The proposed amendments to House Bill No. aim to restructure the North Dakota Gaming Commission by redefining its composition. The commission will now include the governor or their designee as chairman, four members appointed by the governor with Senate consent, and two additional members appointed by legislative leaders. The appointed members will serve staggered two-year terms, and new eligibility criteria will emphasize residency and character requirements. The commission is also required to meet quarterly and adopt rules to ensure fair gaming practices and compliance with state laws.

In addition to changes in the commission's structure, the bill enhances the authority of the attorney general in gaming regulation. It grants the attorney general the power to inspect gaming sites, seize items for examination, and access financial records. The attorney general can initiate civil actions to collect overdue fees and impose fines for regulatory violations, with a requirement to refer evidence of potential violations to the gaming commission. The bill also allows individuals to appeal the attorney general's orders to the office of administrative hearings, which must conduct hearings within thirty days. Furthermore, it appropriates $25,000 from the general fund to support the gaming commission's operations for the 2025-2027 biennium and establishes a timeline for the termination and staggered terms of current commission members.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 53-01-02, 53-01-03, 53-01-07, 53-01-09, 53-01-19, 53-06.1-01, 53-06.1-01.1, 53-06.1-03, 53-06.1-06, 53-06.1-10, 53-06.1-11, 53-06.1-11.2, 53-06.1-12, 53-06.1-12.3, 53-06.1-12.4, 53-06.1-14, 53-06.1-15.1, 53-06.2-01, 53-06.2-04, 53-06.2-04.1, 53-06.2-07, 53-06.2-10.1, 53-12.1-01, 53-12.1-02, 53-12.1-03, 53-12.1-04, 53-12.1-09, 53-12.1-11, 53-12.1-13
Adopted by the House Judiciary Committee: 53-06.1-01.1, 53-06.1-15.1
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 53-06.1-01.1, 53-06.1-15.1
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Representative Koppelman: 53-06.1-01.1, 53-06.1-15.1