Sen. Keith Boehm

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 summaryThis bill would require oil and gas operators in North Dakota to restore land disturbed by their activities (like well sites, pipelines, and facilities) as close as possible to its original condition before disturbance. Key provisions include mandating the preservation and documented use of suitable plant growth material from the site for reclamation, requiring a pre-disturbance meeting with the state commission to plan this, and needing commission approval before land disturbance begins. The commission could also waive reclamation requirements after decommissioning with proper documentation. The bill does not apply to properly reclaimed pits or abandoned pipelines.

Maddy summaryHB 1141 would prohibit North Dakota government employees and officials from using public property (such as vehicles, buildings, or equipment) or public services (like employee time during work hours) for political activities. It defines "political purpose" broadly to include campaign ads, candidate endorsements, or using terms like "vote for" near elections, while exempting bona fide news coverage or public office duties. Violations could result in personal liability for officials or complaints filed with the ethics commission, which may refer criminal cases to prosecutors. The bill aims to prevent misuse of public resources for political gain during election periods.

Maddy summaryHB 1593 would require websites and online platforms (excluding news organizations) to verify users are 18+ before accessing sexual material deemed harmful to minors. It defines such material as content appealing to prurient interests, depicting sexual acts, or lacking literary/artistic value for minors, and mandates "reasonable age verification" methods like ID checks. Platforms failing this verification could face civil lawsuits from parents or individuals whose data was improperly retained, seeking damages, injunctions, or attorney fees. The bill explicitly excludes news-gathering organizations and internet service providers from liability for merely hosting content they don’t create. The bill failed to pass in the North Dakota legislature on February 17, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1242 would establish a legal presumption that shared parenting (joint decisionmaking on major issues like education and health, plus approximately equal time with each parent) serves children's best interests in custody cases. This presumption applies unless a court finds specific exceptions, such as evidence of child harm, domestic violence involving serious injury or weapons, or sexual abuse. The bill requires courts to document specific reasons when overriding this presumption and mandates supervised parenting time for abusive parents in domestic violence cases. It directly affects parents in custody disputes and North Dakota courts handling parental rights decisions.

Maddy summarySB 2303 would create an education savings account program in North Dakota, using state funds to help eligible families pay for approved educational expenses. Eligible students include K-12 residents who qualify for public school, with funds deposited by the Bank of North Dakota (80% of per-pupil funding). Parents would receive these funds for approved expenses like tuition at participating private schools, approved tutoring, textbooks, college costs, or educational technology, but must agree not to enroll children in public schools. The program requires participating schools to meet safety and nondiscrimination standards, and unused funds carry forward annually.

Maddy summaryHB 1456 would establish a framework for certified chaplains in North Dakota public schools, allowing school districts to hire or volunteer certified chaplains (defined as those certified by national/state organizations or endorsed by religious groups) to provide support to students, staff, or parents. The bill requires background checks for all chaplains, prohibits individuals required to register as sex offenders from serving, and protects chaplains from liability unless actions were maliciously intended to harm. It allocates $500,000 from the state general fund for 2025-2027 to cover chaplain salaries, training, oversight, and program evaluation, with districts limited to $200,000 per school. The bill directly affects public school districts, chaplains, and students/staff seeking spiritual support, while exempting chaplains from standard education licensing requirements.

Maddy summarySB 2179 would require licensed motor vehicle fuel and special fuels dealers in North Dakota to pay an inspection fee of one-fortieth of one cent per gallon on gasoline, kerosene, tractor fuel, heating oil, and diesel sold within the state. Dealers must submit this fee monthly with their sales reports to the tax commissioner by the 25th of each month. The collected funds would be sent to the Department of Environmental Quality to support its fuel inspection program, as specified in the bill's provisions. This bill aimed to update the fee structure for the state's fuel inspection program under North Dakota Century Code section 23.1-13-16.

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.