Sen. David Clemens

Maddy summarySB 2364 clarifies jurisdiction rules for financial assets held through brokers (e.g., stocks, bonds). It requires brokers to hold assets for investors (not as their own property) and establishes that investors’ claims take priority over broker creditors when assets are insufficient, unless creditors control the assets. This affects investors, brokers, and creditors in securities transactions. The bill standardizes which state laws apply to these transactions by defining "issuer’s jurisdiction" and "securities intermediary’s jurisdiction."

Maddy summaryHB 1409 defines "interest" in North Dakota court cases to include both legal and equitable claims, requiring courts to interpret it broadly. It specifies that an "interested party" in any civil or criminal case includes anyone whose property, rights, or benefits may be affected by a court decision. The bill establishes a clear standard for who can participate in legal proceedings based on their stake in the outcome. As a procedural definition bill, it does not create new policies or directly affect specific groups, but rather clarifies court eligibility standards. The bill failed to pass in the North Dakota legislature in February 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1569 requires North Dakota public school districts to provide sex trafficking awareness and prevention instruction to all students at least once before graduating high school, starting in the 2027-28 school year. The bill mandates that curriculum must cover victim demographics, accurate definitions of trafficking, reporting systems, risk identification, and recognizing grooming signs, while including medically and legally accurate information. School districts must use curriculum approved by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the instruction may be integrated into existing courses starting in grade seven. The bill directly affects all K-12 students and school districts in North Dakota through mandatory curriculum implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 1519 requires North Dakota's Department of Health to compile and maintain individual death and vaccination records from the state's immunization and death registration systems. It mandates tracking specific details like vaccine type, date of vaccination, sex, race, and death dates within 720 days post-vaccination. The department must publish quarterly public reports on its website showing death rates for each vaccine type administered to over 20,000 people in the previous quarter, broken down by demographic groups and time intervals after vaccination. This bill directly affects the state health department's data management and public reporting processes.

Relating to the installation of smart meters; and to amend and reenact section 49‑04.1‑01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to unauthorized metering.

Maddy summaryHB 1593 would require websites and online platforms (excluding news organizations) to verify users are 18+ before accessing sexual material deemed harmful to minors. It defines such material as content appealing to prurient interests, depicting sexual acts, or lacking literary/artistic value for minors, and mandates "reasonable age verification" methods like ID checks. Platforms failing this verification could face civil lawsuits from parents or individuals whose data was improperly retained, seeking damages, injunctions, or attorney fees. The bill explicitly excludes news-gathering organizations and internet service providers from liability for merely hosting content they don’t create. The bill failed to pass in the North Dakota legislature on February 17, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1456 would establish a framework for certified chaplains in North Dakota public schools, allowing school districts to hire or volunteer certified chaplains (defined as those certified by national/state organizations or endorsed by religious groups) to provide support to students, staff, or parents. The bill requires background checks for all chaplains, prohibits individuals required to register as sex offenders from serving, and protects chaplains from liability unless actions were maliciously intended to harm. It allocates $500,000 from the state general fund for 2025-2027 to cover chaplain salaries, training, oversight, and program evaluation, with districts limited to $200,000 per school. The bill directly affects public school districts, chaplains, and students/staff seeking spiritual support, while exempting chaplains from standard education licensing requirements.

Relating to a prohibition on direct air carbon dioxide capture projects; to amend and reenact section 38‑08‑21 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the authority of the industrial commission; to provide for application; and to provide an expiration date.

Maddy summarySB 2301 would adjust North Dakota's homestead tax credit for qualifying seniors and permanently disabled residents. It changes income eligibility thresholds to 325% of federal poverty guidelines (up from $40,000) and increases the maximum credit from $9,000 to $13,500 based on household size. The bill also clarifies that the credit continues if a recipient resides in a care facility (like a nursing home) without renting their homestead. This would directly affect older adults and disabled residents meeting income limits, providing relief on property taxes for their primary homes. The proposed changes would take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Relating to the definition of human being and person as the terms relate to the offenses of murder and assault, and civil actions for death caused by wrongful acts.