North Dakota Governor Signs Hundreds of Bills into Law | O'Keeffe O'Brien Lyson Attorneys

North Dakota Governor Signs Hundreds of Bills into Law

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The North Dakota Legislature recently presented hundreds of bills to Governor Doug Burgum. 439 bills were signed into the law by the governor, with a significant number of these bills going into effect on August 1st of this year. With such a great number of bills going into effect and with such a broad range of topics being touched upon by these bills, nearly every adult living in North Dakota is likely to feel the effects of one or more of these new laws in the near future.

List of Important Bills Signed into Law

Some of the more significant bills recently signed into law by the governor include:

  • Bills affecting concealed carry in North Dakota: It will now be easier to carry a concealed weapon in North Dakota thanks to House Bill 1169. This bill permits any individual who, law abiding, has a valid North Dakota driver’s license or identification card and has had such license or card for one year to carry a concealed weapon.
  • Bills impacting confidential informants in drug investigations: House Bill 1221, called “Andrew’s Law,” will require law enforcement officers to complete specialized training before being able to employ and utilize confidential informants in investigations (many of whom may be charged with criminal offenses themselves and offer to cooperate with officers in exchange for leniency in their own cases). The law aims to help provide potential informants with additional information about the risks of being an informant and legal counsel prior to deciding to be an informant.
  • Bills enhancing penalties for criminal behavior: Among the bills passed by the Legislature and signed into law by the governor are those that increase the criminal penalties for some behavior. House Bill 1311 increased the fine for highway littering from $100 to $500, and House Bill 1430 established a $100 for any form of distracted driving (not just texting), while committing another traffic offense or causing a crash.

These are just a small fraction of the new laws that are already affecting the lives of North Dakotans. While some of these laws may be quite popular and beneficial, passing so many laws at one time makes it difficult for individuals to either conform their behavior to them (in the case of new criminal laws) or take advantage of the new benefits and rights created by them.

Contact a North Dakota Lawyer Today

Your experienced North Dakota legal team at O’Keeffe O’Brien Lyson Attorneys are ready to assist you in navigating the new legal landscape of the state. Contact us to discuss your legal questions and needs, or call 701-235-8000 or 877-235-8002.