Insight #36

Mar 13, 2025

Legislative Overview ~ March 13, 2025

The North Dakota 69th Legislative Assembly held abbreviated floor sessions today to take time to honor former House and Senate members who have passed away since the previous session. Despite the shortened sessions, both chambers fulfilled their duties by considering all bills as their schedules permitted.

These memorial sessions are a respectful tradition that allows lawmakers to pay tribute to their former colleagues while maintaining the legislative process. The House and Senate demonstrated their ability to balance commemorative activities with their ongoing responsibilities to review and vote on pending legislation.  See more detailed information below.

Here’s a summary of what took place during today’s floor sessions:

7 Bills Passed in the Senate and awaiting Governor’s Signature:                                                                                    HB1067, HB1097, HB1127, HB1217, HB1222, HB1224, HB1328, HB1338, & HB1551 + SMR8001.   Those that failed include; HCR3013

10 Bills Passed in the House and awaiting Governor’s Signature:                                                                                     SB2064, SB2098, SB2101, SB2114, SB2132, SB2163, SB2173, SB2175, SB2205, SB2207, SB2223, SB2257, SB2261, SB2291, SB2310, & SB2356 + HMR7001.  There were none that failed.

The Bills we are tracking regarding the business world include:
SB2101:  https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0332-02000.pdf

This Bill proposes amendments to North Dakota’s emergency medical services (EMS) regulations. It updates licensing requirements, response priorities, and standards for personnel, equipment, and vehicle operations. The bill aims to ensure EMS operations provide reliable emergency and non-emergency services, with specific guidelines on personnel qualifications, response times, and licensing fees. Affected stakeholders include EMS providers, healthcare facilities, and local governments.

SB2163:  https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0634-01000.pdf

This Bill proposes an amendment to North Dakota law that raises the reporting threshold for contractors from $25,000 to $50,000 for individual projects, contracts, or subcontracts completed within the state. Contractors must submit a list of qualifying projects to the state registrar along with proof of liability insurance and certifications of tax compliance. The bill affects contractors and regulatory agencies by adjusting reporting requirements.  This Bill could affect smaller independent contractors by raising the project value threshold that triggers reporting requirements. Contractors working on projects valued below $50,000 would no longer need to submit reports, which could reduce their administrative burden. However, those handling larger contracts would still need to comply with state regulations regarding reporting, insurance, and tax compliance. This change may provide relief to smaller businesses while maintaining oversight for higher-value projects.

SB2223:  https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0824-02000.pdf

The Bill establishes North Dakota’s participation in the Dietitian Licensure Compact. This compact allows licensed dietitians to practice across member states without needing multiple licenses. It aims to improve public access to dietetic services, support workforce mobility, and standardize regulations. The bill impacts dietitians, healthcare institutions, and regulatory agencies by streamlining licensure processes. It enlarges government oversight but does not impose restrictions on individual rights.

SB2310:  https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-1262-01000.pdf

This Bill proposes changes to North Dakota’s garnishment laws by increasing disclosure fees from $25 to $40 and modifying the minimum judgment threshold for garnishment proceedings. It also introduces the option for electronic service of garnishment notices, which could streamline processes for creditors and employers while potentially increasing administrative costs for businesses. Employers may need to update their payroll systems to comply with the revised regulations.

 

​Senate Memorial Resolution No. 8001, introduced during the Sixty-ninth Legislative Assembly of North Dakota, honors the following deceased former members of the North Dakota Senate:​

  • Dwight Cook (District 34), served from the 55th through the 66th Legislative Assemblies, passed away on January 7, 2024.​
  • Judy Lee DeMers (Districts 17-18), served from the 48th through the 52nd Legislative Assemblies and the 53rd through the 56th Legislative Assemblies, died on March 12, 2024.​
  • Richard Wayne Goldberg (District 21), served from the 40th through the 43rd Legislative Assemblies, passed away on July 18, 2023.​
  • Daniel Fred Jerome (District 9), served in the 52nd and 53rd Legislative Assemblies, died on May 25, 2024.​
  • Douglas Allen Larsen (District 34), served in the 67th and 68th Legislative Assemblies, passed away on October 1, 2023.​
  • Donald B. Moore (District 28), served in the 42nd Legislative Assembly and the 47th through the 52nd Legislative Assemblies, died on November 30, 2023.
  • David E. “Dave” Nething (Districts 29, 48, 12), served from the 40th through the 44th Legislative Assemblies, the 45th through the 57th Legislative Assemblies, and the 58th through the 62nd Legislative Assemblies, passed away on December 2, 2024.​
  • Randy A. Schobinger (Districts 3, 40), served from the 54th through the 59th Legislative Assemblies and the 65th through the 68th Legislative Assemblies, died on August 13, 2024.​
  • Herbert A. “Herb” Urlacher (Districts 38, 36), served in the 51st and 52nd Legislative Assemblies and the 53rd through the 60th Legislative Assemblies, passed away on October 29, 2023.​

This resolution acknowledges their dedicated service and expresses condolences to their families.

House Memorial Resolution No. 7001 honors the following deceased former members of the North Dakota House of Representatives, recognizing their service and contributions to the state:

  • Joshua David Christy (District 27), served in the 68th and 69th Legislative Assemblies, died February 18, 2025.
  • Judy Lee DeMers (Districts 17-18), served in the 48th through the 56th Legislative Assemblies, died March 12, 2024.
  • Alan Gail Erickson (District 3), served in the 52nd Legislative Assembly, died May 7, 2024.
  • Odell Donald Flaagan (District 23), served in the 50th through the 52nd Legislative Assemblies, died April 30, 2024.
  • William Frederick Gackle (Districts 24 and 28), served in the 38th, 40th through the 46th Legislative Assemblies, died July 30, 2023.
  • Moine Ray Gates (District 43), served in the 47th through the 53rd Legislative Assemblies, died April 27, 2023.
  • Kathy Hawken (District 46), served in the 55th through the 64th Legislative Assemblies, died December 2, 2023.
  • Neil Barry Hensrud (District 18), served in the 44th Legislative Assembly, died January 22, 2025.
  • James Eugene “Jim” Kieffer (District 22), served in the 42nd Legislative Assembly, died September 13, 2023.
  • Richard William Kloubec (Districts 21, 46, and 51), served in the 43rd through the 52nd Legislative Assemblies, died June 7, 2023.
  • Charles Franklin Mertens (District 15), served in the 42nd through the 51st Legislative Assemblies, died April 13, 2024.
  • David Henry Montplaisir, Sr. (District 10), served in the 39th Legislative Assembly, died October 2, 2023.
  • Donald B. Moore (District 28), served in the 42nd and 47th through the 52nd Legislative Assemblies, died November 30, 2023.
  • Robert Keith “Bob” Muhs, Sr. (District 7), served in the 52nd Legislative Assembly, died July 24, 2023.
  • Rosemarie C. Myrdal (District 11), served in the 49th through the 52nd Legislative Assemblies, died October 11, 2023.
  • Mark S. Owens (Districts 17 and 18), served in the 59th, 60th, and 62nd through the 67th Legislative Assemblies, died April 28, 2024.
  • Winston Monroe “Cash” Register (District 18), served in the 41st Legislative Assembly, died March 28, 2024.
  • Neil Hubert Romfo (District 10), served in the 47th Legislative Assembly, died April 29, 2023.
  • Daniel Frederick Rylance (Districts 18 and 43), served in the 44th and 45th Legislative Assemblies, died November 28, 2023.
  • Randy A. Schobinger (Districts 3 and 40), served in the 54th through the 59th and 65th through the 68th Legislative Assemblies, died August 13, 2024.
  • Charles Leo Scofield (District 1), served in the 43rd through the 46th Legislative Assemblies, died November 22, 2024.
  • Dorvan Solberg (District 2), served in the 56th through the 60th Legislative Assemblies, died January 21, 2024.
  • Herbert A. “Herb” Urlacher (Districts 36 and 38), served in the 51st through the 60th Legislative Assemblies, died October 29, 2023.
  • Gary M. “Slim” Williamson (Districts 5 and 29), served in the 39th and 40th Legislative Assemblies, died June 24, 2023.

The resolution acknowledges their dedicated service to North Dakota, expresses condolences to their families, and directs that this tribute be printed in the House Journal and presented to their surviving families.

Jan Wangler, Executive Director