Sen. Justin Gerhardt

Maddy summaryHB 1453 would ban North Dakota state and local governments from engaging with "natural asset companies" - businesses that manage natural resources (like forests or water) to generate environmental benefits. The bill prohibits selling or leasing state-owned land to these companies, investing public funds in them, and allows lawsuits to reclaim land if violations occur. It would also prevent natural asset companies from operating in North Dakota by blocking their registration, business licenses, and any contracts with state entities. This directly affects state agencies, political subdivisions, and public fund managers, but does not impact private citizens or non-governmental activities.

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 summarySB 2319 would change how the North Dakota legislature schedules additional sessions after its regular January meeting. It allows legislative management to reconvene the assembly for three consecutive days each month (Friday through Sunday, except December) plus up to seven additional days annually. These sessions must stay within the constitutional limits on total session days, and the bill clarifies that the legislature must reconvene as determined by management regardless of prior adjournment motions. The bill directly affects legislative scheduling procedures but does not create new laws or policies for the public.