Committee backs bill to raise felony class for DUI causing serious bodily injury

BISMARCK — The House Transportation Committee voted to recommend House Bill 1503, which would raise the felony classification for driving under the influence that causes serious bodily injury, increasing the maximum sentence available to judges.

Representative Macy Balinski, R‑Minot, the bill sponsor, said the change would allow a judge to sentence up to 10 years where the current maximum is five. "If an individual is left disabled from a DUI accident, that perpetrator can only be sentenced to 5 years and is oftentimes sentenced to even less," Balinski told the committee. The bill also adds one day to a one‑year minimum to align with Century Code phrasing for class B felonies.

Family members who testified described long‑term impacts. Brianna Weeks, testifying as the mother of a severely injured victim, described operations, months of inpatient rehabilitation and ongoing therapies after a head‑on collision. "This was a choice," Weeks said. "Under North Dakota's current law, the individual responsible for this tragedy faced a maximum sentence of just 5 years." Taylor Christiansen, who identified herself as Miss North Dakota's Teen, also testified in support; both urged the committee to recommend a due pass.

Committee members asked whether the bill was aimed at first offenses that result in bodily injury; Balinski and witnesses said the bill targets cases where the DUI produced serious, lasting harm and would prevent such offenses from being reduced to misdemeanors.

Representative Johnston moved a due‑pass recommendation, seconded by Representative Freilich. The committee recommended the bill advance; the clerk recorded the motion as carried with 13 yes votes and one member absent.

The bill will proceed to the House calendar for further consideration.