Legislative Overview ~ April 16, 2025
As the 69th North Dakota Legislative Assembly approaches its final weeks, business owners and concerned citizens must stay vigilant. Although the session is winding down, a significant number of bills and resolutions remain under consideration, covering a wide range of issues that impact businesses and everyday life. Patterns and alliances are becoming clearer, and the quality and quantity of legislation, along with the governor’s responses to bills sent for signature, will shape the state’s future.
Key areas to watch include property tax reform, workforce development, regulatory changes, and healthcare-related legislation, all of which directly affect the business climate. Staying informed and engaged during these final weeks is crucial, as decisions made now will have lasting effects. We will continue monitoring developments closely and provide critical insights to help you understand and influence the legislative outcomes that matter most to you.
Here is a summary of what took place during today’s floor sessions:
20 Bills Passed in the Senate and awaiting Governor’s Signature: HB1010, HB1013, HB1053, HB1139, HB1332, HB1369, HB1482, HB1584, SB2069, SB2082, SB2129, SB2186, SB2226, SB2230, SB2262, SB2291, SB2294, SB2297, SB2385, SB2387, & SCR4017. Those which were failed include: HB1061, HB1011, SB2234 & SB2243.
8 Bills Passed in the House and awaiting Governor’s Signature: HB1318, HB1440, HB1460, SB2160, SB2224, SB2267, SB2276, SB2327. Those which were failed include: HB1428.
The Bills we are tracking regarding the business world include:
SB2082: https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-8098-02000.pdf
This Bill revises the North Dakota hazardous chemical fee system. It increases annual hazardous chemical fees, introduces stricter late fee provisions, and specifies fund distribution to state and county preparedness programs. The maximum fee per facility rises from $475 to $1,250, impacting businesses that handle hazardous chemicals. Family farms, state, and local government facilities remain exempt. Proceeds support emergency planning, training, and response efforts at state and county levels. This bill could increase costs for businesses managing hazardous chemicals while bolstering local preparedness.
SB2129: https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-8033-04000.pdf
This Bill proposes revisions to North Dakota’s veterinary medicine regulations. It introduces new definitions, updates licensing requirements for veterinarians and veterinary technicians, and clarifies the scope of practice, including complementary and alternative therapies. The bill also establishes penalties for noncompliance and provides updated guidelines for veterinary education and professional conduct. Affected stakeholders include veterinary professionals, animal owners, and regulatory bodies. It updates licensing requirements by introducing clearer criteria for obtaining and maintaining veterinary licenses, including continuing education and professional conduct standards. It also expands the scope of practice to include complementary and alternative therapies such as acupuncture and chiropractic care, provided they meet regulatory guidelines. The bill aims to modernize veterinary services and ensure compliance with updated professional standards.
SB2224: https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-1099-02000.pdf
This Bill proposes abolishing the North Dakota Gaming Commission and transferring its regulatory and administrative duties to the Attorney General’s office. The bill outlines the responsibilities of the Attorney General in overseeing gaming operations, including rule adoption, tax collection, and enforcement to ensure fair and lawful gaming activities. This change centralizes oversight within a single agency and may affect gaming organizations, manufacturers, and distributors. It could negatively affect stakeholders such as gaming operators, charitable organizations, and gaming equipment suppliers by introducing potential delays in regulatory processes due to the transition of oversight to the Attorney General’s office. The consolidation may result in changes to compliance requirements, increased scrutiny, and possible disruptions during the transition period. Smaller gaming operators might face challenges adapting to new administrative procedures and policies. NOTE: A dedicated centralized gaming commission could provide specialized knowledge, streamlined operations, and a singular focus on industry regulations. In contrast, placing oversight under the Attorney General’s office could lead to increased legal scrutiny, centralized authority, and potential bureaucratic challenges for stakeholders adjusting to new regulatory frameworks.
HB1318: https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0622-03000.pdf
This Bill proposes that pesticides registered with the North Dakota agriculture commissioner or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and bearing EPA-approved labels, meet all state health and safety warning requirements. This would preempt additional state-level labeling mandates and limit failure-to-warn lawsuits under state law, provided the product is used according to its label.
Supporters, including agricultural groups and chemical manufacturers, argue the bill protects farmers’ access to essential pesticides and shields them from litigation over products deemed safe by federal standards. Critics, such as environmental advocates and consumer safety groups, contend it restricts the state’s ability to impose stricter safety measures and could hinder legal recourse for individuals harmed by pesticides. The bill does not directly affect constitutional liberties but may influence state tort law by limiting grounds for failure-to-warn claims.
HB1332: https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-0541-07000.pdf
This Bill creates a new incentive program to support large-scale value-added agriculture facilities. It offers grants for infrastructure and development costs for projects that invest at least $350 million and contribute at least $20 million in economic value. The bill also includes a $30 million transfer from the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund to support this initiative. Aimed at boosting local economies, it impacts agricultural businesses and communities involved in food processing, commodity production, and agricultural manufacturing.
Non-agricultural taxpayers may be indirectly impacted this bill through the $30 million transfer from the state’s Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund. This fund comes from taxpayer dollars and will be used to support grants for large-scale agricultural projects. While non-agricultural businesses or individuals aren’t directly receiving the grants, they could benefit from the job creation and economic growth these projects aim to stimulate, particularly in rural areas where such developments may occur.
This Bill could also be viewed as affecting liberty in a few ways. By allocating public funds to support agricultural development, it may be seen as an expansion of government involvement in the economy. This could be viewed as limiting individual freedom by directing taxpayer money toward specific industries. However, supporters might argue that it fosters economic growth and job creation, which could enhance overall opportunities for citizens. The impact on liberty depends on one’s perspective regarding government intervention in business development.
HB1584: https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/documents/25-1281-04000.pdf
Proposes new regulations for pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in North Dakota. It includes amendments to licensing requirements, defines prohibited practices, and mandates transparency in pricing and reimbursement processes. The bill aims to enhance accountability and fairness in how PBMs interact with pharmacies and insurers. Affected stakeholders include pharmacies, healthcare providers, and insurance companies. The bill may increase regulatory oversight while potentially improving transparency in prescription drug pricing.
~ During today’s floor session, the North Dakota House engaged in over two hours of debate before passing a pesticide labeling bill, HB1318, becoming the first state to approve such legislation after 35 others rejected similar measures. This bill establishes that pesticide manufacturers are shielded from lawsuits if their products carry EPA-approved labels and are properly produced, effectively placing the EPA label as the definitive warning standard. Supporters argue this protects farmers’ access to vital agricultural chemicals like glyphosate-based products, ensuring continued innovation and preventing costly legal battles that could drive these products off the market.
Opponents, however, warn that the bill raises the bar too high for individuals to seek legal recourse if pesticides are later found harmful, potentially stripping residents and farmworkers of protections. The debate highlights a clash between supporting agricultural interests and preserving consumer rights, with North Dakota lawmakers signaling weak backing for their citizens and local farming communities over the concerns of large foreign corporations. Unfortunately, this legislation positions North Dakota uniquely in the national landscape on pesticide regulation and liability. These are the types of debates that we should all seek to have our voices heard on, no matter which side of the aisle or the issue you stand on. We all need to seek to learn not just the outcome, but the intent behind such bills.
Jan Wangler, Executive Director 