Rep. Scott Louser

Relating to the enforcement process for the North Dakota ethics commission; and to repeal sections 54‑66‑06, 54‑66‑07, and 54‑66‑09 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to complaints filed with the North Dakota ethics commission.

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 summarySB 2349 would require North Dakota executive agencies and the Supreme Court to submit proposed bills to the Legislative Council by November 1st each even-numbered year, rather than introducing them directly. The bill mandates that the Legislative Management review these drafts by November 20th to determine if they contain a "substantial policy change" (a significant alteration to existing law). If the Management does not deem a bill to involve such a change, it is considered formally introduced. This is a procedural bill focused on the legislative process, not policy content, and it failed to pass the Senate in February 2025 (17 yeas, 30 nays).

Maddy summaryHB 1356 modifies North Dakota's open records law to clarify what legislative records cannot be disclosed under public access rules. It protects personal communications between lawmakers and the legislative council, legislative work product, and private phone records from disclosure. However, it specifically allows disclosure of bill draft or resolution requests made by legislators to their caucus leaders. The bill directly affects legislators and legislative staff by defining boundaries for sharing internal legislative communications.

Maddy summaryHB 1399 amends North Dakota law to set witness compensation at $25 per day for civil or criminal court appearances (excluding municipal court) and requires mileage reimbursement at the same rate paid to state employees. It limits criminal case witness expenses to $30,000 per county every two years, with the attorney general covering prosecution witnesses and the legal aid commission covering indigent defense witnesses. Prisoners cannot be paid as witnesses under this bill. The law also allows counties exceeding the funding cap to share unused funds with other counties, subject to attorney general approval.

Relating to the certification and sale of assistance animals; to amend and reenact sections 25‑13‑01.1 and 47‑16‑07.5 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to definitions associated with assistance animals and disability documentation for a service or assistance animal in a rental dwelling; and to provide a penalty.

Relating to step therapy protocols; to provide for a report to the legislative assembly; to provide for application; and to provide an expiration date.

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 2182 streamlines how North Dakota state agencies can amend or repeal administrative rules by allowing direct agreement between the agency and the Administrative Rules Committee, bypassing standard public comment and review processes. It directly affects state agencies that create rules and the committee responsible for reviewing them. The key provision (Section 6) permits agencies to change rules through committee agreement without following full adoption requirements, though the committee must reconsider the change at a future meeting if requested by the agency or public. This bill does not change the rules themselves but alters the process for modifying them.

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.