North DakotaSB 21672025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 29-26 and a new section to chapter 54-12 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the cost of digital forensic examinations and the establishment of an internet crime investigation fund; to provide a continuing appropriation; and to provide a penalty.

Sponsored By: Janne Myrdal (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.

New funding fights internet crimes against children

The law creates North Dakota’s Internet Crimes Investigation Fund, which receives digital examination fees and keeps interest it earns. The money is continuously available to the Attorney General without a new appropriation each budget cycle. Approved uses include technology hardware, software licenses, digital examination training, and internet safety presentations. These uses support law enforcement and organizations working to prevent technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation and internet crimes against children. The law sets no total funding amount.

Convicted people must repay digital exam costs

North Dakota courts must order people convicted of felonies or misdemeanors to repay digital examination costs as part of sentencing. This applies when a personal electronic device was examined to investigate and prosecute the crime. Repayment cannot exceed $100 per defendant. Covered devices allow wireless communication or electronic data retrieval, including phones, tablets, laptops, computers, and two-way messaging devices. All collected fees go to the state treasurer for deposit in the Internet Crimes Investigation Fund.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Janne Myrdal

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Nels Christianson

    Republican • House

  • Patrick R. Hatlestad

    Republican • House

  • Vicky Steiner

    Republican • House

  • Diane Larson

    Republican • Senate

  • Larry Luick

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 135 • No: 0

House vote • 3/14/2025

Second reading, passed, yeas 88 nays 0

Yes: 88 • No: 0

Senate vote • 1/16/2025

Second reading, passed, yeas 47 nays 0

Yes: 47 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Filed with Secretary Of State 03/20

    3/24/2025House
  2. Signed by Governor 03/20

    3/21/2025Senate
  3. Sent to Governor

    3/19/2025Senate
  4. Signed by President

    3/19/2025Senate
  5. Signed by Speaker

    3/19/2025House
  6. Returned to Senate

    3/17/2025Senate
  7. Second reading, passed, yeas 88 nays 0

    3/14/2025House
  8. Reported back, do pass, place on calendar 13 0 1

    3/13/2025House
  9. Committee Hearing 09:30

    3/12/2025House
  10. Introduced, first reading, referred Judiciary Committee

    2/13/2025House
  11. Received from Senate

    1/17/2025House
  12. Second reading, passed, yeas 47 nays 0

    1/16/2025Senate
  13. Reported back, do pass, place on calendar 7 0 0

    1/15/2025Senate
  14. Committee Hearing 08:30

    1/14/2025Senate
  15. Introduced, first reading, referred Judiciary Committee

    1/10/2025Senate

Bill Text

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