North Dakota House advances package of bills on pesticides, education, transit and licensing; multiple measures pass

BISMARCK, N.D. — The North Dakota House of Representatives voted on a broad slate of measures on March 19, 2025, approving bills that update pesticide certification standards, rewrite veterinary practice law, expand school accreditation options, fund city transit services and authorize a new “blackout” license plate, among other actions.

The session produced several contested roll-call votes. Lawmakers debated changes that would align the state’s pesticide certification with federal Environmental Protection Agency requirements and considered objections about impacts on small farmers. Separately, members discussed a proposal to allow a solid-black vehicle license plate option after receiving testimony from law enforcement and stakeholders.

Why it matters: the package touches multiple everyday services and regulatory codes — from how restricted-use herbicides may be applied, to how public schools may choose accreditation, to funding for fixed-route transit systems — with implications for farmers, schools, nonprofits and motorists across the state.

Senate Bill 2086 — pesticide certification standards

The House amended and passed Senate Bill 2086, a statutory update to Chapter 4.1-33 of the North Dakota Century Code to revise pesticide certification standards and related sections of state law to conform with federal EPA directives. The bill was presented to the chamber by Representative Kiefer and recommended by the House Agriculture Committee. Representative Fraley raised concerns about how the bill’s language on supervision of restricted-use pesticides would affect small and family farms, saying weekend helpers or family members who traditionally assist with spraying could be restricted under the new supervision language. Representative Belz described the bill as a compromise that narrowed the regulation to herbicides and noted the state’s interest in working with the EPA rather than resisting changes.

Final vote: 68 yea, 25 nay. (Passed)

Senate Bill 2129 — veterinary medicine and veterinary technology

Lawmakers approved an extensive rewrite of Chapter 43-29 of the North Dakota Century Code governing the practice of veterinary medicine and veterinary technology. The measure, carried to the floor by Representative S. Olson and recommended by the agriculture committee, updates definitions, clarifies a veterinarian-client-patient relationship, revises board duties and licensing, adds a veterinary telemedicine section that requires an in-person visit before telemedicine services, and lists specialized or holistic trades that are not regulated as veterinary practice.

Final vote: 92 yea, 1 nay. (Passed)

Senate Bill 2369 — sales tax exemption for nonprofits in public venues

Representative Esta explained that Senate Bill 2369 would remove a discrepancy that currently exempts revenue from taxable sales for nonprofit events held in private venues but not those held in public facilities when net receipts exceed $10,000. The bill would make the exemption apply regardless of venue when nonprofits pay fair-market rent. Opponents argued the change could put public venues in competition with private businesses. The finance and taxation committee recommended a due-pass.

Final vote: 67 yea, 26 nay. (Passed)

Senate Bill 2217 — dental board, licensing and practice changes

The House approved a package of technical and substantive updates to dental licensing and board procedures intended to modernize operations, ease workforce pressures and improve access to care. Key changes include streamlined volunteer licensing, allowing licensed dental hygienists (under direct dentist supervision) to administer block anesthetics to minors, adjusting quorum language on the board, and extending renewal deadlines for hardship cases.

Final vote: 92 yea, 1 nay. (Passed)

Senate Bill 2254 — fixed-route city transit grants

Lawmakers approved an appropriation to provide $2,000,000 for fixed-route city transit systems to support paratransit services and other needs in the state’s larger cities. The bill was carried by Representative Koppelman and recommended by the transportation and appropriations committees.

Final vote: 88 yea, 5 nay. (Passed)

Senate Bill 2133 — blackout license plates

The House passed legislation authorizing a blackout plate option (solid black background with white lettering) for passenger vehicles, trucks up to 20,000 pounds and motorcycles. Supporters cited examples from other states and testimony from law enforcement that blackout plates are visible and readable; some members, particularly from border districts, voiced concerns about distinguishing out-of-state plates. Committee presenters provided fiscal estimates and eligibility counts used in the estimate.

Final vote: 86 yea, 7 nay. (Passed)

Senate Bill 2362 — school accreditation options

Lawmakers approved a bill that gives public schools a choice of accreditation pathways: either a state-defined process administered by the superintendent of public instruction or nationally recognized accreditors approved by the superintendent. The measure requires any chosen accreditation process to meet or exceed state standards and shifts related costs to districts that choose a nonstate option.

Final vote: 91 yea, 1 nay. (Passed)

Senate Bill 2238 — sealing eviction records under criteria

The House passed a measure creating a process for sealing eviction records under strict criteria, including a seven-year waiting period and requirements to resolve unpaid rent or damage claims. The bill also provides a path for victims of domestic violence to seek sealing of eviction records in certain circumstances.

Final vote: 88 yea, 5 nay. (Passed)

Senate Bill 2149 — school construction assistance revolving loan fund (Air Force base schools)

The House approved a change to allow schools located on Air Force bases to access funds from the school construction assistance revolving loan fund, including a 2 percent loan mechanism intended to help meet federal-local match timing and requirements; an emergency clause carried with the measure.

Final vote: 93 yea, 0 nay. (Passed; emergency clause carried)

House Bill 1497 — amendments concurred, final passage

The House concurred with Senate amendments to House Bill 1497 (age requirements and related provisions for the “best in class” program) and later gave final passage to the measure.

Final vote: 79 yea, 14 nay. (Passed)

Votes at a glance (selected measures)

- SB 2086 (pesticide certification standards): Passed 68–25. - SB 2129 (veterinary medicine rewrite): Passed 92–1. - SB 2369 (nonprofit sales-tax exemption parity): Passed 67–26. - SB 2217 (dental practice/licensing updates): Passed 92–1. - SB 2254 (fixed-route transit grants, $2,000,000): Passed 88–5. - SB 2133 (blackout license plates): Passed 86–7. - SB 2362 (school accreditation options): Passed 91–1. - SB 2238 (sealing eviction records): Passed 88–5. - SB 2149 (school construction loan fund access for base schools — up to $20,000,000 at 2% for local match): Passed 93–0 (emergency clause carried). - HB 1497 (best-in-class program eligibility changes): Passed 79–14.

What lawmakers directed or debated

Several bills prompted substantive member questions and requests for clarification rather than changes to the final measures. On SB 2086 (pesticide certification), Representative Fraley pressed how direct-supervision language would affect small and family farms where household members or weekend helpers assist with spraying. Representative Belz described the committee’s compromise narrowing language to herbicides and urged cooperation with the EPA. On SB 2133 (blackout plates), members questioned plate visibility across state lines; testimony from law enforcement and a former patrol officer was cited in support of the bill.

Next steps

Bills that passed will proceed as required by legislative and executive processes; the transcript records passage and emergency clause actions where applicable. Several administrative and referral motions were also approved during the session (for example, re-referral of Senate Bill 2052 to the Government and Veterans Affairs Committee). The House adjourned until 1:15 p.m. March 20, 2025.

Ending details

The House recorded a quorum (93 present, 1 absent) at roll call. The chamber also approved routine procedural motions including temporary suspensions of certain house rules and appointment of conference committees where the House refused to concur with Senate amendments on several measures.