North Dakota
North Dakota lawmakers hear extensive testimony on controversial library bill
BISMARCK — North Dakota lawmakers listened to lengthy testimony Tuesday, March 18, on a bill that would require schools and public libraries to hide materials with “obscene” content from minors.
Senate Bill 2307
would direct such facilities to move “offensively sexual” content out of the main area of a library to a restricted section — whether that be in a cabinet, a roped-off aisle or on a higher shelf.
Another section of the bill requires school districts, state agencies and public libraries to filter out material found to be obscene in online library resources.
If passed, entities would be tasked with reviewing, removing and/or relocating those materials by January 2026 and providing the state with a compliance report before May 2026.
Those found to be in violation of the law could lose all state funding.
The cost associated with implementing the bill is over $2 million.
Confusion around what content would be considered obscene, ways a person could file a complaint about such content, and how someone could be found guilty of violating the rules was discussed at length during a three-hour House Judiciary Committee hearing on the bill Tuesday.
Bill sponsor Sen. Keith Boehm, R-Mandan, said the bill is purely about protecting children.
“This bill is not an attack on library staff or schools,” he said. “It is a necessary safeguard against a small number of activists who exploit legal loopholes to push an agenda that does not align with the values of our families and communities.”
Boehm brought
a similar bill
during the 2023 legislative, which was passed by lawmakers but vetoed by former Gov. Doug Burgum,
who said enacting the law would have an “enormous burden” on libraries.
Peyton Haug / Forum News Service
SB 2307 adds to House Bill 1205, enacted in 2023, which bans “sexually explicit” materials from the children’s section of a library and allows people to ask libraries to remove such content if they find it to be “inappropriate.”
Sara Planteen, a mother from Cogswell, said her concerns about materials she found to be offensive weren’t taken seriously at the local level.
“When schools fail to follow their own policies, when they dismiss parental concerns, then it is the duty of the elected officials to step in,” she said.
Peyton Haug / Forum News Service
Rep. Mike Brandenburg, R-Edgeley, Rep. Vicky Steiner, R-Dickinson, and a family therapist also voiced their support of the bill.
Opponents then lined up to share their testimony in person, except for Kelsi LeBaron, a sixth grader from Williston, who testified remotely.
Peyton Haug / Forum News Service
“I understand that some books deal with difficult topics, but I believe that removing them from schools and libraries will do more harm than good,” LeBaron said. “For some students, reading a certain book might be the first time they feel understood.”
LeBaron also said parents, teachers and librarians should be guiding what children read, not the government.
A librarian, a bookstore owner and the North Dakota Library Association echoed LeBaron’s plea.
They collectively characterized the bill as a costly one-size-fits-all solution that would unjustly stigmatize certain books, disproportionately impact small and rural libraries, and jeopardize First Amendment rights.
“Parents are responsible for approving content for the children, not the state. It is also not one family’s right to decide what is appropriate for other families to access,” said Gail Reiten, chair of Right to Read North Dakota.
Those who provided neutral testimony Tuesday maintained that regulating access to explicit material while fulfilling educational needs is a delicate balance.
Peyton Haug / Forum News Service
Over 370 entries of online testimony had been submitted before the hearing. Nearly 85% opposed the bill, including dozens of North Dakota libraries and individual librarians, as well as social work associations, education lobbying groups, university leaders, parents and teachers.
Those in favor were Christian lobbying groups, South Dakota-based therapists and around a dozen North Dakotans.
The committee did not take any immediate action on the bill Tuesday.
WASHINGTON — The North Dakota Department of Emergency Services has been recognized for its wildfire prevention efforts with a national Bronze Smokey Bear Award.
“These awardees demonstrate what fire prevention looks like in action,” said U.S. Forest Service Deputy Chief Sarah Fisher. “Their efforts protect lives, support firefighters and make a real difference in communities across the country.”
May is Wildfire Awareness Month, and with North Dakota experiencing another active spring wildfire season, each fire prevented is one that local responders don’t have to put out, underscoring the importance of each individual’s responsibility to work and recreate safely outdoors. The award to the N.D. Department of Emergency Services (NDDES) recognizes its efforts in communicating just that.
The communications team is led by Strategic Communications Chief Alison Vetter and is supported by Autonomous Systems and Communications Specialist Clint Fleckenstein.
According to information from the Forest Service, the team’s creative products are visually appealing, engaging and effective. The “Learn Before You Burn” tagline urges North Dakotans to visit the interactive N.D. Fire Declarations and Burn Restrictions map to learn their local restrictions, fire danger and red flag warnings before burning or recreating outdoors. Vetter and Fleckenstein consistently take initiative to address fire prevention issues proactively and go above and beyond to become the best possible storytellers of wildfire prevention messaging.
Alison Vetter
Their statewide efforts identify unique and effective avenues to communicate these important public safety topics, addressing top human-caused fire causes like open burning and equipment use through reels, interviews, Gas Station TV, visits with local students, and GoodHealthTV kiosks found in local health units, schools and other public buildings.
During the historic October 2024 wildfires, NDDES mobilized the Joint Information Center, responding to the elevated need for education, prevention and response to determine messaging needs in real time. This included topics like publicizing daily fire danger, sharing resources for affected landowners, advocating for defensible space and safety tips, and messaging ways to minimize fire risk when harvesting, hunting, or enjoying the outdoors. Alison and her team worked over the winter of 2024-2025 to identify prevention efforts and causes, and crafted effective communications strategies to reduce wildfire occurrence, which proved necessary into an active spring 2025 fire season as well. After the devastation of the October 2024 wildfires, they created a documentary to highlight the value and appreciation for those who responded to the call and showcase the unique way North Dakota communities show up for one another in crisis.
The 2026 Smokey Bear Awards will be presented at the National Association of State Foresters’ annual meeting in Lexington, Kentucky, in September.
North Dakota
Armstrong directs flags at half-staff Thursday in observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Kelly Armstrong has directed all government agencies to fly the United States and North Dakota flags at half-staff on Thursday, May 14, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, in observance of national Peace Officers Memorial Day.
The governor’s directive is in accordance with a proclamation issued by President Donald Trump, who also proclaimed May 10-16 as national Police Week.
Armstrong will join North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley and Supreme Court Chief Justice Lisa Fair McEvers in delivering remarks during a North Dakota Peace Officers Memorial Service at 7 p.m. Thursday in Memorial Hall of the State Capitol. North Dakota’s 69 fallen peace officers will be remembered and honored during the service, and the Capitol windows will be lit to display a “Thin Blue Line” as a mark of respect for all law enforcement officers, past and present.
MINOT, N.D. (KMOT) – Todd Cresap, who has served as a North Dakota district judge since 2009, announced he will retire in July.
Cresap wrote a letter to Gov. Kelly Armstrong, R-ND, he would retire effective July 17.
In the letter, Cresap said he had ‘mixed emotions’ over the decision, calling it an ‘honor’ to serve, but said it was time for someone ‘with a new perspective’ to serve.
A Valley City native, Cresap studied at Minot State University and the University of North Dakota.
Then-Gov. John Hoeven appointed Cresap to fill a judgeship in the Northwest Judicial District in 2009 that was created by the legislature. He served in that district until 2014, when it was split into Northwest and North Central.
Voters elected Cresap to the bench in 2012, 2016, and 2022. He served as a lawyer in private practice before his appointment as judge.
Armstrong can appoint a replacement to fill Cresap’s remaining term from a nominating committee’s list, ask the committee for new candidates, or call a special election.
The North Central District covers Ward, Mountrail, and Burke Counties.
Copyright 2026 KFYR. All rights reserved.
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