Sen. Kristin Roers

Maddy summarySB 2293 amends specific sections of North Dakota's medical marijuana laws to update container size limits, caregiver regulations, and required documentation. It directly affects medical marijuana patients, registered caregivers, and dispensaries by changing how product quantities are measured and how caregiver relationships are verified. The bill modifies code sections 19-24.1-01 (subsections 7 and 18) and 19-24.1-03 (subdivision c) to adjust container size rules and streamline documentation processes for caregivers. These changes aim to clarify regulatory requirements without altering eligibility or medical use criteria.

Maddy summarySB 2196 amends North Dakota law to allow students with asthma or anaphylaxis to self-administer their prescribed medication (like inhalers or epinephrine auto-injectors) at school without requiring a nurse or staff member to be present. This directly affects students diagnosed with these conditions and their school staff, who must follow updated protocols. The key provision clarifies that schools must permit students to carry and use their own medication during school hours and school activities, provided it is prescribed and stored properly. The change updates existing school health policies to align with current medical guidelines for student safety.

Maddy summarySB 2134 amends the composition of North Dakota's teachers' retirement board as specified in the Century Code. The bill modifies the structure of the board that manages the teachers' retirement fund, though the exact changes (such as member count or appointment rules) are not detailed in the provided context. This bill directly affects the governance of the retirement fund, which serves public school teachers in North Dakota. Without additional specifics on the amendments, the precise mechanisms or affected parties cannot be fully described. For complete details, review the full bill text or official legislative documents.

Maddy summaryHB 1599 creates a formal state leave sharing program for permanent North Dakota state employees. It allows employees to donate accrued annual or sick leave to colleagues facing pregnancy or severe, extreme, or life-threatening medical conditions (for themselves or immediate family), requiring medical certification. The program limits donated leave to four months per year, excludes temporary or contracted staff, and mandates the Office of Management and Budget to track usage and adopt implementing rules. This policy directly affects permanent state employees needing extended leave due to qualifying health circumstances.

Maddy summaryHB 1394 amends North Dakota's licensing rules for emergency medical services (EMS) operations. It requires EMS operators to hold separate licenses for each location or operation, with exceptions allowing a single license for established substations that meet specific criteria (like sharing dispatch and bordering service areas). Operators must pay a separate license fee for each substation location. This directly affects all EMS providers in North Dakota, particularly those operating multiple sites or substations, by clarifying licensing requirements and fees. The bill does not change rules for out-of-state operators transporting patients across state lines.

Relating to use of local jails or correctional facilities for inmates sentenced to the physical custody of the department of corrections and rehabilitation.

Maddy summaryHB 1158 creates a new exemption for petition records held by North Dakota's Secretary of State. It makes records related to petitions for initiatives or referendums confidential until the Secretary either approves the petition's sufficiency under state law or 35 days pass after receiving the records. This directly affects petitioners and the Secretary of State's office by delaying public access to these documents during the initial review period. The law changes transparency rules but does not alter how petitions are submitted or processed.

Maddy summarySB 2357 proposes a legislative study to examine whether merging five separate mental health licensing boards (for psychologists, social workers, addiction counselors, counselors, and marriage/family therapists) into a single "composite board" would be feasible, beneficial, and address challenges. The bill would amend North Dakota law to create a new structure for this unified board while repealing existing statutes governing the five individual boards. This study would directly affect mental health professionals seeking or renewing licenses in these fields, as well as the state agencies managing their licensing. The bill does not create the board itself but authorizes an assessment to determine if consolidation is warranted.

Maddy summarySB 2260 updates North Dakota's geographic coordinate system definitions in state law. It formally establishes four coordinate systems: the North Dakota coordinate system of 1927 and 1983 (divided into north/south zones), the statewide North Dakota coordinate system of 2022 (one zone), and sixteen low-distortion coordinate zones for the 2022 system (e.g., "Fargo zone," "Bismarck zone"). The bill specifies how these systems must be referenced in land descriptions, such as "North Dakota coordinate system of 1983, north zone" or "Fargo zone of the North Dakota coordinate system of 2022." This procedural update primarily affects land surveyors, government agencies, and property records that rely on standardized geographic coordinates.

Relating to ownership of accounting firms by qualified plans; and to amend and reenact subsection 3 of section 10-31-04 and subsection 3 of section 43‑02.2‑06 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to minority ownership of an accounting firm.