Legislative Update | March 21, 2025
Posted: Mar 24 2025
This Week at the Legislature
March Madness is here. And so is the NCAA college basketball tournament. The Capitol Classic this week brought together legislators, statewide elected officials, and lobbyists to raise $24,000 for Special Olympics of ND.
North Dakota’s political arena mirrored the drama of a state basketball tournament. In the legal bracket, the developer of DAPL, Energy Transfer, made a $660 million slam dunk against Greenpeace, following a jury’s ruling over the pipeline protests. Greenpeace, calling foul, vows to appeal.
Meanwhile, lawmakers in Bismarck ran their own full-court presses with fast-breaking amendments and some appropriators still playing tough defense on new spending proposals amidst a new budget playbook that anticipates lower oil prices the next two years and a potential $600M hit to the state coffers. Conference committees are on the horizon and major disagreements over property tax reform and relief between the chambers will likely be the championship showdown. Thus, in the next few weeks, brace for some tight calls, high pressure, and everyone watching the scoreboard on their policy and appropriations proposals.
Hearings and Other Action Last Week
HB 1149 – Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act
Monday morning, the Senate Industry and Business Committee heard HB 1149 which amends provisions of North Dakota’s Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act. Susan Sommerfeld, director of the Unclaimed Property Division of the North Dakota Department of Trust Lands, walked the committee through the bill. The most notable changes address the dormancy period for virtual currency and requiring the holder of virtual currency to liquidate the asset before turning the proceeds to the state. NDBA Rick Clayburgh testified in support. There was no opposition and the hearing was closed without committee action. Wednesday morning, the committee gave the bill a 5-0 do-pass recommendation. On Friday afternoon, the full Senate passed the bill 44-0. The bill now heads to the Governor for his signature.
HB 1507 – Establishment of a Cooperative Bank Charter - UPDATE
Last week, the Senate Industry and Business Committee gave HB 1507 a 5-0 do-pass recommendation and re-referred the bill to the Senate Appropriations Committee to review the fiscal impact. Wednesday morning, the Senate Appropriations – Government Operations Division held a hearing on the bill. NDBA’s Rick Clayburgh explained the bill and testified in support. The Committee gave the bill a 5-0 do-pass recommendation. On Thursday afternoon, the full Appropriations Committee reviewed the bill and gave it a 15-0 do-pass recommendation. The bill now heads to the full Senate for final action.
HB 1354 – Evaluations Performed by Professional Appraisers - UPDATE
The Senate Industry and Business Committee had scheduled to reopen the hearing on HB 1354 Monday morning to consider amendments that had been prepared to address concerns of the banking industry and the ND Realtors. That morning, it was discovered there were errors with the amendments. Wednesday afternoon, Committee Chairman Barta, the Appraisal Board attorney, NDBA, and the ND Realtors met with Legislative Council to walk through all the proposed amendments to the bill. As of Friday morning, the amendments had not yet been sent to Chairman Barta. It is most likely the committee will act on the bill early next week.
SB 2127 – Uniform Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act - UPDATE
Last week, the House Judiciary Committee gave SB 2127 an 11-0 do-pass recommendation. The bill adopts the Uniform Electronic Estate Planning Documents Act. The bill was amended to require affirming of the electronic nontestamentary estate planning document before a notary public. On Monday, the full House passed the bill 90-2.
HB 1447 – Virtual Currency Kiosks - UPDATE
Last week, the Senate Industry and Business Committee gave HB 1447 a 5-0 do-pass recommendation.
HB 1447 is intended to regulate crypto-currency kiosk machines in North Dakota. On Tuesday afternoon, the full Senate passed the amended bill 45-1. The bill now heads to the House for concurrence.
HB 1183 – Gold and Silver Investment
Last week, the Senate Industry and Business Committee gave HB 1183 a 3-2 do-not-pass recommendation. HB 1183 requires the State Treasurer to invest 1% of all funds deposited in the treasury in physical gold and silver as bullion or coins, approximately $40M. On Monday afternoon, the full Senate defeated HB 1183 by a 13-34 vote.
SB 2122 – Uniform Commercial Real Estate Receivership Act - UPDATE
Last week, the House passed SB 2122 by a 93-0 vote. The bill adopts the Uniform Commercial Real Estate Receivership Act (UCRERA) which provides for a consistent set of rules for receiverships involving commercial property. Tuesday afternoon, the Senate concurred with the House changes and passed the bill 93-1. The bill now heads to the Governor for his signature.
Hearings The Week of March 24, 2025
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3/24/2025 9:45 AM
SB 2280 – Priority – House Industry Business & Labor Committee
Relating to prior authorization for health and dental insurance; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide for a legislative management report; and to provide an effective date.
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3/24/2025 2:00 PM
HB 1176 – Priority – Senate Appropriations Committee
Governor’s Property tax proposal. The original bill provided the framework for a $483.4 million property tax credit plan, funded by both the General Fund and the Legacy Earnings Fund to provide a total primary residence credit of $1,550 per qualifying residence per year for the 2025-27 biennium. As amended in the House, the bill increases the primary residence property tax credit from $500 to $1,450 annually and it expands the homestead property tax credit income thresholds and benefit for the renter’s refund program.
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3/25/2025 9:30 AM
HB 1330 – Tracking – Senate Industry & Business Committee
Relating to divestment from legacy fund investments in Chinese companies; and to amend and reenact section 21‑10‑07.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the prudent investor rule.
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3/27/2025 8:30 AM
SB 2214 – Tracking – House Appropriations Committee – Committee Work
Relating to the insurance commissioner assuming the duties of the securities commissioner; and to provide an appropriation.
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3/27/2025 10:00 AM
HB 1259 – Priority – Senate State and Local Government Committee
Relating to requiring the state to observe standard time year-round; and to repeal section 40‑01‑20 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to daylight saving time.
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3/27/2025 2:30 PM
SB 2014 – Priority – House Appropriations – Government Operations Committee
A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the industrial commission and the agencies under its control – including the Bank of North Dakota and the Housing Finance Agency. BND provisions include open records request clarification and update to PACE program.
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NDBA 2025 Legislative Tracking Lists