Bills create, amend, or repeal law. To become law, a bill must
pass the House of Representatives and the Senate by a majority
vote of the members-elect in each house. Bills may be introduced
by members of the Legislative Assembly, standing committees, or
the Legislative Management. A state executive agency or the
North Dakota Supreme Court can have bills automatically
introduced in the name of the standing committee to which the
bill will be referred. House bills begin with the number 1001,
and Senate bills begin with the number 2001. The Constitution of
North Dakota (Article IV, Section 13) provides that bills
adopted by the Legislative Assembly generally take effect August
1 after filing with the Secretary of State. However, certain
appropriations and tax measures become effective July 1. The
effective date may be later if specifically written into a bill.
The effective date may be earlier if the Legislative Assembly
declares an “emergency” and the measure receives a two-thirds
vote of the members-elect in