north dakota legislature

Heavily amended Pledge of Allegiance bill given Do-Pass recommendation

BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota lawmakers are also looking at the Pledge of Allegiance bill that was heavily amended before passing the house. The bill originally required schools to have students recite the pledge unless they received written permission from a parent or guardian. The bill now says schools are required to give students the opportunity to recite the pledge….

ND Legislature looks to make punishment for DUI on drugs the same as alcohol DUIs

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — People accused of hurting or killing someone while driving on drugs could have the same enhanced penalties as people who drive drunk. The bill in the North Dakota Legislature says if you kill someone while driving drunk or high, prosecutors could charge you with criminal vehicular homicide. Serious injury cases would be charged with felony criminal…

Senate lawmakers weigh questions of fairness in North Dakota property tax debate

Rep. Robin Weisz, R-Hurdsfield, testifies in favor of a property tax reform bill to a Senate committee on March 11, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Members of a Senate committee debated meaningful versus equitable property tax reform during hearings for two bills that would drastically affect how property tax is collected in the state. House…

North Dakota Office of Legal Immigration proposes rebranding itself as Office of Global Talent

Katie Ralston Howe, director of workforce development for the North Dakota Department of Commerce, delivers remarks Aug. 21, 2024, during a Global Talent Summit at the Heritage Center. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The North Dakota Office of Legal Immigration – which some lawmakers wanted to eliminate – seeks a name change to better reflect the…

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…