The North Dakota 69th Legislative Assembly adjourned Wednesday for crossover break, having addressed several major issues related to property tax relief, energy and agriculture, education, housing and workforce.

Out of the nearly 1,100 bills introduced this session, approximately 700 made it through crossover and we are seeing great progress in areas that strengthen our communities, support families, and drive economic growth.

Housing and property tax relief and reform remain critical to achieving these goals. Efforts to streamline the rental process, increase the primary residence tax credit, and caps on property tax increases and valuation adjustments, will help to ensure that individuals and families have access to housing without unnecessary financial barriers.

Education and workforce development are also key to future growth. We passed initiatives that expand career pathways, improve access to high-demand job training, and enhance learning opportunities for students. We also invested in childcare tax credits to help working parents stay in the workforce while ensuring their children have access to quality care. We also passed initiatives to recruit and retain workers in essential fields like healthcare, education, and skilled trades. By modernizing education policies and expanding workforce training, the state is investing in future generations and addressing long-term economic needs.

North Dakota continues to attract business and investment due to our energy and agricultural resources. That is why we passed a one-time grant program to expand natural gas distribution in rural communities, ensuring reliable energy access for all. We also established an energy impact grant fund that helps communities manage the impacts of energy development, while providing a tax incentive to encourage new oil development outside the Bakken and Three Forks formations, supporting sustained growth in our oil production. We also passed bills to provide grants for value-added agriculture projects. These programs leverage state dollars in a way that diversifies our economy while bringing true economic benefit to our farmers and our rural communities.

Our communities can’t thrive without public safety and first responder support. That is why we increased funding for training, expanded benefits for families of fallen heroes, and strengthened penalties for dangerous crimes. These efforts reinforce North Dakota’s commitment to building safe, prosperous communities while ensuring that essential services and resources remain accessible.

Finally, North Dakota is proud to be ranked among the top five military-friendly states, but we remain committed to becoming #1. This legislative session, we’ve taken meaningful steps to honor our service members, support military families, and ensure their sacrifices are never forgotten. In addition to honoring the legacy of our service members, we increased financial support for veterans’ organizations and for families of those who make the ultimate sacrifice.

As we start the second half of the 69th Legislative Session, we look forward to crafting policy and managing resources for the benefit of our citizens. We are fortunate to enjoy the quality of life that we do in North Dakota and thankful for the people across our state that make it happen.