Senate hearing on bill to tighten definition of "public‑spirited organization" draws opposition from CVBs and rural nonprofits

The Senate Judiciary Committee opened a hearing on Senate Bill 2035, which would amend statutory definitions used to determine which organizations may conduct charitable gaming and raffles in North Dakota.

The bill would amend the definition of “educational organization” and substantially revise the definition of “public‑spirited organization,” adding language that the entity must be “organized and operated not for pecuniary profit or gain, but for the primary purpose of improving or alleviating a condition of public concern within the state or conferring a direct benefit on the community at large.”

Senator Keith Bridal, who said he chaired the interim judiciary committee that drafted the changes, told the panel the interim group’s intent was to “put some guardrails” around charitable gaming so it “doesn’t just bleed out to become things that were not intended by the legislative body.” Legislative counsel Austin…