Sen. Brad Bekkedahl

Maddy summaryHB 1161 creates a state-funded pool to cover salaries for vacant full-time staff positions at North Dakota's public colleges and universities. Institutions must transfer unused funding for vacant positions (as of December 1 of the prior even year) to a central pool annually. Institutions can then request allocations from this pool to fill vacancies or hire temporary staff, but only if they prove no other federal or external funds are available. The bill requires the state board to report on vacancy rates, fund usage, and savings from unfilled positions.

Maddy summarySCR 4024 is a concurrent resolution directing North Dakota's Legislative Management to study using existing funds from the Capitol building fund to construct a new legislative office building. It addresses current facility issues including inadequate meeting spaces, unsafe parking conditions, and the lack of dedicated work areas for legislators and staff. The resolution specifies the study should examine building a legislative office building on Capitol grounds, potentially incorporating modern committee rooms and office space, while utilizing the fund's remaining balance (over $5 million) that has been partially used for other purposes. This resolution does not authorize construction but requires Legislative Management to report findings and any needed legislation to the next legislative session.

Maddy summarySB 2211 establishes a program to recruit and retain attorneys in underserved rural areas of North Dakota. It allows counties with 16,500 or fewer residents or municipalities with 5,000 or fewer residents to apply for participation. Eligible attorneys must commit to practicing full-time in a participating area for five years to receive a $45,000 incentive, paid in five annual installments (35% from the local government, 15% from bar associations, and 50% from the state). The program requires repayment if attorneys leave early and prohibits participation in other similar state or federal programs.

Relating to the maintenance or vacating of streets and alleys in a dissolved city and the care of property in a dissolved city; and to amend and reenact section 40‑53.1‑07 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to dissolution, care of property, management, and disposition of funds in a dissolved city.

Relating to a pilot program to provide grants to schools that provide instruction in a foreign language to students in kindergarten through grade three; and to provide an appropriation.

Maddy summarySB 2227 amends North Dakota's public employees retirement system to require most new state and local government employees to enroll in the retirement plan within their first month of employment, unless they formally waive participation in writing for past service. It also allows retired employees who return to work (with a different employer or in specific unclassified state positions) to permanently opt out of future contributions and retirement plan participation. The law applies retroactively to December 14, 2024, and is declared an emergency measure. This change directly affects public employees, retirees returning to work, and participating government employers.

Maddy summaryHB 1471 requires dental benefit plans in North Dakota to offer payment methods other than credit cards to dentists, preventing plans from requiring credit card payments only. It mandates that plans notify dentists about any fees for specific payment methods, explain available options, and provide clear instructions for selecting fee-free alternatives. The bill also prohibits charging transmission fees for electronic payments unless the dentist consents, and restricts plans from sharing credit card company profits to cover claim payments. This directly affects dental benefit plans, their vendors, and health maintenance organizations when paying dentists in North Dakota.

Maddy summaryHCR 3007 is a North Dakota legislative resolution urging Congress to recognize U.S. military personnel who served in Honduras between 1981 and 1992. It specifically requests Congress issue an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (or similar recognition) for service in a hostile area during that period. The resolution directly affects veterans who served in Honduras during the 1980s and early 1990s, acknowledging their deployment in a region involving combat support and casualties. The resolution will be forwarded to congressional leaders and North Dakota's congressional delegation as a formal request for federal recognition.

Relating to the primary residence credit; to provide for application; to provide a retroactive effective date; to provide an expiration date; and to declare an emergency.

Maddy summaryHB 1038 appropriates $15 million to replace state-owned uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) that don’t meet federal security requirements under the National Defense Authorization Act and American Security Drone Act of 2023. It requires state agencies to return outdated UAVs to the uncrewed aircraft systems test site for disposal or sale, while providing new compliant UAVs, staff training, and a centralized registration system for agencies. The bill also allocates $11 million for a state radar data pathfinder program to integrate federal radar data with state UAV operations, enhance security protocols, and improve safety and infrastructure. Both programs require reports by June 2026 detailing implementation, costs, and compliance needs. The bill directly affects state agencies using UAVs and aims to ensure federal regulatory compliance.