Minot - The Minot Chamber EDC hosted a legislative forum at the North Dakota State Fair Center, giving area lawmakers the opportunity to update the public on key developments from the 2025 legislative session. Attendees also had the chance to submit questions through forum moderator Mark Lyman.
The forum was well-attended by a number of local legislators who represent the Minot area and surrounding districts. Those in attendance included Rep. Jeff Hoverson (R-Minot, District 3), Sen. Bob Paulson (R-Minot, District 3), Sen. Randy Burckhard (R-Minot, District 5), Sen. Paul Thomas (R-Velva, District 6), Rep. Scott Louser (R-Minot, District 5), Rep. Dan Ruby (R-Minot, District 38), Rep. Christina Wolff (R-Minot, District 38), Rep. Matt Ruby (R-Minot, District 40), Rep. Macy Bolinske (R-Minot, District 40), and Sen. Jose Castaneda (R-Minot, District 40). Also, in attendance was Rep. Brandy Pyle (R-Casselton, District 22) who was at the State Fair Center for an archery event.
Term Limits:
One of the questions raised during the forum addressed SR4008, a resolution proposing changes to legislative term limits established by a 2022 constitutional amendment approved by voters. Under the current rules, lawmakers are limited to serving eight years in the House and eight years in the Senate, allowing for a potential total of 16 years if they serve in both chambers. SR4008 seeks to revise that structure by capping total legislative service at 16 years combined, regardless of whether time is spent in the House, the Senate, or both.
Representative Dan Ruby explained that the resolution could address challenges that arise when a legislator passes away or resigns mid-term. “There’s a real problem when people either resign for one reason or another or pass away, like what happened—that whoever is the replacement is really shorted on the amount of terms that they would be able to serve,” Ruby said. “It still keeps the 16 years cap that the voters express their desire to have. So I, I think it’s all right and it is up to the voters to change it.”
Property Taxes:
Another major topic of discussion was property taxes. Currently, three bills—HB1168, HB1176, and HB1575—are being considered in the legislature with the goal of delivering property tax relief and reform for North Dakotans. HB1176, known as the Governor’s bill, proposes a $1,450 tax credit for primary residences and places a 3% cap on the property tax revenue growth of local political subdivisions.
“There are flaws in that bill, in my opinion, one of them being keeping the caps on school districts, which have a hard cap of mills,” Representative Louser stated.
Louser emphasized that for real impact to be achieved, both HB1176 and HB1168 would need to pass.
HB1168, if amended, would establish a 6% cap based on the local Consumer Price Index, plus an additional 1% for local political subdivisions. It would also include a 30-mill buydown across all property types.
The next Minot Legislative Forum will take place the North Dakota State Fairgrounds on April 5.
