Sen. Scott Meyer

Relating to a requirement for public school students to have the opportunity to recite the pledge of allegiance each morning and immunity for liability stemming from the recitation of the pledge of allegiance.

Maddy summarySB 2154 amends North Dakota's legal definition of "primary sector business" across three code sections to clarify which businesses qualify for economic development programs. It defines such businesses as certified entities (including corporations, LLCs, or tourism operations) that create "new wealth" through sales to out-of-state visitors or by offering previously unavailable products/services within the state. The bill explicitly includes tourism businesses in this definition while excluding production agriculture. These changes affect businesses seeking state economic development benefits, ensuring tourism operations that attract outside visitors qualify for program eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 1192 lowers the maximum value for primary prizes awarded by permitted organizations (like charities running raffles or bingo) in North Dakota from $15,000 to $8,000 per event, and reduces the annual total prize limit from $50,000 to $40,000. The bill specifically affects public-spirited organizations seeking gaming permits, requiring them to disclose how they'll use net income from these activities. It exempts raffles conducted under Chapter 20.1-08 from these limits. The law, signed by the governor in March 2025, directly changes financial parameters for nonprofit gaming operations.

Maddy summaryHB 1253 amends North Dakota law to clarify the attorney general's authority to impose fines for gaming violations. It directly affects licensed gaming organizations (including charities operating as agents), distributors, manufacturers, and authorized site owners who fail to comply with gaming rules. The bill establishes specific fine tiers: minimum $25 (up to 2% of quarterly revenue) for organizations, $100 for distributors, $500 for manufacturers, and $250 for site owners, with fines potentially replacing license suspensions or revocations. These provisions create clear, structured penalties instead of vague prior language.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 1293 creates a North Dakota program providing small, durable medallions to identify veteran status on headstones or grave markers. It directly affects National Guard and National Guard Reserve members buried outside state veterans' cemeteries who do not qualify for existing state or federal medallions. The Department of Veterans' Affairs will administer the program, issuing these medallions as a way to honor veterans' service on their existing gravesites. The bill establishes this as a new policy under North Dakota law, effective after the Governor signed it on March 14, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution urges Congress to provide medical coverage for hyperbaric oxygen therapy for veterans with traumatic brain injuries or PTSD. It directly affects veterans who currently rely on long-term medications for symptoms, as the resolution highlights hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a promising treatment alternative. The resolution does not create new policy but formally requests federal action to cover this specific therapy under veterans' healthcare. It was adopted by North Dakota's legislature and sent to Congress for consideration.

Maddy summaryHB 1474 proposes a new tax based on the square footage of residential properties in North Dakota, replacing the traditional ad valorem tax for many homeowners. It directly affects residential property owners (including single-family homes, condos, and townhouses), local governments that collect taxes, and businesses installing solar/wind/geothermal systems through new tax credits. Key provisions include establishing a per-square-foot tax rate on both land and structures, modifying existing property tax credit rules for energy-efficient installations, and requiring county boards to adjust tax assessments under new valuation requirements. The bill also repeals an existing exemption for new residential properties and sets limits on how much local governments can levy through this new tax structure. The bill failed to pass in the North Dakota legislature on March 11, 2025, with 5 votes in favor and 42 against.

Maddy summaryHB 1352 would amend North Dakota law to allow churches and places of worship to permit individuals with valid concealed firearm permits to carry weapons inside their buildings. The bill creates liability protection for churches if they permit such carry, stating they cannot be held responsible for injuries caused by authorized individuals. It specifies that churches may allow concealed carry only for people already authorized under existing concealed carry laws (like reciprocity agreements) or with the church's approval. This policy change directly affects religious institutions and individuals seeking to carry firearms in places of worship, while maintaining prohibitions on firearms for most others in these settings.