The North Dakota House on a unanimous 93-0 vote passed House Bill 1053, a bill to amend Section 24-01-01.2 of the North Dakota Century Code so that the statutory percentage calculation for the length of the state highway system is removed while retaining an absolute mileage cap of 7,700 miles.

The change was offered after the Transportation Committee, speaking for the Department of Transportation's request, said different methods of computing public-road mileage produced conflicting results and prompted reliance on a nearly 100-year-old precedence method. "This method, however, conflicts with locally and federally reported information," Representative Dressler, committee bill carrier, told the House. The committee recommended passage by a 14-0 vote.

The bill preserves the existing annual addition cap — the Century Code still limits additions to the state highway system to 50 miles per calendar year — and removes only the percentage-based calculation from Section 24-01-01.2. Representative Dressler said the DOT reported a current system length of "7,415 miles" as of 2022, noting that under the retained 7,700-mile cap the state would have room to add a small number of miles over coming years.

During floor questions, Representative Nelson asked how many miles would be available for the DOT to convert to state highways after the change; Dressler replied with the department's reported mileage and reminded members that the 50-mile annual cap remains in statute. Representative Christie asked why the state retains any cap; Dressler responded that each additional mile adds ongoing maintenance costs and that the cap ensures oversight when the DOT seeks system additions.

The clerk recorded a final vote of 93 ayes and 0 nays; House Bill 1053 was declared passed.