Sen. Paul Thomas

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.

Maddy summarySB 2179 would require licensed motor vehicle fuel and special fuels dealers in North Dakota to pay an inspection fee of one-fortieth of one cent per gallon on gasoline, kerosene, tractor fuel, heating oil, and diesel sold within the state. Dealers must submit this fee monthly with their sales reports to the tax commissioner by the 25th of each month. The collected funds would be sent to the Department of Environmental Quality to support its fuel inspection program, as specified in the bill's provisions. This bill aimed to update the fee structure for the state's fuel inspection program under North Dakota Century Code section 23.1-13-16.

Maddy summaryHB 1236 amends North Dakota law to specify that hunting and fishing license fees and application fees can only fund state wildlife and fish department programs unrelated to chronic wasting disease (CWD). The bill restricts the use of these fees, ensuring they cannot support CWD management or research. It directly affects the North Dakota Game and Fish Department by altering how it allocates revenue from hunting and fishing permits. The change clarifies that existing fee revenue must be used for general department administration, not specific disease-related initiatives. The bill failed to pass in the legislature during the 2025 session.

Relating to beef commission member appointments; and to amend and reenact section 4.1‑03‑02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to applicants for membership on the beef commission.

Maddy summaryHB 1552 would limit home rule counties and cities in North Dakota to a maximum 3% sales, use, or gross receipts tax rate after June 30, 2025. It prohibits new taxes or rate increases above 3% for existing local taxes after that date, though taxes approved before July 1, 2025, at higher rates could continue until their approved expiration period ended. The bill affects all counties and cities with home rule authority that levy these local taxes. It takes effect for taxable events occurring after June 30, 2025.

Relating to weight limitations for vehicles on the interstate system and weight limitations for vehicles on highways other than the interstate system.

Maddy summaryHCR 3002 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow North Dakota to authorize and regulate sports betting within the state. If approved by voters, it would amend the state constitution to permit the legislature to license and regulate sports betting on professional and college sports. All tax revenue generated from sports betting would be required to fund K-12 public schools. This change would directly affect all North Dakotans by altering the state's legal framework for gambling and directing new revenue toward public education.

Maddy summarySB 2162 would have amended North Dakota law to set a 35-mill assessment (equivalent to $0.035 per bushel) on wheat sold within the state. This fee would apply to wheat grown in North Dakota at sale, wheat delivered into the state at sale, and wheat sold through commercial channels to first purchasers in North Dakota, with the revenue collected by the wheat commission. The bill directly affects wheat producers, sellers, and buyers operating within North Dakota's agricultural market. However, the bill was withdrawn from consideration on January 13, 2025, before advancing further.