Sen. Scott Meyer

Maddy summaryHB 1523 appropriates $500,000 from the state's strategic investment fund to provide grants for ski resort infrastructure repairs in North Dakota. The bill directly affects ski resorts needing to fix damage from snow/rain, deferred maintenance, or replace equipment, but requires them to secure dollar-for-dollar matching funds from nonstate sources. Grants can cover building repairs, infrastructure improvements, and equipment purchases during the 2025-2027 biennium. This is a one-time funding measure with no additional requirements beyond the matching funds condition.

Maddy summaryHB 1402 would have amended North Dakota law to require state surplus motor vehicles to be offered first to local governments (like cities and counties) for 14 days at 30% below fair market value, before being made available to other eligible state agencies or nonprofits. This change aimed to prioritize local governments for purchasing surplus state vehicles at a discounted rate. The bill applied specifically to motor vehicles designated as surplus property under state code. The legislation was introduced in January 2025 but withdrawn in February 2025 without becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 1184 would allow North Dakota's Board of University and School Lands, State Investment Board, and State Treasurer to invest up to 10% of their managed funds in specific digital assets (like stablecoins or cryptocurrencies with a $500 billion+ average market cap) or precious metals (gold, platinum, or silver). The bill requires all digital asset investments to be held securely through approved custodians or exchange-traded products, with strict rules for staking or lending digital assets to avoid increasing state financial risk. It defines key terms like "stablecoin" (dollar-backed digital currency) and "secure custody solution" (requiring multi-location hardware storage and regular security audits). The policy directly affects how state investment entities manage public funds, but the bill failed to pass in January 2025 after committee review.

Maddy summaryHB 1552 would limit home rule counties and cities in North Dakota to a maximum 3% sales, use, or gross receipts tax rate after June 30, 2025. It prohibits new taxes or rate increases above 3% for existing local taxes after that date, though taxes approved before July 1, 2025, at higher rates could continue until their approved expiration period ended. The bill affects all counties and cities with home rule authority that levy these local taxes. It takes effect for taxable events occurring after June 30, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1271 would amend a North Dakota law to expand exceptions for when property deeds do not require a "statement of full consideration" (a document detailing the transaction's value). It specifically adds exemptions for sales involving agricultural lands under 80 acres, family or corporate affiliate transactions, estate settlements, forced sales, and nonprofit organization transfers. This change would directly affect property sellers and buyers in these specific transaction types by reducing administrative paperwork. The bill aims to streamline property transfers for these common scenarios without requiring additional documentation. (Note: The bill failed to pass in committee and on the floor.)

Maddy summaryHCR 3002 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow North Dakota to authorize and regulate sports betting within the state. If approved by voters, it would amend the state constitution to permit the legislature to license and regulate sports betting on professional and college sports. All tax revenue generated from sports betting would be required to fund K-12 public schools. This change would directly affect all North Dakotans by altering the state's legal framework for gambling and directing new revenue toward public education.

Maddy summaryHB 1101 would have classified mitragynine (the active ingredient in kratom) as a Schedule I controlled substance under North Dakota law, making it illegal to possess, sell, or distribute. This change would directly affect individuals using kratom products and businesses selling them within the state. The bill proposed amending specific sections of the North Dakota Century Code to implement this scheduling change. The legislation failed to pass in the legislature, receiving 15 votes in favor and 77 against on January 15, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2108 aimed to establish North Dakota as a member of a multi-state compact for physician assistant (PA) licensure. If passed, it would have allowed North Dakota-licensed PAs to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses, directly benefiting PAs seeking to work across state lines and patients in those states. The bill would have created a new chapter (43-17.5) in North Dakota law to implement this compact agreement. However, the bill failed to pass on January 15, 2025, with 0 votes in favor and 47 against.

Relating to income tax relief; and to provide an effective date.

Relating to the chairman and vice chairman of the legislative management; to provide for application; and to declare an emergency.