Sen. Jose Castaneda

Maddy summaryHCR 3026 is a symbolic resolution passed by the North Dakota legislature urging the U.S. Congress and President to pursue diplomatic talks for Greenland’s peaceful annexation as a U.S. territory. It cites Greenland’s strategic Arctic location, natural resources, and existing U.S.-Greenland cooperation (like Thule Air Base) as justification, though Greenland is currently an autonomous territory within Denmark. The resolution requests diplomatic engagement with Greenland and Denmark to explore voluntary integration while respecting Greenlandic rights. It failed to advance in the North Dakota Senate (36-54 vote against adoption) and has no legal effect, as it is a non-binding request for federal action.

Maddy summarySB 2361 prohibits foreign adversaries (as defined by federal regulations) from purchasing or owning real property in North Dakota after July 31, 2023, directly affecting foreign governments and businesses meeting the "foreign adversary" criteria. The bill bans county and city governments from approving development agreements with such entities and requires foreign adversaries violating the law to divest all property within 36 months, with civil penalties up to $25,000 for non-compliance. Exceptions apply to entities registered for seven+ years, approved by the Committee on Foreign Investment (CFIUS), and holding active national security agreements with the federal government. The law includes enforcement mechanisms allowing state attorneys to initiate court actions for divestment and public sales of non-compliant property. This bill was introduced in 2025 but failed to pass in February 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2187 sets new daily reimbursement rates for state employees traveling within North Dakota, with tiered rates based on time of day (e.g., $9 for 6 a.m.-12 p.m., $22 for 6 p.m.-12 a.m.). It caps lodging expenses at 90% of U.S. General Services Administration rates and establishes monthly reimbursement limits for legislators tied to these daily rates. The bill directly affects state employees and legislative members who incur travel costs for work-related duties. These changes amend specific sections of North Dakota’s Century Code to standardize and limit reimbursement amounts for lodging and travel expenses.

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.

Maddy summarySB 2266 provides $36,318 in one-time funding from North Dakota's state disaster relief fund to the Private Investigation and Security Board. The grant covers costs the board incurred due to an unlawful protest related to a pipeline. Funding is authorized from the bill's effective date through June 30, 2025. The bill declares an emergency to expedite this temporary appropriation for the specified purpose.

Relating to the definition of human being and person as the terms relate to the offenses of murder and assault, and civil actions for death caused by wrongful acts.

Relating to the priority of liens; to amend and reenact sections 47‑18‑01, 47‑18‑04, 47‑18‑18, and 57‑28‑03 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the homestead exemption, declaration of a homestead, and the contents of a tax lien.

Maddy summarySB 2170 would create a North Dakota scholarship program for military reserve members attending college. It would cover full tuition at state-funded institutions or the average tuition at private schools for eligible applicants who are active reserve members (army, navy, marine corps, air force, coast guard, or space force), enrolled full-time in degree programs, without a bachelor's degree, and not previously receiving certain other military education benefits. The scholarship would be awarded regardless of financial need, with recipients limited to 48 eligibility units (equivalent to 4 years of full-time study). Applicants would need to apply for federal military education aid first, and the program would allow military call-ups to pause studies without academic penalty.

Maddy summaryHB 1585 requires North Dakota peace officers (such as police and sheriffs) to report individuals they reasonably believe are in the U.S. illegally to U.S. immigration authorities. Officers must use a designated tip line or online form as soon as possible after forming this belief. Violating this requirement would be classified as an infraction, not a criminal offense. The bill failed to pass in the legislature on February 7, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1502 would limit North Dakota's state general fund budget growth to a maximum of 3% per two-year budget cycle, unless a two-thirds vote of both legislative chambers approves a higher increase. The bill allows unused portions of the 3% allowance to be carried forward for up to three budget cycles to exceed the limit later. It directly affects the state budget process by imposing a spending cap on the legislature's annual budget decisions. This procedural bill, if enacted, would establish a new rule in the state code governing how much the state can spend from its general fund each biennium.