Sen. Paul Thomas

Relating to a county and township bridge fund and a legacy earnings tax relief fund; to amend and reenact section 21‑10‑13 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the legacy earnings fund; to provide a statement of legislative intent; to provide an appropriation; and to provide an expiration date.

Maddy summaryHB 1249 allocates one-time state funds for autonomous technology grants to four state agencies: $250,000 to the Attorney General for law enforcement tools (like drones for missing persons searches), $500,000 to Career and Technical Education for workforce training in oil/gas, $250,000 to Health and Human Services for rural emergency response, and $500,000 to the Agriculture Commissioner for farm technology. Each agency must establish application guidelines requiring grant recipients to certify their use of autonomous tech (e.g., drones, vehicles) aligns with the agency’s mission and provide a 1:4 matching fund ratio. Recipients must report grant usage to lawmakers during the 2025-2026 interim. The bill covers a two-year period starting July 2025, with all funding designated as one-time.

Relating to the enforcement process for the North Dakota ethics commission; and to repeal sections 54‑66‑06, 54‑66‑07, and 54‑66‑09 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to complaints filed with the North Dakota ethics commission.

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 summaryHB 1491 would have established new rules for student eligibility in North Dakota high school sports and activities. It requires the North Dakota High School Activities Association (NDHSAA) to presume no undue influence in student recruitment and allows students to verify residency using documents like utility bills or lease agreements. The bill specifically prohibits NDHSAA from demanding proof that a parent vacated a previous home and ensures students in joint custody situations gain immediate eligibility upon enrolling in a new school district after moving. These provisions aim to simplify residency verification and prevent delays for students transitioning between school districts.

Maddy summaryHB 1325 proposes to amend North Dakota's wildlife code by requiring the state wildlife director to publicly maintain and make available for four years all positive chronic wasting disease (CWD) test results. This includes specific documentation like microscopic slides of the prion and necropsy reports. The bill directly affects the state wildlife agency, which would be responsible for implementing this public record-keeping requirement. It does not change wildlife management practices but mandates transparency about CWD detections, which are critical for monitoring a fatal neurological disease affecting deer, elk, and moose. The bill failed to pass in the 2025 legislative session.

Relating to the powers of a board of county commissioners, a board of city commissioners, and a city council regarding development by a foreign country of concern or foreign organization of concern, prohibiting ownership of real property by a foreign country of concern or a foreign organization of concern, and required filings for foreign persons investing in agricultural lands; to repeal section 47‑10.1‑05 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to required filings for foreign persons investing in agricultural lands; to provide for a legislative management report; to provide a penalty; to provide a contingent effective date; and to provide an expiration date.

Maddy summaryHB 1370 clarifies the scope of administrative hearings for drivers who refuse roadside breath or oral fluid screening tests. It specifies that hearings can only review whether law enforcement had reasonable grounds to suspect impairment, whether the driver was arrested, and whether they refused the test. This affects drivers facing license revocation for refusing screening tests and ensures hearings focus strictly on these procedural issues. The bill updates existing North Dakota law (sections 39-20-05 and 39-20-14) without changing penalties for refusal.

Maddy summarySB 2185 appropriates $1 million from North Dakota's general fund for a one-time grant to replace outdated sewer and water infrastructure at Lake Metigoshe State Park and surrounding areas. The funds would be provided to a local water resource district to modernize the aging systems serving the park and adjacent communities. This grant is intended for the 2025-2027 biennium and focuses specifically on infrastructure upgrades, not policy changes. The bill directly affects park operations and nearby residents reliant on the shared sewer system.

Relating to historic horse race wagering, pari-mutuel horse racing, and the establishment of the racing commission fund; to amend and reenact sections 53‑06.2‑01, 53‑06.2‑04, 53‑06.2‑05, 53‑06.2‑06, 53‑06.2‑07, 53‑06.2‑08, 53‑06.2‑10, 53‑06.2‑10.1, and 53‑06.2‑11 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the authorization of historic horse race wagering and the elimination of simulcast dog racing under the certificate system; and to provide an effective date.