Sen. Michelle Axtman

Maddy summarySCR 4019 is a concurrent resolution directing North Dakota's Legislative Management to study reading and math proficiency rates among students with disabilities and evaluate current educational policies, programs, and funding. It requires examining systemic barriers like insufficient special education funding, teacher shortages, and rural-urban disparities, while gathering input from parents, educators, and advocacy groups. The study must analyze performance data, identify gaps in policy effectiveness, and review successful models from other states. Its goal is to produce recommendations for reducing achievement disparities and improving resource allocation, with findings to be reported to the next legislative session. This resolution does not change existing laws but initiates a review to inform future policy decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1177 amends North Dakota's public employees retirement system definition to include correctional officers who are enrolled in, but have not yet completed, a state-approved training course. This change directly affects correctional facility workers in North Dakota who are currently in training for their roles. The key provision expands eligibility for retirement benefits to these trainees by adding them to the official definition of "correctional officer" under the retirement system code. The bill does not change benefit amounts or eligibility for already certified officers.

Maddy summaryHB 1547 creates a special education funding study committee to examine current funding models in North Dakota during the 2025-26 legislative interim. The committee, composed of legislators, school administrators, special education directors, and business managers, will review funding approaches including student contracts, high-cost student support, residential placements, and Medicaid reimbursement. It must submit findings and legislative recommendations to the 70th legislative assembly by the end of the interim period. This bill directly affects North Dakota's public school systems and special education programs by initiating a formal review of how funding is structured.

Relating to military sacrifice number plates; and to amend and reenact section 39‑04‑10.3 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to personalized plates.

Maddy summarySB 2223 creates North Dakota's adoption of the Dietitian Licensure Compact, enabling licensed dietitians from participating states to practice across state lines without obtaining separate licenses in each state. This directly affects licensed dietitians seeking to work in multiple states and healthcare facilities serving patients in those states. The key mechanism establishes a "compact privilege" that functions like a license in other member states, while requiring uniform education and examination standards and allowing states to share disciplinary information. The compact aims to increase patient access to dietetic services, reduce administrative burdens for professionals and states, and maintain each state's authority to regulate practice and protect public health and safety.

Maddy summaryHCR 3007 is a North Dakota legislative resolution urging Congress to recognize U.S. military personnel who served in Honduras between 1981 and 1992. It specifically requests Congress issue an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (or similar recognition) for service in a hostile area during that period. The resolution directly affects veterans who served in Honduras during the 1980s and early 1990s, acknowledging their deployment in a region involving combat support and casualties. The resolution will be forwarded to congressional leaders and North Dakota's congressional delegation as a formal request for federal recognition.

Maddy summarySB 2145 protects employees of North Dakota's 988 suicide and crisis lifeline, 211 information helpline, and 911 systems from civil lawsuits when providing services, unless they act with willful misconduct or gross negligence. The law grants these employees immunity from claims related to their work, ensuring they can assist callers without fear of legal action for ordinary errors. This immunity does not affect existing protections for state or local government entities or their employees. The bill became law after the governor signed it on March 14, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2043 amends North Dakota law to require immediate revocation of a teaching license for educators convicted of crimes against children or sexual offenses. The bill directly affects current and future teachers who face such convictions, removing the previous requirement for a separate license review process. Key provisions change Section 15.1-13-26 of the North Dakota Century Code to mandate automatic license revocation upon conviction for these specific crimes. The law, signed by the Governor on March 14, 2025, takes effect immediately upon conviction, ensuring educators convicted of these offenses can no longer teach without further administrative delay.

Maddy summaryHB 1212 designates a specific segment of North Dakota State Highway 18 - from its intersection with Highway 5 to the Canadian border - as the "PFC. Henry Gurke Memorial Highway." The bill requires the state Department of Transportation to install signs along this route bearing the memorial name and allows acceptance of donated funds for sign placement. This is a purely ceremonial bill with no substantive policy changes, affecting only the highway signage in that corridor.

Maddy summaryHB 1038 appropriates $15 million to replace state-owned uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) that don’t meet federal security requirements under the National Defense Authorization Act and American Security Drone Act of 2023. It requires state agencies to return outdated UAVs to the uncrewed aircraft systems test site for disposal or sale, while providing new compliant UAVs, staff training, and a centralized registration system for agencies. The bill also allocates $11 million for a state radar data pathfinder program to integrate federal radar data with state UAV operations, enhance security protocols, and improve safety and infrastructure. Both programs require reports by June 2026 detailing implementation, costs, and compliance needs. The bill directly affects state agencies using UAVs and aims to ensure federal regulatory compliance.