Legislative Update | March 28, 2025
Posted: Mar 31 2025
This Week at the Legislature
This week brought a few firsts to this legislative session. The first “concur” and “do not concur” have hit
the floor calendars, meaning conference committees could start as early as next week to work
differences out between the two chambers. The governor’s first veto arrived—relating to a bill that gives
preference to the state’s manufacturing business within the penitentiary. It was promptly overridden by
the Senate and will likely meet a similar fate in the House. The state has also, for the first time, adopted
a state waltz, “Dancing Dakota,” in addition to designating the composer of the song, and one of North
Dakota’s finest musicians, Chucky Suchy, the State Troubadour.
This week, we also saw the Senate Appropriations Committee pass a watered-down version of the
property tax bill advanced by the Governor and House. Specifically, the Senate leadership offered a
couple amendments that will presumably set up a showdown between chambers on the amount of
property tax relief, the level of “skin in the game” that homeowners should have, and to what extent
political subdivisions should be capped in raising taxes at the local level. Property tax relief was issue #1
on Legislative day #1, and its fate is still unresolved on day #50.
Hearings and Other Action this Week
HB 1259 – Eliminating Daylight Savings Time
The Senate State and Local Government Committee heard HB 1259 Wednesday morning. HB 1259 was
sponsored by Rep. Roger Maki, who explained the bill eliminates Daylight Savings time in North Dakota
and establishes Standard Daylight time year-round. Three individuals testified in support, followed by
lengthy opposition testimony by the business community, including NDBA, and the recreation
community. The hearing was closed without committee action.
HB 1354 – Evaluations Performed by Professional Appraisers - UPDATE
On Monday morning, the Senate Industry and Business Committee re-opened the hearing on HB 1354 to
consider amendments that had been prepared to address concerns of the banking industry and the ND
Realtors. Chairman Barta explained that he, the Appraisal Board attorney, NDBA, and the ND Realtors
met with Legislative Council and worked to prepare the amendments being presented to the
committee. Matt Menge, attorney for the Appraisal Board and DFI, explained the amendments. The
committee adopted the amendments and gave the bill a 5-0 do-pass recommendation. On Friday
afternoon, the full Senate passed the bill 47-0. The bill now heads back to the House for their
consideration of the Senate amendments.
Hearings The Week of March 31, 2025
3/31/2025 10:30 AM
SB 2204 – Tracking – House Industry Business & Labor Committee
Relating to the required disclosure of radon hazards by a seller.
3/31/2025 2:30 PM
HB 1584 – Priority – Senate Industry & Business Committee
Relating to pharmacy benefits managers – the bill removes the exemption of a self-funded ERISA health
plan from the pharmacy benefits management statutes.
4/1/2025 2:30 PM
HCR 3001– Tracking – Senate Industry & Business Committee
A concurrent resolution encouraging the State Treasurer and State Investment Board to invest selected
state funds in digital assets and precious metals.
4/4/2025 8:30 AM
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.