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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
