north dakota legislature

Bathroom bill would make schools less safe, opponents, LGBTQ advocates testify

Faye Seidler, a suicide prevention advocate, testifies March 24, 2025, against a bill that would require state entities to only refer to individuals by their sex assigned at birth in official documentation. (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Schools don’t see all-gender bathrooms as a problem, West Fargo Public Schools Business Manager Levi Bachmeier told lawmakers Monday…

Lawmakers debate 3-cent gas tax increase, hike in EV registration fee

A sticker opposing a possible 3-cent increase to North Dakota’s gas tax is displayed on a Bismarck gas pump on March 24, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — North Dakota lawmakers are weighing the first increase to the gas tax in 20 years and an increased electric vehicle fee, with the new tax revenue earmarked for…

Bill seeks to strengthen North Dakota law against false political ads

Sen. Sean Cleary, R-Bismarck, introduces a floor amendment on false political advertisements on March 19, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) —A bill that expands North Dakota law against false political advertisements via social media, text messages or phone calls passed the Senate on Wednesday. House Bill 1204, sponsored by Rep. Mike Schatz, R-New England, passed on…

North Dakota House committee advances library content bill

Alyssa Klossgaard, of Bismarck, reads in front of the Bismarck Veterans Memorial Library on March 1, 2025, to express her opposition to a bill that would force libraries to remove and relocate content considered to be obscene. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A North Dakota House committee on Tuesday gave support to a controversial bill to…

Alteration to term limits narrowly passes North Dakota Senate

Burleigh County residents fill out ballots during the first day of early voting for the North Dakota primary at the Bismarck Event Center on June 5, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A North Dakota Senate resolution to make changes to the term limits rules in the state constitution passed by a single vote Monday. If Senate…

Grand Forks County Agrees To Help With Prison Overcrowding at Expanded Correctional Center

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (KVRR) — Grand Forks County Commission has approved a letter of intent to help relieve overcrowding at North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Unused space in the new expansion at Grand Forks County Correctional Center will provide jail beds to help with overcrowded prisons. Gov. Kelly Armstrong welcomes the news and said in a statement that…

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,…