AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 1-03 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to military appreciation month.
House Bill 1148 creates a new section in chapter 1-03 of the North Dakota Century Code designating May of each year as Military Appreciation Month. The bill directs the governor to issue a proclamation on May 1 each year recognizing members of the United States Armed Forces, both past and present, and honoring their service, sacrifices, and contributions to national defense and freedom.
The measure is largely ceremonial and commemorative rather than regulatory. It does not create a new program, funding source, or enforcement mechanism; instead, it establishes an official state observance and a recurring gubernatorial proclamation tied to that observance.
HB1148 adds a new statutory state observance to North Dakota law by amending chapter 1-03 to recognize Military Appreciation Month each May. Its practical effect is to require an annual proclamation from the governor on May 1, but it does not alter benefits, rights, or obligations for service members, veterans, or state agencies beyond that ceremonial recognition.
The bill appears to have received overwhelmingly positive and noncontroversial support. It passed the House 90-0 and the Senate 47-0, indicating broad bipartisan agreement and no recorded opposition in the available vote history. No committee transcripts were provided, but the unanimous votes suggest the bill was viewed favorably as a symbolic expression of support for military personnel and veterans.
No notable points of contention are reflected in the available record. Because the bill is a ceremonial designation with a proclamation requirement only, there is no evidence of disagreement over fiscal impact, administrative burden, or policy tradeoffs. The unanimous votes indicate that any concerns, if raised, did not result in recorded opposition.