Sen. Jeff Barta

Maddy summaryHB 1102 appropriates $775,000 from North Dakota's general fund to the Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation for cybercrime resources. The funding will hire two full-time cybercrime agents and cover related equipment costs for the 2025-2027 biennium, with $161,000 designated for one-time equipment purchases. This bill directly affects police departments in northeastern North Dakota cities with at least 50,000 residents, requiring the new agents to assist those departments specifically with cybercrime prevention and detection. The measure is purely a funding allocation, not a policy change, focused on staffing and resources for a defined geographic area.

Maddy summarySB 2235 amends North Dakota law to clarify how partial rent payments are applied when a tenant pays less than the full amount due. It requires that any insufficient payment for lodging (like apartments) must first cover the outstanding rent amount, not late fees or other charges, unless the tenant specifies otherwise at the time of payment. This directly affects residential renters and landlords across North Dakota by standardizing payment priorities under rental agreements. The bill does not change rent due dates or amounts but ensures payments are applied to the core rent obligation first. The bill failed to pass in the 2025 legislative session.

Maddy summarySB 2237 would require North Dakota's labor commissioner to investigate tenant complaints about landlords violating specific housing laws (sections 47-16-20 and 47-32-02) and take disciplinary action against non-compliant landlords. The bill mandates that the labor commissioner provide landlords with written notice of alleged violations and a reasonable time to fix the issues before taking action, with notice delivered personally or via certified mail. Landlords directly affected would face potential disciplinary measures under this new process, while tenants would gain a formal channel to report housing disputes. The bill aimed to expand the labor commissioner's role from workplace safety to certain landlord-tenant enforcement, though it failed to pass in February 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2236 would have limited late fees on rental payments in North Dakota to no more than 8% of the overdue rent amount. The bill specifically applied to landlords and renters in standard residential rental agreements, capping fees for payments not made by the end of the month or the date specified in the lease. It amended North Dakota's Century Code to replace existing late fee rules with this 8% maximum. The proposal aimed to prevent excessive late charges but failed to pass the legislature in February 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1184 would allow North Dakota's Board of University and School Lands, State Investment Board, and State Treasurer to invest up to 10% of their managed funds in specific digital assets (like stablecoins or cryptocurrencies with a $500 billion+ average market cap) or precious metals (gold, platinum, or silver). The bill requires all digital asset investments to be held securely through approved custodians or exchange-traded products, with strict rules for staking or lending digital assets to avoid increasing state financial risk. It defines key terms like "stablecoin" (dollar-backed digital currency) and "secure custody solution" (requiring multi-location hardware storage and regular security audits). The policy directly affects how state investment entities manage public funds, but the bill failed to pass in January 2025 after committee review.

Relating to the consolidation of the board of hearing aid specialists and the board of examiners on audiology and speech-language pathology; and to repeal sections 43‑33‑15 and 43‑33‑17 related to the board of hearing aid specialists.

Maddy summaryHB 1240 would require auto insurance companies in North Dakota to offer policies with separate coverage for repairing or replacing damaged auto glass, distinct from standard comprehensive or collision coverage. This directly affects insurance providers writing auto policies and drivers who purchase comprehensive or collision insurance. The key provision mandates that any such glass coverage must include its own separate deductible, not shared with other policy deductibles. The bill aimed to make glass repairs more affordable by preventing drivers from having to meet the full deductible for other car damage when only the glass is broken.

Maddy summarySB 2311 proposes to establish a bioscience innovation grant program in North Dakota, providing funding to small bioscience businesses (with less than $2.5 million in annual sales and at least two employees) for innovation and commercialization. The program would require grant recipients to match up to 50% of funding and prohibit use for capital improvements, academic programming, or workforce training. It aims to support job creation for state university graduates, foster new bioscience startups, and advance technologies in areas like crop genetics, biofuels, and livestock operations. The program would be administered through a collaborative committee involving state agencies, universities, and a bioscience association.

Maddy summaryHB 1413 would create a state program to safely connect food donors (like businesses) with charities, making it easier to donate surplus food. Donors must be licensed under existing food safety rules, while charities wouldn’t need commercial kitchens or special certification but must follow local health unit food handling standards. Local health units would inspect donors, verify food handlers, and set safety rules, with donors protected from liability if following guidelines. The program would include educational resources and potential grants to support participation, aiming to reduce food waste while ensuring safety.

Maddy summarySB 2099 would require North Dakota schools to provide cardiac arrest prevention and response training to student athletes and coaches. The bill proposes creating a new section in the state's legal code mandating this education as part of athletic programs. It directly affects student athletes and coaches in public and private schools across North Dakota by establishing specific training requirements. The key provision would standardize cardiac emergency preparedness, including instruction on using automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and emergency response protocols. This policy change aims to improve safety outcomes for student athletes during sports activities.