Sen. Bob Paulson

Maddy summaryHB 1609 would create an alternative path to take the North Dakota bar exam, allowing applicants without a law degree to qualify by completing 2,000 hours of supervised legal work under a licensed attorney or tribal advocate over five years, plus holding a four-year college degree. The program requires supervising attorneys to verify hours through written affidavits, and applicants could also qualify by serving as a state legislator for four or more years. This would directly affect aspiring lawyers seeking bar admission without traditional law school credentials. The bill, which failed to pass in February 2025, aims to expand access to legal licensure through practical experience.

Maddy summaryNorth Dakota's SCR 4011 is a state resolution urging Congress to call a constitutional convention to propose term limits for U.S. Congress members. It specifically seeks to limit House members to a set number of terms and Senate members to a set number of terms, aiming to increase accountability to constituents. The resolution is part of a broader state-level effort to gather enough state applications (two-thirds of states) under Article V of the Constitution to trigger such a convention. It does not impose term limits itself but requests Congress initiate the process for amending the Constitution.

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 summarySB 2392 would prohibit public colleges and universities in North Dakota from requiring certain "prohibited submissions" (like mandatory statements about personal identity characteristics) or "prohibited training" (such as mandatory diversity workshops) as conditions for employment, admission, graduation, or state financial aid. The bill defines prohibited practices as those promoting differential treatment based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or other personal identity characteristics, including policies labeled "diversity, equity, and inclusion" (DEI). Exceptions apply for requirements under federal law, and institutions must report any federal-mandated submissions to the state board of higher education. The law would take effect in 2026, with the board conducting biennial compliance reviews.

Relating to prohibiting a political subdivision from seizing personal property without notice; to amend and reenact section 12.1‑23‑02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to theft of property; and to provide a penalty.

Maddy summarySB 2350 would amend North Dakota's open records law to keep public employees' performance and discipline records confidential for three years or until employment ends, whichever comes first. This change directly affects state and local government employees whose personnel files contain these records, making them exempt from public disclosure requests. The bill specifies that such records remain confidential unless part of an internal investigation (exempt for up to 180 days) or needed by law enforcement for hiring. It also clarifies that other personal information in personnel files, like medical details or home addresses, remains exempt under existing law.

Relating to transfers from the charitable gaming operating fund to the gambling disorder prevention and treatment fund; and to authorize a full-time equivalent position for the department of health and human services.

Maddy summaryHB 1519 requires North Dakota's Department of Health to compile and maintain individual death and vaccination records from the state's immunization and death registration systems. It mandates tracking specific details like vaccine type, date of vaccination, sex, race, and death dates within 720 days post-vaccination. The department must publish quarterly public reports on its website showing death rates for each vaccine type administered to over 20,000 people in the previous quarter, broken down by demographic groups and time intervals after vaccination. This bill directly affects the state health department's data management and public reporting processes.

Maddy summaryHB 1513 amends North Dakota law to require municipalities to notify property owners when sidewalks need construction, repair, or rebuilding. It mandates that notices must specify the required work, its character, and give owners at least two years and six months to complete it at their own expense, with work needing approval from the street commissioner or city engineer. Notices must be delivered via certified mail, in-person, or posting on vacant land, and if owners fail to act, the municipality will complete the work and bill the owner through a sidewalk fund. This directly affects property owners whose lots benefit from sidewalk improvements.

Relating to parental rights and responsibilities, equal residential responsibility, and the presumption of fitness; to amend and reenact sections 14‑09‑00.1, 14‑09‑06.2, and 14‑09‑07 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the definition of equal decisionmaking responsibility and equal parenting time, the best interests of the child factors, and the residence of a child; and to provide for application.