Sen. Bob Paulson

Maddy summaryHB 1243 would require insurers to let vehicle owners choose whether to keep their car after it’s deemed a total loss (where repair costs exceed value) or let the insurer take it. The bill also prohibits insurers from charging owners extra fees to return the vehicle following a total loss determination. This directly affects North Dakota drivers with insurance policies covering physical damage who experience a total-loss accident. The bill aims to simplify ownership options and eliminate unexpected costs for policyholders in these situations.

Maddy summaryHB 1262 amends North Dakota law governing guardianships for incapacitated adults, directly affecting court-appointed guardians and the individuals under their care. The bill requires courts to prioritize the ward’s self-reliance, mandate strict findings of incapacity (rejecting age or medical diagnosis alone), and demand consideration of existing powers of attorney before appointing a guardian. Key provisions include limiting guardians’ authority to only necessary powers, requiring detailed asset inventories within 90 days, and establishing mandatory 5-year reviews to determine if guardianship remains necessary. The law also protects specific rights like voting, changing marital status, and retaining a driver’s license, ensuring guardianship remains the least restrictive option.

Relating to an income tax deduction for cash and noncash tips received by a food or beverage service establishment employee; and to provide an effective date.

Relating to foreign ownership of real property near military installations; to amend and reenact sections 11‑11‑70, 40‑05‑26, and 47‑01‑09 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the powers of a board of county commissioners, a board of city commissioners, and a city council regarding development by a foreign country of concern or foreign organization of concern, prohibiting ownership of real property by a foreign country of concern or a foreign organization of concern; and to provide a penalty.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow North Dakota legislators to attend out-of-state educational events without violating gift prohibitions, provided the events are objectively educational and not designed to influence legislation. It requires legislators to have a good-faith belief the event is educational (based on materials provided) and to leave immediately if they encounter unexpected lobbying efforts at the event. The exception specifically applies to events focused on education, not to activities intended to lobby. This change modifies existing ethics rules to clarify when travel-related expenses for educational purposes would not count as prohibited gifts.

Relating to an exemption for information contained in personnel records of public employees and records related to internal investigations by the department of corrections and rehabilitation.

Relating to the adoption of central standard time; and to repeal section 40‑01‑20 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to daylight saving time.

Relating to statutory provisions that restrict the location and manner in which firearms and dangerous weapons may be carried.

Relating to the publication and distribution of water resource board meeting minutes.