Sen. Jeff Magrum

Maddy summarySB 2352 creates a new legal provision in North Dakota law authorizing children of incarcerated individuals to reside at the Heart River Correctional Center. This bill directly affects inmates' children and the correctional center by establishing a formal process for their residence there. The key mechanism is the addition of a specific subsection to the North Dakota Century Code (section 54-23.3-04) that authorizes this arrangement. The bill does not change existing policies but provides statutory authorization for an existing practice.

Relating to the structure of the state gaming commission and the administration and regulation of games of chance; to provide an appropriation; and to provide for application.

Maddy summaryHB 1583 would require political committees making independent expenditures (ads influencing elections without candidate involvement) to disclose the true source of funds for ads exceeding $200. It mandates detailed reporting of contributors giving over $1,000 during election periods, including their names, addresses, and contribution dates. The bill targets organizations spending on political ads, ensuring transparency about who funds election-related messaging. It also adds penalties for false political advertisements, though specific penalty amounts aren't detailed in the provided text. This bill focuses on increasing disclosure requirements for political spending, not on changing campaign finance limits.

Relating to medical costs transparency for health care facilities; to amend and reenact section 26.1‑47‑02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to health care facility and preferred provider compliance with medical cost transparency requirements; and to provide a penalty.

Maddy summarySB 2321 would require government entities (such as states, cities, or public utilities) to pay property owners' legal costs if they withdraw or dismiss eminent domain cases without the owner's agreement. It specifically mandates reimbursement for attorney fees, expert witness fees, and court costs incurred during proceedings. The bill also clarifies that property owners who lose on appeal may still be ordered to pay appeal-related costs. This directly affects landowners facing government land seizures and the government agencies pursuing them.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 2317) allows townships in North Dakota that previously transferred their zoning authority to counties to regain that authority under specific conditions. It directly affects townships that had unilaterally given up zoning control to county governments. To reacquire zoning authority, a township must pass a resolution supporting the return, hold a majority vote by qualified electors in an election, adopt a new zoning ordinance, and appoint a zoning administrator. If these steps are completed, the county must accept the township's reacquisition of zoning authority. The bill proposed a formal process for townships to reclaim zoning control they had previously delegated to county governments.

Maddy summaryHB 1458 would have required North Dakota's legislative management to conduct a study on limiting the development and release of self-spreading viruses and bacteria. The study would have examined who is involved in such work, health impacts and data on adverse effects, potential enforcement measures, and possible exceptions. It was not a law but a procedural request for analysis, intended to inform future legislation. The bill failed to pass in the March 2025 legislative session (16 yeas, 29 nays) and remains inactive. No policy changes were enacted.

Maddy summarySCR 4025 is a procedural resolution directing North Dakota's Legislative Management to study all state laws for being outdated, unnecessary, or causing undue burden on citizens. It does not change any laws itself but requires a review to identify potential reforms. The resolution mandates that Legislative Management report findings and recommendations - including any needed legislation - to the next legislative session. This affects only the legislative staff conducting the study, not the public or specific laws directly. It is a non-binding step toward potential future law revisions.

Maddy summaryHCR 3019 is a ceremonial resolution passed by North Dakota's legislature to formally congratulate Donald J. Trump on his inauguration as U.S. President. It directly affects President Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and North Dakota's congressional delegation, as the resolution will be delivered to them. The resolution expresses the legislature's support for Trump's leadership, border policies, and conservative principles, citing his election victory and survival of assassination attempts. It has no policy impact beyond this symbolic gesture of recognition.

Maddy summarySCR 4029 is a procedural resolution directing North Dakota's Legislative Management to study the costs and environmental impacts of using non-native invasive plants versus native prairie plants. It requires a comparison of maintenance costs (like mowing, seeding, and pesticide use) and ecosystem effects between these plant types across state lands. The resolution does not change policy but mandates a report with findings and potential legislative recommendations for the 2025 session. This is a study request, not a law, and it failed to pass in the 2025 legislative session.