Sen. Justin Gerhardt

Maddy summaryHCR 3008 designates Chuck Suchy as North Dakota's first state troubadour for a five-year term, recognizing his decades of work as a folk musician preserving the state's musical heritage. The resolution honors his contributions to celebrating North Dakota's agricultural roots, Native American heritage, and natural beauty through song. This is a ceremonial honor with no legal effect - it does not create new laws, alter regulations, or impact any individuals or groups beyond the symbolic recognition of Suchy's cultural work. The title follows North Dakota's tradition of honoring arts contributors, and the resolution expresses legislative appreciation for his role in advancing the state's cultural identity.

Maddy summaryHB 1132 allows North Dakota public and nonpublic schools to serve whole, two percent, and flavored pasteurized milk through bulk milk dispensers. This law overrides previous restrictions in school nutrition codes (chapters 4.1-05, 4.1-25, 4.1-26, 19-02.1, and 23-09) that previously limited milk options. School districts or approved nonpublic schools can now establish policies permitting these milk types in cafeterias. The bill directly affects school nutrition programs and student meal choices in North Dakota. It became law after the Governor signed it on March 21, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2386 amends North Dakota's cottage food law to restrict how small-scale food businesses can sell products. It prohibits interstate sales, internet/phone/mail transactions, and the sale of uninspected meat or poultry products, with specific limits for poultry: operators may slaughter no more than 1,000 birds yearly, cannot buy/sell outside their own production, and must ensure products are non-adulterated. This directly affects cottage food operators who sell homemade food, limiting their sales channels and product types. The law, signed by the governor on March 20, 2025, clarifies regulatory boundaries for these small businesses.

Maddy summarySB 2309 modifies North Dakota's rules for youth deer hunting permits by adjusting eligibility based on a hunter's age during the season. It allows youth aged 11-13 whose birthday falls during a deer season to receive either a statewide antlerless deer permit or a governor-proclaimed antlerless permit, while those aged 12-13 may apply for antelope permits. The bill requires all youth hunters under these provisions to be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or authorized adult who maintains constant visual and verbal contact. This directly affects young hunters (ages 11-13) and their adult supervisors during hunting seasons.

Maddy summaryHCR 3009 is a North Dakota legislative resolution urging the federal government to adopt trade policies that penalize countries with high pollution levels (like China and Russia) while supporting U.S. businesses and workers. It specifically calls for holding foreign producers to environmental standards comparable to U.S. domestic rules, aiming to reduce reliance on imports from high-emission countries and boost domestic manufacturing. The resolution directly affects U.S. industries and workers by advocating for trade rules that address environmental and economic concerns raised by North Dakota, including mineral supply chain vulnerabilities. It does not create new laws but formally requests federal action, with North Dakota’s legislature directing copies to U.S. leaders and its congressional delegation. The resolution focuses on policy changes to align trade with environmental accountability, without specifying exact mechanisms like tariffs.

Maddy summaryHCR 3007 is a North Dakota legislative resolution urging Congress to recognize U.S. military personnel who served in Honduras between 1981 and 1992. It specifically requests Congress issue an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (or similar recognition) for service in a hostile area during that period. The resolution directly affects veterans who served in Honduras during the 1980s and early 1990s, acknowledging their deployment in a region involving combat support and casualties. The resolution will be forwarded to congressional leaders and North Dakota's congressional delegation as a formal request for federal recognition.

Maddy summaryHB 1508 amends North Dakota's property tax assessment rules for agricultural lands. It requires local assessors to determine each parcel's agricultural value using three specific factors in order of importance: the actual land use (cropland or noncropland), soil type data, and county-approved adjustment modifiers. The bill also mandates that assessors provide written evidence if their valuation differs substantially from the county director's estimate. This change directly affects agricultural landowners and local tax assessors by standardizing how farmland is valued for property tax purposes. The policy takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Relating to term limits for the governor, lieutenant governor, statewide elected officials, and members of the legislative assembly and prior years of service for members of the legislative assembly and statewide elected officers; to repeal sections 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 of article XV of the Constitution of North Dakota, relating to cumulative term limits for members of the legislative assembly and the office of governor, and legislative authority, and initiative petition processes; and to provide an effective date.

Maddy summaryThis North Dakota concurrent resolution urges the federal government, Congress, and the North Dakota Governor to end the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program, which provides contracting preferences for certain businesses. It cites the program's alleged cost burdens on contractors and references a court case (Mid-America Milling Co. v. USDOT) finding its race-based criteria potentially unconstitutional. The resolution specifically directs North Dakota's Department of Transportation to terminate its DBE program and supports legal efforts to eliminate the program. As a symbolic resolution, it expresses legislative position but does not change current law.

Maddy summaryHB 1152 amends North Dakota's definition of "residential property" for tax purposes. It clarifies that residential property includes dwellings and associated non-commercial structures like garages or barns, but explicitly excludes hotels/motels, multi-family buildings (4+ units), and tracts with 4+ mobile homes. This change directly affects property tax assessors, homeowners, and developers by altering which properties qualify for residential tax treatment. The bill would take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024, though it failed to pass in the legislature.