Votes at a glance: Senate approves a package of bills on coal tax, plates, water boards, human trafficking education and more

The Senate considered and passed multiple bills with floor action and final tallies as summarized below. Most measures received routine floor consideration; where the Senate adopted House amendments or conference committee reports, that action is noted.

House Bill 1279 — partial exemption from coal conversion tax and lignite research tax: Senator Weber said the bill requires certain coal producers to begin paying 50% of the coal conversion tax from June 30, 2026, through June 30, 2029, with allocations to the Legacy Fund and subsequent changes after 2029. The Appropriations Committee reported a 15–1 due pass recommendation. Final tally: 45 yeas, 2 nays; bill passed.

Senate Bill 23 80 — liability for commercial entities that publish or distribute material harmful to a minor: Returned from the House with a small House amendment; the chamber concurred and the Senate gave final passage with a 47–0 tally. Engrossing language creates a new section in chapter 51-07 of the North Dakota Century Code addressing commercial entity liability and penalty provisions as printed on the journal.

Senate Bill 22 76 — joint water resource boards: The bill amends joint exercise-of-powers provisions to mandate formation of joint water resource boards for projects affecting two or more counties. Sponsors said changes aim to improve cooperation and efficient use of funds for construction and maintenance. Final tally: 47 yeas, 0 nays; bill passed.

Senate Bill 2,070 — long-term care resident rights update: The conference committee reported a primarily grammatical set of House amendments plus a clarification on refund timelines for overpayments at long-term care facilities. The Senate adopted the conference committee report and then passed the bill 47–0.

Senate Bill 21 33 — blackout license plates: The conference committee settled on a $25 per registration fee with no initial $15 fee; fiscal note indicates an approximate $1,000,000 fiscal impact. Sponsor described the plate as a black plate with contrasting white font. Final tally on passage: 39 yeas, 8 nays; bill passed.

Senate Bill 23 30 — human trafficking and exploitation prevention education in schools: Conference committee reinstated human trafficking education with funding through a grant held by the Attorney General's Office rather than the struck $48,000 appropriation. The committee narrowed the grades to be taught (grades 6, 10 and 12) and limited the program to public schools; the AG's office has a $685,000 grant to fund the effort per floor remarks. Final tally: 47 yeas, 0 nays; bill passed.

Senate Bill 21 80 — public-comment policy for public entities: Conference committee reconciled chamber differences on when public comment must be allowed; the final language requires a minimum ability to comment on agenda items from the current and preceding meeting and allows political subdivisions to craft policies within set limits. The Senate passed the bill 43 yeas, 4 nays; some senators expressed concerns about operational burdens on political subdivisions.

Senate Bill 21 12 — Life Skills and Transition Center amendments: The bill clarifies use of the Life Skills and Transition Center as a short-term (90-day) safety net for individuals whose behavioral needs exceed other settings, adds a study and includes a sunset tied to the next legislative session. Final tally: 36 yeas, 11 nays; bill passed.

Senate Bill 22 82 — employer childcare contribution tax credit: Conference committee increased the employer tax-credit rate and adjusted per-employer and per-child limits to encourage employer participation. Final tally: 47 yeas, 0 nays; bill passed.

These bills were read into the record with engrossing language or conference committee reports as noted and will proceed per legislative process.