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North Dakota lawmaker introduces bill to invalidate certain out-of-state driver's licenses

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North Dakota lawmaker introduces bill to invalidate certain out-of-state driver's licenses


BISMARCK — Out-of-state visitors to North Dakota may have to remember their passport or other identification beyond their driver’s license to drive through the state under a proposed bill.

House Bill 1501

would make driver’s licenses from states that issue them without requiring proof of citizenship invalid in North Dakota without a secondary form of identification that proves citizenship such as a passport, birth certificate or certificate of naturalization. This means those with a driver’s license from 19 states that do not require proof of citizenship to issue licenses could be charged with driving without a license if pulled over in North Dakota.

The bill is not intended to be a primary offense, according to the bill’s primary sponsor Rep. Keith Kempenich, R- Bowman, meaning law enforcement could only cite someone if they were pulled over for a separate offense.

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Kempenich said the bill is in response to issues brought up in the last presidential race, specifically media attention surrounding claims of immigrants’ actions in Springfield, Ohio. He said driving is a privilege reserved for citizens.

“Other states are basically just flaunting — flaunting the idea that this is a privilege to have this,” Kempenich said. “And some of these states think that this is a good idea to just let whoever, basically get a driver’s license out of a Cracker Jack box.”

Members of the House Transportation Committee raised concerns over the hassle this would cause law-abiding citizens who come from these 19 states. The legislators said it is not common to have a passport or other secondary piece of identification on someone at all times.

“I mean, these are documents you usually have, you know, stored away somewhere safe until you need to produce them,” said Rep. Dan Ruby, R-Minot. “So that’s my only concern, is that — what we would be doing to legitimate populations that are traveling to our state that now are going to be considered guilty until proven innocent.”

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Rep. Daniel Johnson, R-Kathryn, asks a question during a hearing about House Bill 1501, a bill focusing on the use of out-of-state operators’ licenses and nonoperator identification cards for identification and motor vehicle operation, at the North Dakota Capitol on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.

Tanner Ecker / The Bismarck Tribune

Kempenich said the bill is designed to cause complications to start a conversation around other states’ decisions not to require proof of citizenship for driver’s licenses. He said, “it wouldn’t impact any North Dakotan” or any driver from the 31 states that require proof of citizenship to issue driver’s licenses.

There were questions raised about the bill’s constitutionality, with legislators concerned that it may violate the Interstate Commerce Clause. Kempenich said the clause only refers to citizens but recognized that the bill may spark a conversation about how to interpret the clause.

Cody Schuler, a lobbyist with the American Civil Liberties Union, said the bill is constitutionally suspect under the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the Constitution, which requires states to recognize the legal documents and precedents from other states.

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He also said that enforcement of the bill would be cumbersome, especially along the densely populated parts of the Minnesota border. Under this bill, some Minnesota driver’s licenses would be invalidated.

“This bill is troubling because (it) is blatantly anti-immigrant and does not seem to have any other purpose than to send a clear signal that immigrants are not welcome in North Dakota,” Schuler said in an email to the Tribune.

Ruby said he could not see voting for the bill as it currently stands, but would give Kempenich and the committee time to consider amendments that could make the bill viable.





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North Dakota

Runners will soon trek across North Dakota to bring awareness for families grieving the loss of a child – KVRR Local News

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Runners will soon trek across North Dakota to bring awareness for families grieving the loss of a child – KVRR Local News


FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — For more than 400 miles, 12 runners will trek across North Dakota to carry the stories of love, loss, and resilience from community to community.

“After having run Haven since 2017, the 10.15 Project came, and it just is so exciting because it’s really looking at pregnancy and infant loss and putting it in a new light. And really giving people the opportunity to do something that you can see and it’s meaningful,” said Jen Burgard, Founder and Executive Director of Haven.

The 10.15 Project was co-founded by Haven, an organization that supports grieving families. The relay begins on International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. And during the four days, the team hopes to bring awareness to families.

“It gives you pieces of solitude, of quiet, of reflection, and also a purpose. It gives you meaning, and I think endurance is one of the biggest pieces of this. It’s the endurance required to navigate pregnancy and infant loss is extreme. And I think this really mirrors that,” said Burgard.

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While many of the runners come from different fields, many have also experienced a loss themselves.

“When it happened in my family, it was kind of something we were all struck by. You realize how common it is. And you know, I want to bring light to that,” said Ty Casey, Runner and Learning and Development Specialist at TrueNorth Steel.

Casey has multiple runs planned over the next few months, but with this run in particular, he hopes this will bring awareness.

“If this is one thing that can help bring light to it and help people be more open and help people to talk about it, and take some of the grief away that would be totally ideal for us just to help out a little bit,” said Casey.

The relay begins on October 15 in Medora and will end on October 18th in Fargo.

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Behind the Badge – Spring Fever

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Spring Fever

District Game Warden Sam Feldmann

As winter begins to fade and ice fishing begins to slow, everyone gets the itch to be outside on nice days when it’s warming and the sun is shining. People are beginning to think about their garden or outdoor projects around the house they have been pondering all winter.

While others have been thinking about open water fishing, getting the boat ready, hitting the field to look for shed antlers in a favorite spot they’ve been watching deer all winter, or slipping into the field to lure a spring gobbler into shotgun range with a new call they’ve been practicing with all winter.

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With the excitement of warm weather and getting out to enjoy everything a spring day has to offer, I would like to remind everyone of a few things while enjoying what North Dakota has to offer.

This year is a registration year for all motorized watercrafts. This doesn’t just mean you have to renew your registration. It means that when you get the new red stickers sporting “28” on them that they must be affixed to both sides of the bow of the boat.

Another reminder is that if you are going shed hunting, there are a few things to remember. Shed antlers are legal to possess. This time of year, our officers receive lots of calls about shed hunters locating “dead heads,” which are animals that have died and the antlers are still attached to the skull plate.

If you happen to locate a dead head, you cannot possess it without contacting your local game warden and receiving a permit for the animal. Also, if you are going to shed hunt on posted private property or a Private Lands Opens To Sportsmen tract, you need to obtain permission to do so. Wildlife management areas and other state and federal lands are open to shed hunting, but a good rule of thumb is to check the regulations on public property before heading out.

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If you are going to be chasing turkeys this spring through the timber, there are a few things that should be remembered. Make sure you have your tag with you when you are in the field. Remember that your tag is only legal for one bearded wild turkey. If you are lucky enough to harvest a turkey you fooled into coming to your calling and decoy, you must tag it before doing anything else.

One last reminder for the spring activities. Remember that all licenses, whether it’s a hunting license or fishing license, expired March 31 and needed to be renewed as of April 1, 2026

With these few reminders out of the way, remember to have fun and enjoy what the great state of North Dakota has to offer.



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Retired Game & Fish Director facing new charge of molesting a child – KVRR Local News

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Retired Game & Fish Director facing new charge of molesting a child – KVRR Local News


MANDAN, N.D. (KVRR-KFGO) – Former North Dakota Game & Fish Director Terry Steinwand has been charged with molesting a child.

The Class “A” misdemeanor was filed after a Morton County District Court judge rejected a proposed plea agreement to a felony charge and prosecutors dismissed the charge while retaining the right to file an amended charge.

Steinwand is from Mandan. The 72-year-old is now charged with one count of sexual assault-offensive contact. The charge carries a maximum sentence of one year in jail.

Steinwand was originally charged in September, 2025, when police say he admitted to sexual misconduct.

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Steinwand worked for the Game & Fish Dept. for 40 years. He led the agency for about 15 years and retired in 2021.





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