north dakota legislature

North Dakota resolution urging end to same-sex marriage advances

Rep. Bill Tveit, R-Hazen, speaks during a Jan. 27, 2025, committee hearing. On Feb. 24, 2025, Tveit advocated for a resolution urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn same-sex marriage. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The North Dakota House of Representatives passed a resolution Monday proclaiming the interpretation of marriage as between one man and one…

Changing term limits targeted in North Dakota Senate resolution

Voters participate in the primary election on June 11, 2024, at the Bismarck Event Center. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Legislators, citizens and outside proponents for term limits last week debated the legitimacy of North Dakota’s term limits law and whether the Legislature can force another statewide vote on the issue. The debate came…

Kingship of Jesus Christ Resolution Fails In North Dakota House

North Dakota House ChamberBISMARCK, N.D. (KVRRNorth Dakota Monitor) — House members vote down a concurrent resolution that would proclaim Jesus Christ’s kingship in North Dakota. The vote was 31 for the resolution with 59 against. It was introduced by embattled Republican Rep. Nico Rios of Williston who was officially denounced by the state GOP over statements he made about the…

North Dakota may offer counseling for jurors exposed to graphic images and testimony

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — North Dakota jurors who see and hear graphic images and testimony as part of a trial may be offered counseling services. HB 1047 would offer those services to jurors and alternates. They would qualify for ten hours of counseling after the trial was over if the case they sat on had to deal with violent crimes…

Bill seeks to strengthen tribal consultation on North Dakota legislation

North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission Executive Director Brad Hawk participates in a commission meeting Feb. 28, 2024, at the Capitol in Bismarck. A new bill would require the Indian Affairs Commission to consult with tribal leaders on any proposed legislation affecting tribes. (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A group of lawmakers says the state should be…

House votes to defund North Dakota public broadcasting, sends bill to Senate

Prairie Public Broadcasting’s offices in downtown Fargo. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — North Dakota members of the House on Monday voted to defund Prairie Public Broadcasting, with one lawmaker citing it as in line with federal cost-cutting. The House Appropriations Committee had recommended continuing to fund Prairie Public with $1.2 million for the biennium. But House Bill 1255, sponsored…

North Dakota House lawmakers approve state DOGE task force

BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A proposal to establish a North Dakota version of the federal Department of Government Efficiency advanced in the House Monday. House Bill 1442, supported with an 88-2 vote, would create a new task force of legislators and executive branch officials to review state programs and recommend areas to cut costs. “This task force is…

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…