Sen. Bob Paulson

Relating to military sacrifice number plates; and to amend and reenact section 39‑04‑10.3 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to personalized plates.

Maddy summarySB 2242, now law after being signed by the Governor on March 20, 2025, directs North Dakota's legislative management to conduct a study of state higher education institutions during the 2025-26 legislative interim. The study will examine efficiency, dual-credit programs, tuition costs, uniform transcripts, credit transfers, and potential consolidation or satellite campuses. It does not change current policies but will produce recommendations for future legislation to address these areas. The study committee will include bipartisan legislative members and representatives from higher education, K-12, and key industries.

Maddy summaryHB 1471 requires dental benefit plans in North Dakota to offer payment methods other than credit cards to dentists, preventing plans from requiring credit card payments only. It mandates that plans notify dentists about any fees for specific payment methods, explain available options, and provide clear instructions for selecting fee-free alternatives. The bill also prohibits charging transmission fees for electronic payments unless the dentist consents, and restricts plans from sharing credit card company profits to cover claim payments. This directly affects dental benefit plans, their vendors, and health maintenance organizations when paying dentists in North Dakota.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution urges Congress to provide medical coverage for hyperbaric oxygen therapy for veterans with traumatic brain injuries or PTSD. It directly affects veterans who currently rely on long-term medications for symptoms, as the resolution highlights hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a promising treatment alternative. The resolution does not create new policy but formally requests federal action to cover this specific therapy under veterans' healthcare. It was adopted by North Dakota's legislature and sent to Congress for consideration.

Maddy summaryHB 1183 requires North Dakota's state treasurer to invest at least 1% of general fund money in gold or silver bullion, coins, or approved investment instruments, held directly or through a qualified custodian. It mandates the treasurer to develop management policies for these investments and conduct a study on their costs and benefits - including inflation and economic stability impacts - reporting findings to lawmakers by June 2026. The investment rule would take effect on July 1, 2027, while the study must be completed during the 2025-26 legislative interim. The bill directly affects how the state treasurer manages state funds and requires specific reporting on gold/silver investments.

Maddy summarySB 2285 would require North Dakota courts to interpret state laws, regulations, and rules without deferring to administrative agencies' interpretations. It directly affects state agencies (like environmental or health departments) that create regulations and courts that review those regulations. The bill's key provision mandates that after applying standard interpretation rules, courts must resolve any remaining ambiguity against increasing agency authority. The bill failed to pass in the Senate in March 2025, with 31 votes in favor and 57 against.

Maddy summaryHB 1474 proposes a new tax based on the square footage of residential properties in North Dakota, replacing the traditional ad valorem tax for many homeowners. It directly affects residential property owners (including single-family homes, condos, and townhouses), local governments that collect taxes, and businesses installing solar/wind/geothermal systems through new tax credits. Key provisions include establishing a per-square-foot tax rate on both land and structures, modifying existing property tax credit rules for energy-efficient installations, and requiring county boards to adjust tax assessments under new valuation requirements. The bill also repeals an existing exemption for new residential properties and sets limits on how much local governments can levy through this new tax structure. The bill failed to pass in the North Dakota legislature on March 11, 2025, with 5 votes in favor and 42 against.

Maddy summarySB 2373 amends North Dakota law to clarify definitions and regulate gaming at alcohol-serving venues. It defines "alcoholic beverage establishment" to exclude liquor stores, gas stations, and grocery stores, and restricts gaming to locations where alcohol is served during permitted hours. Key provisions limit organizations to 15 gaming sites, require 21+ age access for most games (with specific 18+ exceptions for bingo), cap electronic pull tab devices at 10 per site, and mandate physical separation for concurrent raffles. The bill directly affects licensed gaming organizations and alcohol establishments operating games like bingo, poker, or sports pools.

Relating to specie legal tender, the taxation of specie legal tender, and United States central bank digital currencies; to amend and reenact section 41‑01‑09 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the definition of United States central bank digital currency.

Relating to possession of firearms or dangerous weapons at a publicly owned or operated building; and to amend and reenact section 62.1‑02‑05 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to possession of firearms or dangerous weapons at a public gathering.