AN ACT to amend and reenact section 37-01-48 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the payment of a death benefit to the beneficiary or next of kin of a member of the national guard who died while serving on state active duty; and to declare an emergency.
Summary
HB 1076 amends North Dakota law governing death benefits for National Guard members who die while serving in a state active duty status. Under the bill, the National Guard may pay a death benefit to a designated beneficiary or, if none is designated, to the member’s next of kin. The bill also authorizes the Adjutant General to adopt rules to carry out the program.
The measure increases the maximum possible benefit from $15,000 to $100,000 and specifies that payments remain subject to available funds. It is also declared an emergency measure, indicating the Legislature intended it to take effect immediately upon enactment rather than waiting for the normal effective date.
Impact
HB 1076 directly amends section 37-01-48 of the North Dakota Century Code, expanding the state-authorized death benefit available for National Guard service members who die while on state active duty. The bill changes the statutory cap on the payment amount, broadening potential financial support for surviving beneficiaries or next of kin, while preserving the existing limitation that payments depend on available funds. It also reinforces administrative authority for the Adjutant General to implement the benefit through rulemaking.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have received strong bipartisan support and little to no opposition. It passed the House 92-0 and the Senate 47-0, suggesting broad agreement that the benefit increase was appropriate. The emergency clause also indicates a sense of urgency and shared support for immediate implementation.
Contention
No notable substantive contention is reflected in the available record. There were no recorded negative votes in either chamber and no committee transcript excerpts indicating disagreement. The only potentially significant policy issue is the size of the benefit increase—from $15,000 to $100,000—and the fact that payments remain contingent on available funds, but the unanimous votes suggest those issues were not controversial in the legislative process.
AN ACT to amend and reenact section 37-01-48 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the payment of a death benefit to the beneficiary or next of kin of a member of the national guard who died while serving on state active duty; and to declare an emergency.
AN ACT to amend and reenact section 37-01-44 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the reimbursement of certain medical expenses for North Dakota national guard members; and to declare an emergency.
AN ACT to amend and reenact sections 37-01-03 and 37-01-43 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the operation and regulation of the North Dakota national guard.
National guard or federal service leave of absence for state and political subdivision employees and the definition of veteran; and to declare an emergency.
AN ACT to amend and reenact section 37-01-25, subsection 1 of section 37-01-40, and section 37-14-01.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to national guard or federal service leave of absence for state and political subdivision employees and the definition of veteran; and to declare an emergency.
A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 37-01 of the North Dakota Century Code; relating to the deployment of the North Dakota national guard; and to declare an emergency.
A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 37-01 of the North Dakota Century Code; relating to the deployment of the North Dakota national guard; and to declare an emergency.