Latest news with #NorthDakotaLegislature
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
North Dakota to require age verification for pornography sites
(Getty Images) The North Dakota Legislature passed expanded regulations and penalties surrounding pornography and deepfake content during the 2025 session. Gov. Kelly Armstrong signed bills that added age-verification requirements for websites publishing explicit content. He also signed a bill that added civil penalties for the creation and distribution of deepfake, or computer-generated, pornographic material without a subject's consent. Both laws will go into effect Aug. 1. Senate Bill 2380 and House Bill 1561 both will require age verification for websites containing a substantial portion of pornographic material that could be considered harmful to minors. Rep. Steve Swiontek, R-Fargo, chief sponsor of House Bill 1561, said children are being exposed to pornography in significant numbers by age 12 and even more by age 17, which is one of the main reasons he sponsored the bill. 'The thought was there should be some requirement and expectations that these adult entertainment sites who are getting paid for this … that they should be mandated and required to verify age,' Swiontek said. 'I think we have a moral obligation for these kids.' Those websites under the new law would need to implement a verification system to confirm the user is over 18. Swiontek said the age-verification bill was modeled after a similar bill was implemented in Utah in 2023. Critics of that bill pointed to ways it could be circumvented, The Associated Press reported. Swiontek said there isn't a 'fool proof' way to stop minors from accessing pornographic websites. States race to restrict deepfake porn as it becomes easier to create 'If we can prevent 90% of these things from happening, then it's been a success,' Swiontek said. 'And then, it can be tweaked two years from now as well.' None of the information obtained while conducting age verification may be retained. Websites that fail to comply with the age-verification requirements may be held liable for damages by a parent or guardian of a minor who accessed the explicit content or a person whose information was retained after the verification process. The new law exempts internet service providers, search engines, cloud services and application stores from liability for facilitating connection between users and websites. Cody Schuler, advocacy manager for the American Civil Liberties Union of North Dakota, said pornography is protected under the First Amendment. He added the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments over a similar age-verification law implemented in Texas and the court is expected to issue its decision in June or July. 'We are not opposed to protecting children,' Schuler said. 'The concern becomes when … we put undue burden upon those individuals who are legal to access pornography.' Schuler added that data collection by third-party age-verification hosts can also bring up potential privacy concerns. 'It is really important for us to hear what comes next from the Supreme Court and then look at where things go from there as far as what laws or corrections might need to be made,' he said. House Bill 1351 makes it a misdemeanor to create, possess and distribute sexually expressive images, including real, altered or computer-generated deepfakes, that show nude or partially denuded figures without consent. The new law also provides an avenue for victims of those images to file civil lawsuits to recover up to $10,000 in statutory damages caused by the distribution. Plaintiffs would also be able to recover any money gained by a defendant through the distribution of the image. Swiontek said he voted in support of the bill because it becomes difficult to get rid of manufactured, false content once it enters the internet. 'There has to be an obligation and a penalty for people who do that,' Swiontek said. U.S. House Republicans aim to ban state-level AI laws for 10 years North Dakota lawmakers also passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 4017, which asks the Legislative Management Committee to consider studying the 'detrimental impacts of pornography.' The goal of the study is to examine education, prevention and research of the societal consequences stemming from pornography. The resolution text alleges the porn industry 'produces media that objectifies women and children, and depicts rape and abuse, perpetuating the demand for sex trafficking, prostitution, child pornography and sexual abuse images.' The Legislative Management Committee received requests for 66 different studies to be completed during the interim, 19 of which are mandatory studies. Previously, John Bjornson, director of Legislative Council, said the committee could realistically complete about 45 studies during the 18-month interim. The committee will meet for the first time during the interim Tuesday in Fargo. President Donald Trump signed the Take It Down Act last week, which requires platforms to take down nonconsensual intimate depictions of individuals, real or deepfake images, within 48 hours of being notified or they may face criminal or civil penalties. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Grand Forks lawmakers heard a menagerie of issues from constituents
May 17—EDITOR'S NOTE — The following is part of an ongoing series of Herald stories about the recently completed session of the North Dakota Legislature. GRAND FORKS — The 2025 legislative session hit a number of topics and issues affecting all of North Dakota. In Grand Forks, local lawmakers had their own differing concerns brought to them by constituents. The biennial session ended earlier this month after more than 1,000 bills and resolutions were introduced. Throughout their four months in Bismarck, lawmakers say they typically receive a number of emails and calls from the people they represent. Sen. Claire Cory, R-Grand Forks, experienced a buzz about blackout license plates and alternative energy sources, such as geothermal and nuclear. About the latter, she said she is "optimistic about the future application moving towards long term energy needs, jobs and opportunities this will create for North Dakota." Blackout license plates, gaining popularity in Minnesota and other states, were introduced to North Dakota via Senate Bill 2133 . Rather than the typical state plate design — a bison silhouetted before a setting sun over the Badlands — the new plates will simply be black with white lettering. Cory said she's heard a lot of excitement about them. Purchasing the plates will also put money into North Dakota's highway system. The bill, according to Sen. Kristin Roers, R-Fargo, was filed on a constituent's request. Rep. Steve Vetter, R-Grand Forks, said a number of his own bills were based on constituent issues he heard. Some of the bills of which he was a primary sponsor involved false reports to law enforcement, edible medical marijuana and motor vehicle window tints. Property tax was a hot topic for constituents of at least four Grand Forks legislators: Cory, Vetter, Rep. Mark Sanford and Sen. Scott Meyer. Sanford, R-Grand Forks, said it was what he received the most comments about. Meyer, R-Grand Forks, said it might show up again in the next session following the passing of House Bill 1176 this session. "The goal was to not only bring relief to homeowners, but to also bring tax reform in the form of caps," he said. "When massive policy like this is enacted, there will be feelings that we could do more. With that said, we'll have an opportunity to address any unintended consequences in Bismarck next session." Sanford said he also heard frequently from the higher education community because he carries that budget. Rep. Zac Ista, D-Grand Forks, also mentioned education, said protecting public education was the top concern he heard from constituents. "There was a large public outcry against voucher and educational savings account proposals that would have diverted public tax dollars to paying for private school tuition," he said. "Simply put, the public was strongly against this plan." Rep. Eric Murphy, R-Grand Forks, said House Bill 1318 was something for which he received a number of "thank you" notes. The approved bill's goal is to provide legal protections for pesticide manufacturers, specifying that a label approved by the Environmental Protection Agency is sufficient in warning users about hazardous chemicals. The bill received protest from some legislators and North Dakota residents. Prior to the vote by the Senate to approve the bill, about two dozen people stood outside the Capitol building voicing concerns about it. Among concerns about health risks, people also worried about keeping companies liable for health issues caused by the chemicals. "This does not remove responsibility for unknown health risks when using a product nor known health risks, but it does relieve them from failure to warn the consumer," Murphy, R-Grand Forks said. "(It's) an important bill for agriculture producers." Sen. Jonathan Sickler, R-Grand Forks, said his constituent comments were about time — literally. "By far, I received the most individual communications from constituents who were opposed to the bill to switch to standard time year-round," he said. "The Legislature heard the opposition and handily defeated the proposed change."
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Grand Forks lawmakers point to property tax relief as most impactful legislation this session
May 17—EDITOR'S NOTE — The following is part of an ongoing series of Herald stories about the recently completed session of the North Dakota Legislature. GRAND FORKS — Of the more than 1,000 bills and resolutions introduced during the recently completed session of the North Dakota Legislature, one rises above all others, according to Grand Forks lawmakers. Property tax reform and relief — coming with the passage of House Bill 1176 — stands out as the most notable legislation of the session, they say. Rep. Zac Ista, D-Grand Forks, believes the property tax relief effort will work to retain current residents and attract new ones. "(HB 1176 is) real, lasting, and sustainable property tax relief and reform for North Dakota homeowners who soon will enjoy an annual $1,600 primary residence tax credit. This will both help homeowners stay in their homes and attract new workers to our state," Ista said. "I was proud to stand with Governor (Kelly) Armstrong in prioritizing homeowners and making sure this relief can extend well into the future in a way that doesn't bust the state budget." Seven of 12 Grand Forks lawmakers responded to a post-session survey sent by the Grand Forks Herald, with each giving property tax-related answers when asked "what do you feel was the most impactful legislation that was passed for the state during this session?" Responding to the survey were Republicans Sen. Scott Meyer, Sen. Claire Cory, Sen. Jonathan Sickler, Rep. Eric Murphy, Rep. Steve Vetter and Rep. Mark Sanford and Ista. Not responding to the emailed surveys were Rep. Emily O'Brien, Rep. Nels Christianson, Rep. Landon Bahl, Rep. Doug Osowski and Sen. Jeff Barta. Passage of HB 1176 came late in the session, on May 2. The nearly $409 million bill expands the primary residence tax credit to a maximum of $1,600 — more than tripling the previous credit of $500 — and limits to 3% the increase that local subdivisions can levy annually. Funding for the bill will come from the state's Legacy Fund, which derives its revenue from oil and gas extraction taxes. Tax relief was among Gov. Armstrong's chief goals coming into the session, saying before the November election that property taxes are the state's "No. 1 issue." In a post-session op-ed published in the Grand Forks Herald and other newspapers, the first-term governor applauded HB 1176's passage. "Homeowners spoke. We listened," he wrote. "Ensuring this tax relief continues to increase will be a top priority for our administration in future sessions." He believes the package is "responsible, affordable and durable" and that its framework will allow lawmakers an opportunity to increase the primary residence credit as the Legacy Fund grows. Sickler said the passage of 1176 "will have an immediate impact on all North Dakota primary homeowners." He said the initial $1,600 credit will grow over time in correlation to the Legacy Fund's inevitable growth, benefiting "a broad swath of North Dakotans across the state." Cory sees HB 1176 as "a direct tax savings for homeowners." In her survey response, she noted the tripling of the tax credit and also that the bill "provides money for a disabled veterans tax credit and a renters refund." Vetter called HB 1176 impactful and said it was the No. 1 issue he heard about from constituents this session. Same for Meyer. "Property tax reform was the most impactful legislation and the policy that I received the most emails about," Meyer said. "I supported this policy as it focused on owner-occupied residences and renters, which more than tripled the current property tax credit. This will likely continue being a point of discussion, whether we are looking to increase the credit or expand to other property classifications." Murphy, too, listed HB 1176 as the most impactful for the state. He added: "I find that property taxes are a local issue and the 3% cap on local increases may become problematic. Because the city of Grand Forks has limited increases over the years below 3%, I don't see that to be an issue for the moment. But we just don't understand the unintended consequences."
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Photos: North Dakota Legislature works marathon final day
House Speaker Robin Weisz, R-Hurdsfield, shakes hands will colleagues as the Legislature adjourns early May 3, 2025. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) The North Dakota Legislature gaveled in at 8 a.m. Friday and didn't adjourn about 4 a.m. Saturday to close out the 69th Legislative Assembly. Lawmakers used 74 of 80 available legislative days, though that does not include days when committees met and the full House and Senate did not convene. Legislators introduced 1,089 bills and resolutions, the highest number since 2009, according to Legislative Council. More than 615 bills passed both chambers, with final figures not immediately available. As of 5 p.m. Friday, Gov. Kelly Armstrong had signed 536 bills and issued four vetoes, all of which were sustained by the Legislature. Armstrong has 15 business days to sign all remaining bills. In the final hours, legislators approved major budget bills and compromised on a historic property tax package. They worked through the night, at times socializing or saying goodbyes to colleagues while waiting on conference committees to complete their work or amendments to be drafted by legislative staff. 'Democracy is messy, but it is the best form of government there is,' Senate Minority Leader Kathy Hogan, D-Fargo, said as the Senate adjourned sine die. Rep. Austen Schauer, from left, Sen. Kathy Hogan and Rep. Mike Lefor pose for a selfie May 3, 2025, before the legislative session adjourns. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) House Majority Leader Mike Lefor listens in the Senate chamber during the final hours of the 2025 legislative session. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) Rep. Karla Rose Hanson, D-Fargo, talks to colleagues in the House chamber while waiting for the 2025 legislative session to conclude. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) Lawmakers worked through the night at the state Capitol on May 2, 2025, to close out the legislative session. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) Sen. Ron Sorvaag, R-Fargo, describes the Department of Water Resources budget bill as the Senate floor session stretches past midnight on May 3, 2025. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) Sen. Claire Cory, R-Grand Forks, talks to colleagues May 2, 2025, in the Senate chamber. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) Reps. Ben Koppelman, left, and Don Vigesaa visit in the hall of the Capitol on May 2, 2025. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) Democrats in the House and others play a game while waiting for the floor session to reconvene in the early morning hours of May 3, 2025. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) Sen. Josh Boschee and Rep. Jayme Davis pass time in the House chamber while waiting for floor sessions to reconvene early May 3, 2025. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) Rep. Cynthia Schreiber-Beck, from left, talks to Rep. Bob Martinson and Rep. Karen Karls on May 2, 2025, while waiting for the House to reconvene. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) Rep. Craig Headland, R-Montpelier, takes a break at his desk in the early morning hours of May 3, 2025, while waiting for the House to reconvene. Lawmakers adjourned after 4 a.m. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) The North Dakota Senate voted on its last bill of the 2025 session shortly before 4 a.m. May 3, 2025. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) Sen. Mike Dwyer, R-Bismarck, takes a break at the Capitol while waiting for the Senate to reconvene in the early morning hours of May 3, 2025. Lawmakers worked until after 4 a.m. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) Rep. Jeremy Olson, left, and Sen. Randy Burckhard visit in the hallway of the Capitol while waiting for floor sessions to reconvene on May 2, 2025. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) Senate Minority Leader Kathy Hogan gives closing remarks May 3, 2025, as the legislative session adjourns. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) Sens. Dale Patten, center, and Kristin Roers, left, join other members of the Senate as they applaud for Legislative Council staff. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) Sen. Steve Swiontek, right, says goodbye to Rep. David Richter early May 3, 2025, before the Legislature adjourned. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor) Sen. Judy Lee, R-West Fargo, hugs Gov. Kelly Armstrong as the Legislature adjourns early May 3, 2025. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor)
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jamestown mayor criticizes Legislature over property tax reform
May 8—JAMESTOWN — Mayor Dwaine Heinrich criticized the North Dakota Legislature for creating "chaos at the local level" over property tax reform while also touting the progress that has been made in Jamestown. Heinrich said the Legislature's passage of House Bill 1176 is "very positive action" and means millions of extra dollars for Jamestown residents. He said HB 1176 grants a $1,600 property tax buydown on every taxable primary residence in the state but also caps the amount local political subdivisions can raise levies at 3% yearly. "From a local political subdivision standpoint, the disappointing part of the property tax buydown discussion was the unnecessary false narrative surrounding the property tax issue and the blatant political pandering made part of the process," he said. "If political pandering were an Olympic event, some North Dakota legislators would be sporting shiny new gold medals, unless of course they were disqualified for the use of steroids or other performance enhancing drugs." Heinrich delivered the State of the City address on Thursday, May 8, at North Dakota Farmers Union. He criticized the passage of HB 1176 in its current form, expressed frustration with a housing development bill that failed and touted economic development in the Jamestown area in the past 47 years. Heinrich said the 3% cap on raising levies annually is not workable for the city of Jamestown. He said local political subdivisions will need to find other ways to raise money. Heinrich said the city of Jamestown receives about $5 million in property taxes for its general fund that is used by police, fire and municipal court. He said sometimes health insurance costs increase annually by 10%. "We have no control over the costs of police cars, fire equipment and other supplies that we must purchase," he said. "On these budgets, costs over which we have no control likely will exceed the 3% cap. This without any pay raises for employees or cost-of-living raises. A 3% cap for many political subdivisions across the state is simply going to create chaos for many of our cities who do not have access to large per-capita tax bases or other funds." Using approximate numbers, Heinrich said the city of Jamestown's per-capita value of taxable real property — which is fourth lowest in the state — is about $39,000 compared to the city of Wahpeton and $33,000 and the city of Bismarck at $66,000. He said Bismarck has the highest per capita value of taxable real property in the state while Wahpeton has the lowest. "It would follow that in Wahpeton the taxes or mill levies would have to be twice as high as in Bismarck to raise the same number of dollars per capita," he said. "Given that there is often an economy in scale, that puts even a greater burden on communities with lower population and lower property valuation per capita." Heinrich also said a recent article on property taxes shows North Dakota ranks 34th out of 50 states for property tax burden. When looking at the total tax burden per capita in the nation, North Dakota ranks 43rd, he said. Heinrich said the city of Jamestown received another setback in its attempt to develop residential lots with the Legislature killing Senate Bill 2225. "We are now back at the drawing board and we will continue until we are successful," he said. Senate Bill 2225 would have established the Housing for Opportunity, Mobility and Empowerment (HOME) grant program in the North Dakota Department of Commerce. The program would have provided grant dollars for one-third of the infrastructure costs for residential development projects. The local political subdivision and the developer of the residential lots would each provide one-third of the costs for residential development projects. Heinrich said the Jamestown/Stutsman Development Corp., the city of Jamestown and Stutsman County were proactive and approved potential funding to use the program. The JSDC Board of Directors had approved in March a forgivable loan of $1 million to the city of Jamestown that will be used as matching dollars for a grant program that helps create residential housing development. The funding was contingent on approval of Senate Bill 2225 in the state Legislature. Heinrich said one challenge for Jamestown is overcoming news by social media and negative comments about the city. He said some negative comments include Jamestown remaining the same for years and no new development going on. In his 47 years of living in Jamestown, he said the University of Jamestown has gone through a "remarkable" transformation, a new high school has been built, and the Jamestown Civic Center has become the host to state girls basketball tournaments. Heinrich said the I-94 Business Park in Jamestown and the Spiritwood Energy Park Association's industrial park at Spiritwood are also the result of positive forward-thinking individuals in the community. "All of these things did not happen by accident," he said. "They happened because of you." Moving forward, Heinrich said a large portion of aged infrastructure is getting replaced, including aged water lines and water mains. "Constantly failing water lines creates a huge expense to you, the city taxpayers, as it is very expensive to dig up and repair failed waterlines particularly during the winter months," he said. He said the city is fortunate to have expert grant writers who have helped Jamestown receive millions of collars for projects. He said the $9 million water main replacement project will be completed without using any locally generated tax dollars. Heinrich also said the Legislature revised the "Operation Prairie Dog" program. He said there isn't enough information on the changes to the program to fully understand the impacts to the city. "What I do understand is the Prairie Dog bucket was moved up in the oil funding stream to almost certainly guaranteed funds, but it looks to me that the guarantee will be about $3.5 million instead of the $5 million per biennium we have received the last couple of sessions," he said. Heinrich added that additional funding was added to the North Dakota Department of Transportation's budget that will go directly to cities and more grant funding might be available.
