Sen. Scott Meyer

Maddy summaryHB 1129 appropriates $1.25 million for a study on student attendance and absenteeism in North Dakota public schools (K-12) during the 2025-2027 biennium. The bill requires the superintendent of public instruction, with input from a research team, to analyze existing data, identify strategies used in high-attendance districts, and develop recommendations to address chronic absenteeism. It mandates a legislative report with findings and proposed legislation by September 1, 2026. The bill failed to pass on February 25, 2025, with 2 votes in favor and 88 against.

Maddy summaryHB 1296 would require individuals carrying concealed firearms (with a valid license) to show their physical license, a digital image of the license, or a valid driver's license/nondriver ID card to law enforcement upon request during any contact, including traffic stops. Violating this requirement would result in a $20 noncriminal fee, not criminal penalties. The bill directly affects concealed carry license holders in North Dakota by mandating immediate presentation of identification during officer interactions. It amends North Dakota Century Code section 62.1-04-04 to clarify these presentation obligations and penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 1290 amends North Dakota's gaming commission rules to prohibit requiring electronic pull tab games to close at the end of a quarter. Instead, it allows the commission to mandate quarterly reports for these games. The bill directly affects state gaming regulators and businesses operating electronic pull tab systems. Key provisions prevent mandatory game closures while maintaining reporting requirements to ensure transparency and compliance. This change modifies existing rules under North Dakota Century Code section 53-06.1-01.1, subsection 4.

Maddy summaryHB 1465 amends North Dakota's gaming tax code (Section 53-06.1-12) to reduce tax rates for licensed gaming organizations, such as casinos and racetracks. It lowers the top tax rate from 12% to 6% for businesses with quarterly revenue exceeding $250,000, while maintaining a 1% rate for revenue under $150,000 and a $500 flat fee plus 6% for revenue between $150,000 and $250,000. The bill directly affects gaming businesses by changing how their tax burden is calculated based on quarterly revenue. This represents a concrete policy change to reduce taxes for higher-revenue gaming operators. The bill was introduced in 2025 but failed to pass in February 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2376 amends North Dakota law to specifically authorize gaming operations on three defined parcels of land in Grand Forks County under the existing tribal-state compact with the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. The bill lists precise land descriptions (south five and one-half acres, west ninety-six acres, and north fifty-eight and one-half acres of specific sections) where gaming may occur, provided the Secretary of the Interior approves under federal law. This is a technical amendment to clarify permitted locations within the existing compact, not a new policy. The bill failed to pass in the legislature on February 14, 2025, with 15 votes in favor and 29 against.

Relating to a legacy earnings fund; to amend and reenact subsection 1 of section 21‑10‑06 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to funds invested by the state investment board; to repeal sections 21‑10‑12 and 21‑10‑13 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to legacy fund definitions and a legacy earnings fund; to provide an effective date; and to declare an emergency.

Maddy summaryHB 1335 would adjust North Dakota's homestead tax credit to lower the eligibility age from 65 to 62 for seniors, while updating income thresholds. It would provide a full tax reduction (up to $9,000) for qualifying residents aged 62+ or permanently disabled with income under $70,000, and a partial reduction (up to $4,500) for those earning $70,000-$100,000. The bill requires applicants to submit a verified income statement, with the exemption applying to primary residences but not special assessments. It would take effect for property taxes starting in 2025. The bill was introduced in January 2025 but failed to pass the legislature in February 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1221 proposes allocating $24 million from North Dakota's general fund to the state board of higher education for workforce education innovation funds, to be distributed to eligible institutions during the 2025-2027 biennium. The bill provides direct funding for programs aimed at enhancing workforce training and education initiatives, primarily affecting community colleges and vocational schools eligible to receive these grants. It does not create new programs but establishes a funding mechanism for existing or planned workforce development efforts. The bill failed to pass in the legislature on February 11, 2025, with no support (0 yeas, 91 nays).

Maddy summaryHB 1321 amends North Dakota's medical marijuana laws to adjust possession and purchase limits for registered patients and caregivers. It increases the standard monthly purchase limit from 2.5 ounces to 3 ounces (85.05 grams) of smokable cannabis and raises the maximum possession limit from 3 ounces to 4.5 ounces (127.57 grams), with higher "enhanced" limits of 9 ounces (255.15 grams) for patients with cancer-related conditions. The bill also updates registry identification cards to include designations for enhanced limits and requires THC concentration limits of 9,000 milligrams per month for all products. Additionally, it modifies renewal fees for compassion centers, capping them at $90,000 for dispensaries and $110,000 for manufacturing facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 1548 allocates $10 million in one-time state funding to the Department of Health and Human Services for a fitness center grant at the Life Skills and Transition Center. The bill specifically provides funds to construct a fitness center that will directly benefit residents of this facility. The grant is intended for the 2025-2027 biennium and comes from the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund. This is a funding measure focused on physical health infrastructure for a specific state-run residential program.