north dakota legislature

North Dakota considers bill aimed at sexually explicit deepfakes

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — Another bill being considered in North Dakota would make sexually explicit deepfakes illegal. Under the new bill, those caught making, possessing, or distributing such deepfakes with the intent to deceive people guilty of a class A misdemeanor. People found guilty could potentially also be registered as a sex offender, and could also be forced to pay…

Homeschooling community asks for amendment to education savings account bill

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — A North Dakota bill to create education savings accounts for all K-12 students has some surprising opposition. Some homeschoolers want the bill amended as it would make them susceptible to regulations where they are currently exempt. They say SB 2400 adds to many more regulations to homeschooled families. The education savings accounts could be used by…

North Dakota Senate Rejects Bill To Invest in Gold and Silver

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — A bill that would have required one percent of money in North Dakota’s state treasury to be invested in gold and silver bullion has been rejected. The Senate voted 13-34, killing the House bill sponsored by Republican Rep. Daniel Johnston of Kathryn. He says gold has appreciated greatly in recent decades while the U.S. dollar loses…

Senate committee advances property tax package supported by Gov. Armstrong

Gov. Kelly Armstrong speaks in support of a property tax bill during a Senate committee hearing on March 17, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A property tax bill backed by Gov. Kelly Armstrong received a unanimous do pass recommendation Monday immediately following a Senate committee hearing. House Bill 1176, sponsored by Rep. Mike Nathe, R-Bismarck,…

Legislators amend resolution declaring pornography a public health hazard

BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota lawmakers amended a resolution recognizing pornography as a health hazard. The resolution had already passed in the senate. The original resolution claimed that being exposed to sexually explicit content poses health risks and that early exposure leads to low self-esteem and body image disorders. It also said that porn can lead to brain development complications…

N.D. Senate Rejects Bill To Prevent State Funds From Supporting Prairie Public, Funding Still Uncertain

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — A bill that would have prevented state funds from supporting Prairie Public broadcasting has been defeated in the senate on a vote of 6-41. In a social media post, Prairie Public wrote, “We’re deeply grateful to everyone who submitted testimony and contacted your senators and representatives – your voice truly made a difference!”. While it is…

North Dakota dairy farm plans to add processing; bill would add state incentives

A cow feeds inside the barn at the North Dakota State University dairy research facility in Fargo on March 14, 2025. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — North Dakota’s struggling dairy industry could get a boost from a new milk processing plant and state incentives for more processing. As North Dakota House Agriculture Committee members heard testimony…

North Dakota lawmakers consider bill that would seal & erase criminal court records

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) – A bill making its way through the North Dakota Legislature would make it easier to block public access to criminal court records. Jack McDonald, an attorney who represents the North Dakota Broadcasters Association, says in certain cases, defendants could file a petition to seal the file and get it erased it from the public. McDonald says…

North Dakota sees uptick in oil wells that qualify for tax exemption

Oil well pump jacks operate near Killdeer, North Dakota on Feb. 1, 2024. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Nearly half of North Dakota oil wells now qualify for a tax exemption as low-producing wells, contributing to a reduction in tax revenue projections for the upcoming budget cycle. But even if technology advancements lead to higher oil…

Political ads may have to add disclaimer if AI is used to impersonate real people

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — Makers of political ads could be forced to run a disclaimer any time they use artificial intelligence to create impersonations of people. The bill in the North Dakota legislature covers all video, audio, and still images impersonating someone with the use of AI. Producers must use the words, “This content generated by Artificial Intelligence”. The bill…