of the existing legal provision from the state code, with no new requirements or provisions added. It does not alter other laws or create new obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 2377) changes North Dakota law to protect dental plan enrollees. It bars dental plans from controlling fees charged by dentists for services not covered by the plan (like routine checkups if not included in the plan). It also prevents plans from denying patients additional dental care when annual, lifetime, or frequency limits have been reached. The law directly affects dental patients and providers by ensuring they aren't restricted from accessing care when plan limits are exhausted.

Relating to use of local jails or correctional facilities for inmates sentenced to the physical custody of the department of corrections and rehabilitation.

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 1158 creates a new exemption for petition records held by North Dakota's Secretary of State. It makes records related to petitions for initiatives or referendums confidential until the Secretary either approves the petition's sufficiency under state law or 35 days pass after receiving the records. This directly affects petitioners and the Secretary of State's office by delaying public access to these documents during the initial review period. The law changes transparency rules but does not alter how petitions are submitted or processed.

Maddy summarySB 2357 proposes a legislative study to examine whether merging five separate mental health licensing boards (for psychologists, social workers, addiction counselors, counselors, and marriage/family therapists) into a single "composite board" would be feasible, beneficial, and address challenges. The bill would amend North Dakota law to create a new structure for this unified board while repealing existing statutes governing the five individual boards. This study would directly affect mental health professionals seeking or renewing licenses in these fields, as well as the state agencies managing their licensing. The bill does not create the board itself but authorizes an assessment to determine if consolidation is warranted.

Maddy summaryHB 1430 would amend North Dakota's social work regulations to allow licensed social workers to offer counseling aligned with heterosexuality or a client's biological sex without violating ethics rules. It directly affects licensed social workers in North Dakota who provide counseling to individuals questioning their sexuality or gender identity. The bill requires social workers to disclose the nature of such treatment and obtain written consent from the client or their parent/guardian before proceeding. This legislation, which failed to pass in March 2025, focuses on defining ethical boundaries for specific counseling approaches under professional regulation.