All Roll Calls
Yes: 159 • No: 23
North DakotaSB 23822025 Regular SessionSenate
AN ACT to create and enact a new chapter to title 28 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to vexatious litigation; and to declare an emergency.
Sponsored By: Jonathan Sickler (Republican)
Became Law
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Statewide tracking of prefiling orders
Clerks must send copies of prefiling orders to the state court administrator and to each U.S. district court in the state. The state court administrator keeps a roster of people under these orders. One prefiling order controls across North Dakota courts because it overrides other state orders that limit filing.
Filing limits for vexatious litigants
If you are under a prefiling order, you must get a judge’s permission before filing any new case or document. The court can require money up front to cover the other side’s reasonable fees and costs. Filings made without permission can be dismissed, and violations can be punished as contempt. Clerks do not accept your filings without an order; if one is filed by mistake, any party may file a notice, which stays the case and it is dismissed unless you get permission within 10 days. Someone served with an unfiled complaint does not need to respond until an order allowing filing is served. Courts rule on permission to file before taking up the merits. If you are self‑represented and declared vexatious, you cannot e‑file and must file on paper.
How courts label vexatious litigants
The law defines vexatious conduct and who counts as a vexatious litigant. A judge may propose a prefiling order and must give 14 days to respond, and may hold a hearing before a final order. The state supreme court can use the same process in appeals. You can appeal a prefiling order made by a presiding judge. A supreme court prefiling order and a denial of permission to file are not appealable.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Jonathan Sickler
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Mike Lefor
Republican • House
David Hogue
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/25/2025
Second reading, passed, yeas 42 nays 2, Emergency clause carried
Yes: 42 • No: 2
House vote • 3/20/2025
Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 72 nays 21
Yes: 72 • No: 21
Senate vote • 2/18/2025
Second reading, passed, yeas 45 nays 0
Yes: 45 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Filed with Secretary Of State 03/31
4/1/2025HouseSigned by Governor 03/28
3/31/2025SenateSent to Governor
3/27/2025SenateSigned by President
3/27/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
3/27/2025HouseSecond reading, passed, yeas 42 nays 2, Emergency clause carried
3/25/2025SenateConcurred
3/25/2025SenateReturned to Senate (12)
3/21/2025SenateEmergency clause carried
3/20/2025HouseSecond reading, passed as amended, yeas 72 nays 21
3/20/2025HouseAmendment adopted, placed on calendar
3/19/2025HouseReported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 7 6 1
3/18/2025HouseCommittee Hearing 02:46
3/17/2025HouseCommittee Hearing 10:00
3/5/2025HouseIntroduced, first reading, referred Judiciary Committee
2/21/2025HouseReceived from Senate
2/19/2025HouseSecond reading, passed, yeas 45 nays 0
2/18/2025SenateAmendment adopted, placed on calendar
2/13/2025SenateReported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 6 0 1
2/12/2025SenateCommittee Hearing 10:00
2/11/2025SenateIntroduced, first reading, referred Judiciary Committee
1/27/2025Senate
Bill Text
Adopted by the Senate Judiciary Committee
Enrollment
FIRST ENGROSSMENT
FIRST ENGROSSMENT with House Amendments
INTRODUCED
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Representative Klemin
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