2025 69th Legislative Assembly Veteran & Military Bills That PASSED and FAILED
APPRECIATION/PATRIOTIC
- Hunting & Fishing: Amend disabled veteran $3 license fee eligibility from 100% disabled veteran to 50% or higher for
- Resident fishing license
- Combined general game, habitat stamp, small game, and fur-bearer license. (HB1147)
- May as Military Appreciation Month: Established May of each year. Governor to issue a proclamation each year. (HB 1148)
- POW/MIA Day: Amend to ensure Governor issues a proclamation that the third Friday in September of each year is Prisoner of War and Missing in Action Day. (HB1403)
- HUNTING AND FISHING:
- Exempt from Lottery: 100% disabled Veteran. (SB2199) FAILED HOUSE
- 701 Heroes Day: Establish each July 1 as “701 Heroes Day. Withdrawn by sponsor.
BURIAL AND MEMORIAL
- Veteran Memorial Bridges
- SPC Richard W. Orsund Vietnam Bridge located on HWY 18 in Walsh County. (HB1090)
- SPC David LaTraille Vietnam Bridge located on HWY 81 in Grafton. (HB1091)
- S/Sgt Miles Shelley WWII Overpass located on HWY 52 Carrington. (HB1092)
- SPC Jon P. Fettig Iraq Bridge located on HWY 22 in Dickinson. (HB1140)
- SPC Dennis “DJ” Ferderer Jr. Iraq Bridge located on HWY 31 near New Salem. (HB1178)
- LCDR Carl J. Woods Vietnam Bridge located on HWY 5 Bottineau. (HB1228)
- CPL Raymond Porter Korea Bridge located HWY 6 Morton County. (HB1426)
- PFC Henry Gurke memorial Highway: Highway 18 from Highway 5 to Canadian border (HB1212)
- WWII Medal of Honor recipient. US Marine Corps.
- USS Frank E. Evans (DD-754) Lost 74 Proclamation: To add names of the 74 sailors lost on 3 June 1969 to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. (HCR3005)
- Burial Medallion/Grave Marker: For National Guard and Reserve not otherwise eligible for federal medallion. No funding included. (HB 1293)
- Fargo National Cemetery Building: $3,000,000 grant for construction of building. (SB2265)
- State Veterans Cemetery: Increase state funding by $62,469 to $1,463,616. (HB 1016)
- Military Gallery at Heritage Center, Bismarck: Authority to accept and expend $39,094,524 in donated funds. Authority to request $20,000,000 line of credit at bank of ND. (HB 1018)
- Marvin Briss Vietnam Bridge: Glenfield-Sutton. Not introduced/withdrawn by Sponsor.
- Committee to name bridges for the fallen. To create committee. (HB1190) Withdrawn by sponsor.
- Remove fee for Veteran License Plates. (SB2344) FAILED
EDUCATION
- Dependent tuition waiver. Add veteran and use disability rating same as property tax credit. Not introduced/withdrawn by sponsor.
- Armed Forces Reserve Scholarship. (SB2170) FAILED
EMPLOYMENT/ENTREPRENEUR
- Veteran Owned business WSI Credit: $250 premium credit for first year employment 51% owned by veteran, Armed Forces, and current NDNG owned business. (SB 2046)
FINANCIAL
- Disabled Veteran Property Tax Credit: for taxable year 2025 raised from $8,100 ($180,000 F&T) to $9,000 Taxable Value ($200,000 F&T). (HB1176)
- Veteran organizations 501c19 eligible for special allocation hunting license: Organizations/posts can apply to lottery/raffle to receive hunting licenses available. License may be used as a fund raiser for the organizations. Elk, Moose, white tailed deer and antelope licenses as available. (HB1094)
- Veteran organizations use gaming for club expenses: May use up to 20 percent of net proceeds per quarter for cost of food, beverages, and operating expenses for the veteran organization’s club. (SB2288)
- Post War Trust Fund:
- Veteran Aid Loan: Raised loan limit allowed, per ACOVA discretion, from $5,000 to $8,000. (HB1135)
- Property tax credit for veterans:
- Vehicle registration waiver: No fee for veterans, military or NG members. Withdrawn by sponsor.
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
- Suicide Prevention-Not Veteran Specific: $500,000 in state funds for the 988 crisis hotline (SB2200)
- Insulin copay limit: Not Veteran Specific: Diabetic Drugs (Insulin) and Supplies copay limit to $25 per month. (HB1114)
- Transportation to VAMC
- Funding to NDDVA for purchase of 1 DAV Van during 2025-2027 biennium. (SB 2025)
- HBOT: Encourage congress to provide veterans with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy treatment for TBI, PTSD etc. (HCR3011)
HOUSING
- Veteran Homelessness Prevention and Elimination:
- Veterans Home: Spending authority from other funds and Melvin Norgard fund: $390,000 for Building maintenance, $175,000 for resident garages and storage unit construction, and $22,050 for misc. equipment. (SB 2007)
LAW AND POLICY CHANGE
- NDDVA commissioner to serve at the pleasure of Governor: Moved from ACOVA to Governor. (SB2025)
- Veterans Home Administrator appointed by Governor: Moved from Governing Board to Governor. (SB2025)
- Definition of a Veteran: Updated definition in ND Code verbiage to “Uniformed Services” which is in line with federal definition. (SB2198)
- Individual Unemployability definition: Update language in ND Century Code to match Federal VA for dependent tuition waiver, property tax credit, vehicle registration and excise tax. (HB1180)
LEGAL SERVICES
- Veterans treatment docket: May remove conviction and suspension from driving record. (HB1364)
NATIONAL GUARD AND MILITARY SPECIFIC
- NATIONAL GUARD:
- Death benefit: increased from $15,000 to $100,000. (HB1076)
- Definition of NG Security officer and firefighter. Housekeeping. (HB1077)
- Medical expenses on State Active Duty: Expanded to include follow up care after release from state active duty. (HB1078)
- NDNG may obtain training ground near Jamestown. (HB1520)
- Urge congress to recognize service in Honduras as service in area of hostility (HCR3007)
- State and Political Subdivision Employee leave for NG and Reserve service. Updated and eliminated need for 90 days employment prior to military leave. (SB2198)
- NDNG one time funding (HB1016)
- Camp Grafton Regional Training Institute improvements: $34 Million (Other Funds).
- Critical infrastructure $4.5 Million (other and state matching)
- Williston readiness center designing: $2.5 Million (other funds)
- Civil Air Patrol radio upgrade $206,426 (other funds)
- Line of communication bridge training site $3.674 Million (other funds)
- Dickinson readiness center $5.8 Million (other funds)
- Camp Grafton fitness facility $2 Million (other funds)
- Camp Grafton South Expansion of 6 thousand acres.
- National Guard deployed only by Congressional Declaration of War. (HB1315) FAILED
- Military compact: Physician assistant. (SB2108) FAILED
- Military:
A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the office of the adjutant general; and to provide an exemption.
- Budget
- National Guard Specific
A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the office of the adjutant general; and to provide an exemption.
- Budget
- National Guard Specific
A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the office of the adjutant general; and to provide an exemption.
- Budget
- National Guard Specific
A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact sections 37-01-03 and 37-01-43 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the operation and regulation of the North Dakota national guard.
- Law/Policy Change
- National Guard Specific
A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact sections 37-01-03 and 37-01-43 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the operation and regulation of the North Dakota national guard.
- Law/Policy Change
- National Guard Specific
A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact sections 37-01-03 and 37-01-43 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the operation and regulation of the North Dakota national guard.
- Law/Policy Change
- National Guard Specific
A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 37-01-48 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the payment of a death benefit to the beneficiary or next of kin of a member of the national guard who died while serving on state active duty; and to declare an emergency.
Intent of bill:
Raise death benefit from not to exceed "$15,000" to "$100,000".
A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 37-01-48 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the payment of a death benefit to the beneficiary or next of kin of a member of the national guard who died while serving on state active duty; and to declare an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTH DAKOTA:
SECTION 1. AMENDMENT. Section 37-01-48 of the North Dakota Century Code is amended and reenacted as follows:
37-01-48. Payment of death benefits. The national guard may pay a death benefit to a designated beneficiary, or to the next of kin, of a national guard service member who died while serving in a state active duty status under this chapter. The payment of a death benefit may not exceed fifteen thousand one hundred thousand dollars and is subject to available funds. The adjutant general may adopt rules to implement this section.
SECTION 2. EMERGENCY. This Act is declared to be an emergency measure.
- Financial
- National Guard Specific
A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 37-01-48 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the payment of a death benefit to the beneficiary or next of kin of a member of the national guard who died while serving on state active duty; and to declare an emergency.
Intent of bill:
Raise death benefit from not to exceed "$15,000" to "$100,000".
A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 37-01-48 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the payment of a death benefit to the beneficiary or next of kin of a member of the national guard who died while serving on state active duty; and to declare an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTH DAKOTA:
SECTION 1. AMENDMENT. Section 37-01-48 of the North Dakota Century Code is amended and reenacted as follows:
37-01-48. Payment of death benefits. The national guard may pay a death benefit to a designated beneficiary, or to the next of kin, of a national guard service member who died while serving in a state active duty status under this chapter. The payment of a death benefit may not exceed fifteen thousand one hundred thousand dollars and is subject to available funds. The adjutant general may adopt rules to implement this section.
SECTION 2. EMERGENCY. This Act is declared to be an emergency measure.
- Financial
- National Guard Specific
A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 37-01-48 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the payment of a death benefit to the beneficiary or next of kin of a member of the national guard who died while serving on state active duty; and to declare an emergency.
Intent of bill:
Raise death benefit from not to exceed "$15,000" to "$100,000".
A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 37-01-48 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the payment of a death benefit to the beneficiary or next of kin of a member of the national guard who died while serving on state active duty; and to declare an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTH DAKOTA:
SECTION 1. AMENDMENT. Section 37-01-48 of the North Dakota Century Code is amended and reenacted as follows:
37-01-48. Payment of death benefits. The national guard may pay a death benefit to a designated beneficiary, or to the next of kin, of a national guard service member who died while serving in a state active duty status under this chapter. The payment of a death benefit may not exceed fifteen thousand one hundred thousand dollars and is subject to available funds. The adjutant general may adopt rules to implement this section.
SECTION 2. EMERGENCY. This Act is declared to be an emergency measure.
- Financial
- National Guard Specific
A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact subsection 11 of section 54-52-01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the definition of national guard security officer and firefighter.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTH DAKOTA:
SECTION 1. AMENDMENT. Subsection 11 of section 54-52-01 of the North Dakota Century Code is amended and reenacted as follows:
11. "National guard security officer or firefighter" means a participating member who is:
a. A security police employee of the North Dakota national guard; or
b. A security officer employee of the North Dakota national guard; or
c. A firefighter employee of the North Dakota national guard.
- Law/Policy Change
- National Guard Specific
A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact subsection 11 of section 54-52-01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the definition of national guard security officer and firefighter.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTH DAKOTA:
SECTION 1. AMENDMENT. Subsection 11 of section 54-52-01 of the North Dakota Century Code is amended and reenacted as follows:
11. "National guard security officer or firefighter" means a participating member who is:
a. A security police employee of the North Dakota national guard; or
b. A security officer employee of the North Dakota national guard; or
c. A firefighter employee of the North Dakota national guard.
- Law/Policy Change
- National Guard Specific
A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact subsection 11 of section 54-52-01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the definition of national guard security officer and firefighter.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTH DAKOTA:
SECTION 1. AMENDMENT. Subsection 11 of section 54-52-01 of the North Dakota Century Code is amended and reenacted as follows:
11. "National guard security officer or firefighter" means a participating member who is:
a. A security police employee of the North Dakota national guard; or
b. A security officer employee of the North Dakota national guard; or
c. A firefighter employee of the North Dakota national guard.
- Law/Policy Change
- National Guard Specific
A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 37-01-44 of the North Dakota Century Code,
relating to the reimbursement of certain medical expenses for North Dakota national guard
members; and to declare an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTH DAKOTA:
SECTION 1. AMENDMENT. Section 37-01-44 of the North Dakota Century Code is
amended and reenacted as follows:
37-01-44. Reimbursement of certain medical expenses for North Dakota national guard members while on state active duty.
The North Dakota national guard is authorized to pay medical expenses for national guard members who are called to state active duty when the member sustains an injury or illness that is found to have occurred within the line of duty and is not covered by workforce safety and insurance and when such treatment occurred while on state active duty. Payments shall be made only for costs not covered by other health insurance. Coverage of qualifying medical expenses is subject to rules set forth by the office of the adjutant general and subject to available funds.
SECTION 2. EMERGENCY. This Act is declared to be an emergency measure.
- Financial
- Health & Wellbeing
- National Guard Specific
A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 37-01-44 of the North Dakota Century Code,
relating to the reimbursement of certain medical expenses for North Dakota national guard
members; and to declare an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTH DAKOTA:
SECTION 1. AMENDMENT. Section 37-01-44 of the North Dakota Century Code is
amended and reenacted as follows:
37-01-44. Reimbursement of certain medical expenses for North Dakota national guard members while on state active duty.
The North Dakota national guard is authorized to pay medical expenses for national guard members who are called to state active duty when the member sustains an injury or illness that is found to have occurred within the line of duty and is not covered by workforce safety and insurance and when such treatment occurred while on state active duty. Payments shall be made only for costs not covered by other health insurance. Coverage of qualifying medical expenses is subject to rules set forth by the office of the adjutant general and subject to available funds.
SECTION 2. EMERGENCY. This Act is declared to be an emergency measure.
- Financial
- Health & Wellbeing
- National Guard Specific
A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 37-01-44 of the North Dakota Century Code,
relating to the reimbursement of certain medical expenses for North Dakota national guard
members; and to declare an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTH DAKOTA:
SECTION 1. AMENDMENT. Section 37-01-44 of the North Dakota Century Code is
amended and reenacted as follows:
37-01-44. Reimbursement of certain medical expenses for North Dakota national guard members while on state active duty.
The North Dakota national guard is authorized to pay medical expenses for national guard members who are called to state active duty when the member sustains an injury or illness that is found to have occurred within the line of duty and is not covered by workforce safety and insurance and when such treatment occurred while on state active duty. Payments shall be made only for costs not covered by other health insurance. Coverage of qualifying medical expenses is subject to rules set forth by the office of the adjutant general and subject to available funds.
SECTION 2. EMERGENCY. This Act is declared to be an emergency measure.
- Financial
- Health & Wellbeing
- National Guard Specific
A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 24-01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to designating the bridge on state highway 18 as the Specialist 4 Richard W. Orsund Vietnam bridge; to provide a continuing appropriation; and to declare an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTH DAKOTA:
SECTION 1. A new section to chapter 24-01 of the North Dakota Century Code is created and enacted as follows:
Specialist 4 Richard W. Orsund Vietnam bridge - State highway 18 – Continuing appropriation.
The department shall designate the bridge on state highway 18 between the junction of sixty-ninth street northeast and the junction of seventieth street northeast as the Specialist 4 Richard W. Orsund Vietnam bridge and shall place signs along the highway designating that name. The department may accept any appropriate signs or funds donated to the department for the placement of signs. Any donated funds are appropriated to the department on a continuing basis for the purpose of providing signs designating the bridge on state highway 18 as the Specialist 4 Richard W. Orsund Vietnam bridge.
SECTION 2. EMERGENCY. This Act is declared to be an emergency measure.
- Burial & Memorial
- Burial & Memorial: Bridge, Roadway
A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 24-01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to designating the bridge on state highway 18 as the Specialist 4 Richard W. Orsund Vietnam bridge; to provide a continuing appropriation; and to declare an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTH DAKOTA:
SECTION 1. A new section to chapter 24-01 of the North Dakota Century Code is created and enacted as follows:
Specialist 4 Richard W. Orsund Vietnam bridge - State highway 18 – Continuing appropriation.
The department shall designate the bridge on state highway 18 between the junction of sixty-ninth street northeast and the junction of seventieth street northeast as the Specialist 4 Richard W. Orsund Vietnam bridge and shall place signs along the highway designating that name. The department may accept any appropriate signs or funds donated to the department for the placement of signs. Any donated funds are appropriated to the department on a continuing basis for the purpose of providing signs designating the bridge on state highway 18 as the Specialist 4 Richard W. Orsund Vietnam bridge.
SECTION 2. EMERGENCY. This Act is declared to be an emergency measure.
- Burial & Memorial
- Burial & Memorial: Bridge, Roadway
A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 24-01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to designating the bridge on state highway 18 as the Specialist 4 Richard W. Orsund Vietnam bridge; to provide a continuing appropriation; and to declare an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTH DAKOTA:
SECTION 1. A new section to chapter 24-01 of the North Dakota Century Code is created and enacted as follows:
Specialist 4 Richard W. Orsund Vietnam bridge - State highway 18 – Continuing appropriation.
The department shall designate the bridge on state highway 18 between the junction of sixty-ninth street northeast and the junction of seventieth street northeast as the Specialist 4 Richard W. Orsund Vietnam bridge and shall place signs along the highway designating that name. The department may accept any appropriate signs or funds donated to the department for the placement of signs. Any donated funds are appropriated to the department on a continuing basis for the purpose of providing signs designating the bridge on state highway 18 as the Specialist 4 Richard W. Orsund Vietnam bridge.
SECTION 2. EMERGENCY. This Act is declared to be an emergency measure.
- Burial & Memorial
- Burial & Memorial: Bridge, Roadway
A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 24-01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to designating the bridge on United States highway 81 as the Specialist 4 David LaTraille Vietnam bridge; to provide a continuing appropriation; and to declare an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTH DAKOTA:
SECTION 1. A new section to chapter 24-01 of the North Dakota Century Code is created and enacted as follows:
Specialist 4 David LaTraille Vietnam bridge - United States highway 81 – Continuing appropriation.
The department shall designate the bridge on United States highway 81 in Grafton between the junction of park street and the junction of Cashel street as the Specialist 4 David LaTraille Vietnam bridge and shall place signs along the highway designating that name. The department may accept any appropriate signs or funds donated to the department for the placement of signs. Any donated funds are appropriated to the department on a continuing basis for the purpose of providing signs designating the bridge on United States highway 81 as the Specialist 4 David LaTraille Vietnam bridge.
SECTION 2. EMERGENCY. This Act is declared to be an emergency measure.
- Burial & Memorial
- Burial & Memorial: Bridge, Roadway