north dakota legislature

Bill Would Reduce Penalties For Small Amounts of Marijuana in North Dakota

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — A hearing is held on a bill that would lower penalties for marijuana possession. The bipartisan bill would lower the fine from $1,500 to $150 for those caught in possession of less than a half-ounce of marijuana. It would also reduce the penalty from an infraction to a non-criminal citation. North Dakota States Attorneys and North…

High school transfer rules questioned in North Dakota bill testimony

Kambree Draper of Bismarck speaks during a legislative committee hearing on high school sports eligibility on Feb. 11, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Parents of North Dakota high school athletes described how they had to let school administrators walk through the home they had just moved into, as well as the home they had moved…

Bill supports North Dakota landowners caught in costly legal battles

Sen. Jeff Magrum, R-Hazelton, talks to landowners Jan. 30, 2025, at the Capitol. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Sen. Jeff Magrum has not had much success backing bills that seek to protect landowner rights and curb the use of eminent domain and the development of carbon pipelines. But Magrum, a Republican from Hazelton, got strong backing…

Lawmakers vote down 6 bills to limit carbon capture in North Dakota

Rep. SuAnn Olson, R-Baldwin, speaks during a House floor session on Feb. 14, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Members of the North Dakota House on Friday showed their commitment to pipelines and energy development, voting down six bills that would have taxed or put guard rails on the emerging carbon capture industry. Rep. Jeremy Olson,…

Resolution on ‘Kingship of Jesus Christ’ given Do-Not-Pass recommendation

BISMARCK, N.D. — North Dakota legislators heard testimony Thursday on a concurrent resolution that would proclaim Jesus Christ’s kingship in North Dakota. The concurrent resolution says that “North Dakota acknowledge the Kingship of Jesus Christ over all the world in order for the state to receive the “blessings” of liberty, discipline, peace, and harmony. It was introduced by embattled Republican…

House defeats bill to display Ten Commandments in North Dakota public schools, colleges

The Ten Commandments are displayed on a monument near the Civic Center in Fargo, North Dakota, on Jan. 14, 2025. North Dakota House members voted no Wednesday to requiring Ten Commandments to be displayed in public schools. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The North Dakota House of Representatives voted down a bill Wednesday that would have…

Abortion, reproductive rights bills rejected in North Dakota House

Rep. Lori VanWinkle, R-Minot, speaks about abortion on the House floor on Feb. 12, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Four bills related to abortion and reproductive rights failed Wednesday in the North Dakota House. A so-called personhood bill would have allowed women who get abortions to be charged with murder. Two others sought to protect…

Ten Commandments in ND Schools And Four Abortion & Reproductive Rights Bills Fail

North Dakota House ChamberBISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — A bill to require a display of the Ten Commandments in schools has failed in the North Dakota house with 38 voting in support and 53 against. The house also voted 77-16 against a bill to charge women who get abortions with murder. The so-called “Personhood Bill” would define a human being to…

Legislators hear testimony on bill requiring intelligent design in science classes

BISMARCK, N.D. — Legislators heard testimony on the bill requiring the teaching of intelligent design in science classes in North Dakota schools. If passed, SB 2355 would require the teaching of intelligent design alongside evolution in science classes in the state. Intelligent design argues that life is too complex to have come from evolution. There were testimonies on both sides…

North Dakota Resolution declaring pornography a public health hazard gets Do-Pass recommendation

BISMARCK, N.D. — A senate resolution in North Dakota would declare pornography as a public health hazard. Testimony was heard during a legislative hearing on SCR 4017. Those who testified in support of the resolution consisted of members of religious organizations. Some of the reasons cited for declaring porn a public health hazard were that it creates an unreasonable body…