Sen. Don Schaible

Maddy summaryHB 1509 amends North Dakota's Century Code (section 4.1-09-19) to clarify procedures for oilseed producers seeking refunds of assessments paid to the oilseed council. Producers must submit a refund request within 60 days of payment and provide assessment records within 90 days after one year, triggering a 30-day refund processing window by the council. The bill requires the council to provide a refund form online and sets a $5 minimum refund threshold. It does not change the assessment amount or create new policies, only standardizing the refund process for affected producers.

Maddy summarySB 2263 allocates $500,000 for school districts to fund training grants focused on implementing "mastery frameworks" in education. This system requires students to master specific skills before advancing, and the bill provides grants for school district teams (including at least one administrator and, if available, an instructional coach) to develop and share these frameworks. Each team can receive up to $25,000 for staff stipends during dedicated training time (limited to ten days beyond regular contracts), with priority given to teams that have completed approved leadership training. The funding is one-time and intended for the 2025-2027 biennium, specifically to support schools in creating and scaling these instructional approaches across North Dakota.

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.

Relating to the determination of state aid payments, state aid minimum local effort, the protection of taxpayers and taxing districts, voter approval of excess levies in school districts, school district levies, and information displayed on property tax statements; to repeal sections 15.1‑27‑04.3, 15.1‑27‑15.1, and 15.1‑27‑20.2 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to adjustments to state aid payments, isolated school district transition payments, and taxable valuation impact on state aid; and to provide an effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 1550 would create a program where the Bank of North Dakota guarantees loans for constructing or renovating nursing and basic care facilities. The Bank would administer the program, establish a special reserve fund (using up to $100 million from a state strategic fund), and reimburse lenders if borrowers default. This directly affects nursing and basic care facilities seeking financing for facility upgrades or new construction.

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.

Relating to the creation of districts, district commission member nomination and election procedures, the costs of elections of district representative commission members, and the referral of cattle assessments; to amend and reenact sections 4.1‑03‑01, 4.1‑03‑02, 4.1‑03‑03, 4.1‑03‑04, 4.1‑03‑12, and 4.1‑03‑17 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the definition of a cattle industry representative, the election and terms of members to the North Dakota beef commission, commission vacancies, and requiring livestock auction markets and livestock dealers to forward names of cattle sellers, and the refund of assessments; to provide a penalty; and to provide an effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 1358 proposes creating a new legal framework for public charter schools in North Dakota. It would require the state education official to develop application processes, review charter requests, set annual limits (12 schools for 2025-26, increasing to 15 later), and manage funding based on student enrollment. The bill mandates charter schools to follow state assessments, prohibits charging tuition or licensing to others, and requires community representation on school boards. It also specifies that charter schools would receive state per-student funding but not local tax revenue, and would be eligible for federal funding.

Relating to the creation of districts, district commission member nomination and election procedures, and the costs of elections of district representative commission members; to amend and reenact sections 4.1‑03‑01, 4.1‑03‑02, 4.1‑03‑03, and 4.1‑03‑04 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the definition of a cattle industry representative, the election and terms of members to the North Dakota beef commission, commission vacancies, and requiring livestock auction markets and livestock dealers to forward names of cattle sellers; to provide a penalty; and to provide an effective date.

Maddy summarySB 2148 amends North Dakota law to change how reimbursement costs for abandoned livestock (called "estray") are handled. It requires that any reimbursement paid to owners for caring for estray livestock must first be deducted from the sale proceeds of the animal. Any remaining funds after this reimbursement must then be sent to the North Dakota Stockmen's Association Fund, managed by the state treasurer. The bill directly affects livestock owners and the Stockmen's Association, altering the financial flow from estray sales.