All Roll Calls
Yes: 227 • No: 0
North DakotaHB 14292025 Regular SessionHouse
AN ACT to amend and reenact sections 12.1-17-07 and 12.1-17-07.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to harassment and stalking with a robot; and to provide a penalty.
Sponsored By: Dawson Holle (Republican)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
New rules against harassment using robots
North Dakota makes offensive robot use a class B misdemeanor when it has no legitimate purpose and intends to frighten or harass someone. Robots include drones, related hardware and software, communication links, and artificial intelligence. The harassment law also covers written or electronic threats against a person, reputation, or property, and false statements causing mental anguish. It prohibits anonymous or offensively coarse phone calls, plus repeated calls or electronic messages with no legitimate purpose. Repeated contact can count even without a conversation. Electronic messages count as writing, and the offense location can be where they are sent or received. Threats and certain other listed offenses are class A misdemeanors; remaining harassment offenses are class B misdemeanors.
Stalking rules cover robots and tracking
North Dakota stalking law covers a pattern of at least two acts, including acts using a directly controlled robot. The intentional pattern must target a specific person, frighten, intimidate, or harass them, and serve no legitimate purpose. It must also frighten, intimidate, or harass a reasonable person; targeting the person's immediate family can count. Family includes a spouse, parent, child, sibling, or someone living in the household now or within the past six months. Unauthorized tracking through robots, GPS, or other electronic means also counts when it meets the reasonable-person test and has no legitimate purpose. Lack of notice that contact was unwanted, or lack of intent to frighten, intimidate, or harass, is not a defense. Contact attempts or following after actual notice serve as initial evidence of intent to stalk. Licensed private investigators and peace officers have a defense when acting within their jobs, and courts must exclude activity they find constitutionally protected. Stalking is a class A misdemeanor, rising to a class C felony for a prior stalking conviction, specified prior offenses against the victim, or violation of a domestic violence protective order after proper notice.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Dawson Holle
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Mike Brandenburg
Republican • House
Gretchen Dobervich
Democratic • House
Craig Headland
Republican • House
Donna Henderson
Republican • House
Ben Koppelman
Republican • House
Bill Tveit
Republican • House
Randy D. Lemm
Republican • Senate
Jeffery J. Magrum
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/15/2025
Second reading, passed, yeas 91 nays 0
Yes: 91 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/4/2025
Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 45 nays 0
Yes: 45 • No: 0
House vote • 2/24/2025
Second reading, passed, yeas 91 nays 0
Yes: 91 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Filed with Secretary Of State 04/22
4/24/2025HouseSigned by Governor 04/21
4/23/2025HouseSent to Governor
4/21/2025HouseSigned by Speaker
4/21/2025HouseSigned by President
4/17/2025SenateSecond reading, passed, yeas 91 nays 0
4/15/2025HouseConcurred
4/15/2025HouseReturned to House (12)
4/7/2025HouseSecond reading, passed as amended, yeas 45 nays 0
4/4/2025SenateAmendment adopted, placed on calendar
4/2/2025SenateReported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 6 0 0
4/1/2025SenateCommittee Hearing 11:15
3/20/2025SenateIntroduced, first reading, referred Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee
3/7/2025SenateReceived from House
2/25/2025SenateSecond reading, passed, yeas 91 nays 0
2/24/2025HouseAmendment adopted, placed on calendar
2/21/2025HouseReported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 13 0 1
2/20/2025HouseCommittee Hearing 08:30
1/24/2025HouseIntroduced, first reading, referred Agriculture Committee
1/13/2025House
Bill Text
Enrollment
FIRST ENGROSSMENT
FIRST ENGROSSMENT with Senate Amendments
INTRODUCED
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Representative Holle
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Senator Myrdal
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