Rep. Jayme Davis

Maddy summaryHB 1536 allocates $1.5 million to North Dakota's Department of Public Instruction to develop and implement a K-12 Native American history curriculum across all public schools. The funding is divided: $600,000 for curriculum development with tribal collaboration, $300,000 for teacher training, $500,000 for educational materials, and $100,000 for oversight. It requires a tribal advisory committee and mandates equitable resource distribution, especially for rural and underfunded schools. The bill also requires a 2026 progress report to the legislature on implementation and effectiveness.

Maddy summaryHB 1433 would create North Dakota's dementia response program within the Department of Health, administered by a dedicated state dementia coordinator. The program requires developing and updating an Alzheimer's/dementia state plan every three years through a work group including people living with dementia, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and advocacy organizations. It also mandates collecting dementia-related data via existing state systems and launching a statewide public awareness campaign to reduce stigma and promote early detection. The bill allocates $250,000 for the program and coordinator position over the 2025-2027 biennium.

Maddy summarySB 2343 prohibits beekeepers from placing hives within 0.5 miles of state or federal highways in North Dakota. It requires the agriculture commissioner to investigate complaints, direct beekeepers to remove hives within 48 hours if violations are confirmed, and confiscate equipment if not removed or if the beekeeper is unknown. Beekeepers would be responsible for all enforcement costs. The bill directly affects commercial and hobbyist beekeepers operating near highways.

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 summarySB 2283 requires agricultural landowners to notify water resource boards and downstream neighbors before installing subsurface drainage systems covering less than 80 acres. It mandates specific installation standards (like 25-foot setbacks from drains, erosion controls, and pump shutdowns during floods) and creates a 30-day objection period for neighbors. If objections are filed, the system owner must apply for a permit; otherwise, mediation is required before lawsuits over drainage damage can proceed. Violations would be punishable as infractions. The bill applies only to agricultural drainage systems and excludes privately owned water bodies.

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.

Relating to Indian child welfare; to amend and reenact section 27‑20.3‑18 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to reasonable efforts to prevent removal; to repeal section 27‑20.3‑19 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to Indian child welfare; and to provide for a legislative management study.