north dakota legislature

Gov. Armstrong signs 2 bills affecting North Dakota political communications, advertising

North Dakota lawmakers meet in the House chamber. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — Gov. Kelly Armstrong signed two bills last week that will change laws surrounding political communications and advertisements in North Dakota. House Bill 1167, sponsored by Rep. Jonathan Warrey, R-Casselton, would require a disclaimer in capital letters on any political communication or political advertisement…

Lawmaker’s vacation among 195 missed days by North Dakota legislators

Rep. Landon Bahl, R-Grand Forks, listens in the House chamber during a floor session on April 17, 2025. Bahl has missed 10 days of the legislative session. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — North Dakota lawmakers will be paid at least $41,500 for absences during the 2025 legislative session so far, though most legislators with more than…

North Dakota lawmakers look to add $1 million to state budget for anti-abortion campaign

Sen. Janne Myrdal, R-Edinburg, speaks during a floor session in the Senate on April 17, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A North Dakota legislative committee this week recommended adding $1 million in the budget bill for the Office of Management and Budget for a “life education committee” to teach people about abortion alternatives. The amendment was…

North Dakota Senate passes Education Savings Accounts for private school students

Sen. Michelle Axtman, R-Bismarck, speaks on the Senate floor on April 17, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The North Dakota Senate approved a bill Thursday establishing Education Savings Accounts for private school students, but details are likely to be worked out by a conference committee. The Senate voted 27-20 in favor of an amended version…

North Dakota House approves change to state health insurance plan

Rep. Ben Koppelman, R-West Fargo, speaks on the House floor on Jan. 24, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The North Dakota House voted 55-37 on Wednesday in favor of a bill that some worry will lead to state employees paying health insurance premiums — though supporters say that is not the intention of the proposal….

Ethics commissioners say bill would impose an arbitrary cutoff for investigations

Commissioners Murray Sagsveen, left, and Ronald Goodman, right, members of the North Dakota Ethics Commission, listen to a House committee hearing on March 18, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The Ethics Commission fears changes approved by North Dakota lawmakers earlier this week could allow alleged ethical violations by public officials to go unaddressed. “We’re going…

North Dakota lawmakers consider bill that could lead to state employees paying for health premiums

Nick Archuleta, president of North Dakota United, speaks during a committee hearing on Jan. 21, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A committee of lawmakers on Tuesday endorsed a bill that would allow the state to shift health insurance premium costs onto employees. Senate Bill 2160, sponsored by Rep. Kyle Davison, R-Fargo, would change the state…

North Dakota Senate defeats bill that aimed to divest Legacy Fund from China

Sen. Jerry Klein, R-Fessenden, testifies against a bill that sought to authorize the State Investment Board to divest the Legacy Fund from Chinese investments. (Jeff Beach / North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The North Dakota Senate on Tuesday sank a bill that would have authorized the State Investment Board to divest from Legacy Fund holdings in companies…

North Dakota lawmaker defends absence as she’s urged to go without pay for vacation

Rep. Lori VanWinkle, R-Minot, speaks on the House floor on April 14, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — North Dakota’s House majority leader urged a state lawmaker Monday to forgo her legislative pay for a week of the session she missed while taking a family vacation. Rep. Lori VanWinkle, R-Minot, returned Monday after missing five days…

Library content bill narrowly passes North Dakota House

Rep. Bernie Satrom, R-Jamestown, speaks on the House floor on April 14, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — A bill requiring school and public libraries to relocate content deemed “sexually explicit” passed the House on a 49-45 vote Monday after nearly 90 minutes of debate. Senate Bill 2307, sponsored by Sen. Keith Boehm, R-Mandan, would allow…