Sen. Mark Enget

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 1325 proposes to amend North Dakota's wildlife code by requiring the state wildlife director to publicly maintain and make available for four years all positive chronic wasting disease (CWD) test results. This includes specific documentation like microscopic slides of the prion and necropsy reports. The bill directly affects the state wildlife agency, which would be responsible for implementing this public record-keeping requirement. It does not change wildlife management practices but mandates transparency about CWD detections, which are critical for monitoring a fatal neurological disease affecting deer, elk, and moose. The bill failed to pass in the 2025 legislative session.

Relating to the prohibition of, investigation of, and penalty for approving a development agreement in the state for a foreign adversary; to amend and reenact sections 11‑11‑70 and 40‑05‑26 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the investigation of and penalty for approving a development agreement in the state for a foreign adversary; and to provide a penalty.

Maddy summaryHCR 3026 is a symbolic resolution passed by the North Dakota legislature urging the U.S. Congress and President to pursue diplomatic talks for Greenland’s peaceful annexation as a U.S. territory. It cites Greenland’s strategic Arctic location, natural resources, and existing U.S.-Greenland cooperation (like Thule Air Base) as justification, though Greenland is currently an autonomous territory within Denmark. The resolution requests diplomatic engagement with Greenland and Denmark to explore voluntary integration while respecting Greenlandic rights. It failed to advance in the North Dakota Senate (36-54 vote against adoption) and has no legal effect, as it is a non-binding request for federal action.

Maddy summarySB 2361 prohibits foreign adversaries (as defined by federal regulations) from purchasing or owning real property in North Dakota after July 31, 2023, directly affecting foreign governments and businesses meeting the "foreign adversary" criteria. The bill bans county and city governments from approving development agreements with such entities and requires foreign adversaries violating the law to divest all property within 36 months, with civil penalties up to $25,000 for non-compliance. Exceptions apply to entities registered for seven+ years, approved by the Committee on Foreign Investment (CFIUS), and holding active national security agreements with the federal government. The law includes enforcement mechanisms allowing state attorneys to initiate court actions for divestment and public sales of non-compliant property. This bill was introduced in 2025 but failed to pass in February 2025.

Relating to the evaluation of economic development tax incentives, the carbon dioxide capture and injection use tax exemption, and the ad valorem property tax exemption for carbon dioxide capture equipment used for enhanced oil recovery and secure geologic storage; to repeal sections 57‑06‑17.1, 57‑06‑17.2, and 57‑39.2‑04.14 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the carbon dioxide pipeline exemption, payments in lieu of taxes for certain carbon dioxide pipeline property, and the carbon dioxide capture and injection sales tax exemption; and to provide an effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 1145 requires all North Dakota state colleges and public school classrooms to display the full text of the Ten Commandments on a poster or framed document measuring at least 11x14 inches, centered with a large readable font. The bill mandates this display in every classroom and building under state educational institutions and school districts, specifying the exact wording and physical requirements. It allows schools to use public funds or donated funds to purchase these displays. The bill was introduced in January 2025 but failed to pass during its second reading on February 12, 2025, with 38 votes in favor and 53 against.

Maddy summaryHB 1236 amends North Dakota law to specify that hunting and fishing license fees and application fees can only fund state wildlife and fish department programs unrelated to chronic wasting disease (CWD). The bill restricts the use of these fees, ensuring they cannot support CWD management or research. It directly affects the North Dakota Game and Fish Department by altering how it allocates revenue from hunting and fishing permits. The change clarifies that existing fee revenue must be used for general department administration, not specific disease-related initiatives. The bill failed to pass in the legislature during the 2025 session.

Maddy summaryHB 1405 would require defendants in civil court cases to serve their written responses (answers) to complaints within 60 days of being served with the complaint. This procedural change would directly affect defendants in North Dakota civil lawsuits by establishing a uniform deadline for responses, overriding any existing time limits under other laws.

Maddy summaryHB 1309 would require North Dakota state agencies to verify that companies they contract with do not boycott energy (including fossil fuels), mining, production agriculture, or firearms industries. Companies must confirm they aren’t refusing business with entities in these sectors to penalize them, as defined by the bill. This applies to for-profit businesses with 10+ employees and $100,000+ in value. Exceptions exist if services aren’t commercially available or if the contract conflicts with legal duties. The bill is pending, having failed committee review in January 2025.