north dakota legislature

North Dakota border cities expect confusion if time change bill passes

FARGO (North Dakota Monitor) – What if North Dakotans quit changing their clocks twice a year? “Chaos might be too strong a word,” said Charley Johnson, president and CEO of the Fargo-Moorhead Convention and Visitors Bureau. “But certainly confusing.” As most Americans prepare to spring forward into daylight saving time this weekend, the North Dakota Legislature is considering a bill…

Fargo lawmaker calls for hearing on state impact of federal funding cuts

Sen. Tim Mathern, R-Fargo, speaks on the Senate floor during the organizational session on Dec. 4, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A Fargo state lawmaker is calling on North Dakota legislators to hold a special hearing focused on state impacts from federal funding cuts. “We are hearing from our citizens. We are hearing from our…

Senate bill would automatically revoke teacher’s licenses after conviction, regardless of jurisdiction

BISMARCK, N.D. — The House Education Committee gave a do-pass recommendation on a bill that would bar anyone convicted of a crime against a child or sexual offense from holding a teacher’s license. SB 2043 adds crimes like indecent exposure, sexual extortion, and luring minors over the internet to offenses that require an immediate revocation of a teacher’s license when…

North Dakota House committee discusses resolution to add minimum wage raise to 2026 ballot

BISMARCK, N.D. — Work has resumed at the legislature in Bismarck after crossover week when bills move from one body to the other. Lawmakers are considering a resolution to add an article to the state’s constitution regarding a minimum wage. The state currently follows the federal minimum wage, which is $7.25 per hour. The resolution would add a minimum wage…

Multiple bills honor North Dakota veterans this session

The POW/MIA flag waves in the wind outside of the Capitol in Bismarck on Feb. 27, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota News Cooperative) — The North Dakota Legislature is handling a number of bills to honor veterans this session, including seven to name roads and bridges after fallen North Dakota soldiers, and others that highlight current military…

Rural North Dakota issues a priority for new group of lawmakers

BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Sen. Janne Myrdal likes to point out that everything North Dakota exports, from energy to food, starts from a gravel road. That’s why she and other rural lawmakers banded together this session to share information on how they can better serve their communities. The rural caucus, about 50 lawmakers from both chambers, amounting up…

Working with FAA expands North Dakota commercial drone prospects

Collin Newberry, operations manager, at the Northern Plains UAS Test Site, prepares a commercial drone for launching during test procedures on the Vantis system. (Photo by Kacy Meinecke, courtesy of Northern Plains UAS Test Site)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota News Cooperative) — A freshly approved $11 million legislative appropriation to integrate North Dakota’s unmanned aerial system into Federal Aviation Administration airspace…

Petition resubmitted for North Dakota ballot measure focused on transparency, ethics

oters cast ballots at the Hillside Aquatic Complex in Bismarck on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024. The secretary of state is reviewing a petition for a constitutional ballot measure that could go to voters next year if it’s approved. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A petition for a ballot measure related to transparency of lawmaker records,…

Lawmakers expand free school meals in North Dakota after rejecting larger proposal

FARGO, ND – JAN. 22, 2025: Students eating lunch at Carl Ben Eielson Middle School in Fargo on January 22, 2025. Free school meal advocates in North Dakota are calling on the state legislature to prioritize permanent funding to pay for meals.Students eat lunch at Carl Ben Eielson Middle School in Fargo on Jan. 22, 2025. (Dan Koeck/For the North…

North Dakota House sends 3 property tax reform bills to Senate

Rep. Scott Louser, R-Minot, speaks on the House floor on Feb. 25, 2025, about his property tax proposal. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The North Dakota House of Representatives on Tuesday afternoon approved three sweeping packages aimed at reducing property taxes. All three incorporate some form of cap on year-over-year tax increases and would be funded…