Legislature clarifies gun and campaign laws for governor's residence

The North Dakota Legislature convened on May 2, 2025, to discuss several key legislative items, including a notable bill concerning the governor's executive residence. The meeting focused on clarifying existing laws regarding the use of the governor's residence and the rights of the governor while living there.

The discussion began with an overview of the executive residence, which serves as the governor's home for the next four years. It was emphasized that while the residence belongs to the people, the governor and his family reside there. A significant point of contention arose from a previous law that prohibited firearms on state property. This led to a legislative change allowing university presidents and the governor to possess firearms in residences provided by the state.

The bill under consideration aimed to clarify the political campaigning restrictions currently in place. Presently, the law prohibits political campaigning on state property, which restricts the governor from engaging in political activities from his residence, such as making phone calls to solicit votes or donations. The proposed legislation seeks to exempt the governor's residence from this restriction, allowing him to conduct political activities from his home.

It was noted that the bill specifically pertains to the residential portion of the governor's home and does not extend to public areas. Additionally, there were concerns regarding the bill's retroactive application to address past violations, which were clarified to be unfounded. The effective date for the new law is set for January 1, 2026.

In conclusion, the meeting highlighted the legislature's efforts to adapt existing laws to better accommodate the governor's role while ensuring clarity on the use of state property for political purposes. Further discussions and votes on this bill and other legislative matters are anticipated in the coming sessions.