AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 43-04 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to mobile barber shop requirements; to amend and reenact sections 43-04-01, 43-04-42, 43-04-44, and 43-04-45 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to mobile barbershops and the associated fees, inspection rights, and penalties; and to provide a penalty.
HB 1314 creates a new regulatory framework for mobile barbershops in North Dakota and updates the state’s barbering chapter to recognize and govern barbershops operated from a vehicle, trailer, or other mobile structure. The bill defines “mobile barbershop,” limits operation to licensed barbers, and requires registration with the Board of Barber Examiners. It also directs the board to adopt rules covering water, wastewater, power, safety, sanitation, equipment, services, location, reporting, and other operational requirements.
The bill also revises fee provisions to add a $150 initial registration fee and a $100 renewal fee for mobile barbershops, while maintaining existing fees for traditional barber licenses, schools, and related certificates. It authorizes board inspections of mobile barbershops during business hours and makes violations of the new mobile barbershop requirements subject to the chapter’s misdemeanor penalties. The bill further requires mobile operators to maintain a permanent mailing address, display the shop name and registration number, and provide vehicle information to the board.
HB 1314 amends North Dakota Century Code chapter 43-04 by expanding the state’s barbering laws to expressly cover mobile barbershops. It gives the Board of Barber Examiners authority to regulate and inspect these businesses and to impose related fees, penalties, and rules. The bill affects licensed barbers, mobile business operators, and the board’s enforcement and licensing functions, while also creating a new compliance pathway for mobile service providers.
The bill appears to have broad support and little visible opposition. It passed the House 87-1 and the Senate 41-3, indicating strong bipartisan approval. The vote totals suggest legislators generally viewed the measure as a practical licensing and public-safety update rather than a controversial policy change.
The main points of potential contention are the added regulatory burden and costs for mobile barbershops, including registration fees, inspection authority, and detailed equipment and sanitation requirements. Operators of mobile businesses may view the rules as necessary but potentially restrictive, especially the minimum vehicle size, permanent address requirement, and board discretion to adopt additional rules and penalties. The near-unanimous votes, however, suggest these concerns did not generate significant legislative resistance.