Rep. Collette Brown

Relating to establishing a grant program for the education of nonbeneficiary students attending tribally controlled schools; and to amend and reenact section 54‑40.2‑02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to authorization for public agencies and tribes to enter an agreement.

Maddy summaryHB 1521 would exempt enrolled members of federally recognized North Dakota tribes residing on tribal reservations from the state's motor vehicle excise tax. To qualify, individuals must provide proof of tribal enrollment and live within reservation boundaries (primary residence on reservation is required). The exemption applies retroactively to vehicle purchases after June 30, 2023, and the bill declares an emergency. This change directly affects tribal members living on reservations by removing a state tax on their vehicles.

Maddy summaryHB 1506 would have exempted enrolled members of federally recognized North Dakota tribes from the state's motor vehicle excise tax when purchasing a vehicle within the state, but only if their primary residence is on a reservation or in an Indian service area. The bill specifically required that the vehicle be acquired within North Dakota and that the tribal member reside on tribal land to qualify for the exemption. It was scheduled to take effect for tax events after June 30, 2025. The bill was introduced in January 2025 but was withdrawn from consideration on January 27, 2025, and is not currently law.

Maddy summaryHB 1461 would have created a state-funded tribal health care coordination fund to support tribal governments in North Dakota. The bill required the state to distribute funds to tribes based on their federal care coordination funding, with strict rules: funds must cover specific public health services (capping capital construction at 50% until 2025, then 35%), and tribes would need to submit annual reports and biennial audits by independent auditors. The state would withhold funds for late reports or misuse, and could resume payments once compliance was verified. This bill was introduced in January 2025 but withdrawn before further consideration.