Legislation Archives - KVRR Local News

80 Mile per Hour Speed Limit Goes into Effect in North Dakota

The North Dakota Highway Patrol says it will take a week or so to get new signs put up throughout the state.

August 2, 2025

Gabriel Ostler,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – North Dakota’s interstate highway speed limit has officially been increased to 80-MPH – and the North Dakota Highway Patrol wants to make sure drivers stay safe at those higher speeds. Gov. Kelly Armstrong signed the increased speed limit bill on May 5th The bill increases the current 75 MPH speed limit to 80 MPH. It also…

School cell phone ban, legal marijuana edibles & 80 MPH on interstates go into effect August 1

Both pieces of legislation signed by Governor Armstrong don't have universal support - with opponents of the phone ban saying it cuts off students' access to communication in case of emergency, while marijuana advocates wonder why recreational consumption isn't yet legal.

July 31, 2025

Gabriel Ostler,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – It’s been a common refrain from educators and even parents frustrated at their child’s amount of screen time. Electronics are making it exceedingly difficult for kids to focus, especially in school. Thanks to HB 1160 – those distractions should be eliminated, starting on August 27 for the 2025-26 Fargo Public school year. “It’s also going to…

Sen. Cramer Helps Introduce GOLDEN DOME Act

The defense spending legislation is modeled after Israel's "Iron Dome" missile intercept network.

June 24, 2025

Gabriel Ostler,

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KVRR) – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer is one of the main creators of a defense spending bill that he helped present to the media today. The proposed legislation is called the GOLDEN DOME Act. It’s modeled after Israel’s “Iron Dome,” and is a defense strategy that President Trump asked to be implemented at the beginning of his term….

Gov. Burgum Wants Legislation To Ensure Opportunity To Recite Pledge of Allegiance

August 15, 2022

TJ Nelson,

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — Gov. Doug Burgum wants all public schools and elected governing bodies in North Dakota to have the opportunity to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. It has become an issue after Fargo’s school board voted last week to reverse course and discontinue reciting the pledge before its meetings. Board member Seth Holden said he doesn’t believe it…

Sen. Hoeven introduces legislation to fund $3 billion oil purchase for emergency reserve

The Bill was introduced by Republican Senator John Hoeven, Republican U.S. Representative Michael Burgess, and Democrat U.S. Representatives Lizzie Fletcher

April 7, 2020

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FARGO, N.D. — North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven introduced legislation that aims to fund a government purchase of oil to help boost the industry that has been hit hard by reduced demand. The bipartisan bill asks for $3 billion in funding to purchase crude oil produced in the U.S. for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. This move comes after Congress declined…

Legislature Aims to Fix Audit Law Requiring Criminal Probe

Gallion says he's not opposed to making some "adjustments'' in the law.

November 8, 2019

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BISMARCK, N.D.–North Dakota legislative leaders say they will fix laws that require criminal investigations into some audit findings that may be the result of an unintentional mistake. Republican Senate Majority Leader Rich Wardner calls it an “issue that needs to be resolved.” Wardner says the solution could be as easy as amending language within existing laws to allow for more…

Leaders Speak Out: Savanna’s Act Unanimously Passed in the Senate, Stopped in the House

The legislation is designed to improve access to crime databases and reporting missing and murdered Native Americans

December 17, 2018

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FARGO, N.D. — Just weeks after Savanna Greywind was abducted and tragically killed, Savanna’s Act was introduced to the senate. Just last week it was unanimously passed, and now it’s come to a halt in the House. Just over a year after being introduced to the Senate, Democrat and Republican senators are agreeing; they want Savanna’s Act to pass. “It…

Advocates Wear Orange for Gun Violence Awareness Day

Organizers say there can be a balance between Second Amendment rights and common sense legislation

June 2, 2018

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FARGO, N.D. — The F–M chapter of the group Moms Demand Action held their own local event to take part in National Gun Violence Awareness Day. People wore orange to honor the lives lost to gun violence and to promote safety. “Gun control isn’t what we’re after. We’re after safety for our children. Whether it be in schools, people in our…

Sen. Heitkamp Introduces “Savanna’s Act” for Protection of Native American Women

She was the pregnant Fargo woman who was killed and whose baby was taken

October 5, 2017

TJ Nelson,

FARGO, ND — Federal legislation aimed at protecting Native American women and girls from violence, abduction and human trafficking is named for Savanna Greywind. She was the pregnant Fargo woman who was killed and whose baby was taken. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp introduced Savanna’s Act in Washington, D.C. The legislation would improve tribal access to certain federal crime information databases. Heitkamp…

New GOP Health Care Proposal Could Mean $1 Billion Loss in North Dakota Federal Funding

The bill would shift health care money and power from Washington to states

September 21, 2017

TJ Nelson,

NORTH DAKOTA — North Dakota could lose $1 billion in federal funding for health insurance over seven years. That is the finding of a report on the new Republican bill in Congress to replace Obamacare. The bill would shift health care money and power from Washington to states. President Trump and Republican Senate leaders are trying to rally 50…