Rep. Scott Louser

Maddy summaryHB 1196 proposed standardizing criminal history record checks for specific applicants in North Dakota. It required individuals seeking certain jobs (like teachers, healthcare workers, foster parents, or adoption/parenting roles) to provide fingerprints and written consent for statewide and nationwide background checks, with agencies mandated to complete checks within three days. The bill applied to multiple state agencies including education boards, health departments, and foster care providers, but was withdrawn from consideration before becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 1262 amends North Dakota law governing guardianships for incapacitated adults, directly affecting court-appointed guardians and the individuals under their care. The bill requires courts to prioritize the ward’s self-reliance, mandate strict findings of incapacity (rejecting age or medical diagnosis alone), and demand consideration of existing powers of attorney before appointing a guardian. Key provisions include limiting guardians’ authority to only necessary powers, requiring detailed asset inventories within 90 days, and establishing mandatory 5-year reviews to determine if guardianship remains necessary. The law also protects specific rights like voting, changing marital status, and retaining a driver’s license, ensuring guardianship remains the least restrictive option.

Maddy summaryHCR 3002 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow North Dakota to authorize and regulate sports betting within the state. If approved by voters, it would amend the state constitution to permit the legislature to license and regulate sports betting on professional and college sports. All tax revenue generated from sports betting would be required to fund K-12 public schools. This change would directly affect all North Dakotans by altering the state's legal framework for gambling and directing new revenue toward public education.

Maddy summaryHB 1320 would prohibit creating or distributing AI-altered videos or images that falsely depict someone without their consent, with the intent to deceive. This applies to anyone sharing such "deepfake" content, including on social media or other platforms. Violations would be classified as a class A misdemeanor, potentially resulting in fines or jail time. The law specifically targets deceptive digital content meant to harm reputations or spread misinformation.

Relating to an exemption for information contained in personnel records of public employees and records related to internal investigations by the department of corrections and rehabilitation.

Relating to financial entities use of merchant codes to track firearm and ammunition-related purchases; to provide a penalty; to provide a continuing appropriation; and to provide for a legislative management study.

Relating to a special penalty for death or injury through distribution of illegal drugs and fentanyl reporting; to provide a statement of legislative intent regarding fentanyl awareness expansion; and to provide a penalty.

Relating to the power of counties and municipalities to prohibit local development by a foreign adversary; to amend and reenact section 47‑01‑09 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the prohibition on ownership of real property by a foreign adversary; to provide for a legislative management study; and to provide an expiration date.

Relating to electric vehicle charging station installation in condominiums; and to provide a penalty.