North Dakota
North Dakota Legislature narrows property tax reform bills as key deadline approaches
BISMARCK — North Dakota lawmakers have narrowed the field of property tax bills ahead of the session’s midpoint, with just seven of roughly 20 proposals still standing.
By early March, all Senate bills must pass to the House and all House bills must pass to the Senate.
The House and Senate have only passed one property tax bill so far this session, Senate Bill 2201, which simply seeks to make those who have their primary residences in trusts eligible for the primary residence tax credit passed during the 2023 legislative session.
This week alone, the Legislature shot down eight bills dealing with property taxes. Of those eight, five were killed during a late House session on Tuesday.
The late session followed a nearly hourlong discussion during the chamber’s normal session on amendments to House Bill 1176, which encompasses the governor’s property tax reform and relief plan, introduced by Rep. Mike Nathe, R-Bismarck.
The bill had been substantially amended in committee since its initial introduction. Notably, an amendment had been added that would allow voters to exclude their county or city from the levy increase caps proposed by the bill for a period of up to 10 years. The funding amounts to be appropriated from the General and Legacy funds were flipped so more funding would come from the Legacy Fund and less from the General Fund to pay for the bill’s proposed increase to the primary residence tax credit. Additionally, $50 million had been added to increase income tax relief for North Dakotans, according to Rep. Jared Hagert, R-Emerado.
All amendments to the bill were approved by the House chamber except for the $50 million for income tax relief. The bill was re-referred to the House Appropriations Committee but is expected to return to the floor this week to be voted on.
Gov. Kelly Armstrong said he was happy the bill is moving forward and did not have many qualms with the amendments. He said he understood that legislators were attempting to provide flexibility to smaller political subdivisions with the amendment to allow voters to exclude political subdivisions from levy caps, but thought there was an option to provide that flexibility which would be “a little more restrictive.”
“The fact that this conversation is top of mind and moving forward, it’s not stuck in the mud, that’s really important for how this process works to get to a result at the end,” Armstrong told the Tribune.
“A lot of people are putting a lot of hard work in,” he said. “I don’t have to agree with every single aspect of the legislation to know that everybody’s working hard to get a solid piece of legislation together.”
Tanner Ecker / The Bismarck Tribune
The culling of property tax bills created a heated discussion on the floor during Tuesday’s late session. Rep. Ben Koppelman, R-West Fargo, expressed frustration with the House Finance and Taxation Committee over its decisions on property tax bills this session. He said that it follows a trend over the past several sessions where the committee chooses one bill and piles all the ideas they like from other bills onto it.
“They’re piled into a single bill a lot of times. I think this session it might turn out to be two bills, but then they’ve been particularly harsh on everything else,” Koppelman said in an interview with the Tribune on Wednesday. “Since all these bills had different ideas, I think the body as a whole should really have a fair shake at deciding which is our preferred source … So that’s what I was being critical of.”
Koppelman was the primary sponsor of House bills 1390, 1353 and 1343, which together acted as competitors to House Bill 1176. He said he felt there were “much better options that died last night than what we have in House Bill 1176” but he was hopeful — if skeptical — that pieces from the deceased bills would make their way into whatever property tax reform bill is eventually signed by the governor.
Nathe said he disagreed with Koppelman and others’ assessment of the Finance and Tax Committee and felt the committee had done its job going through the many property tax bills to determine what works and what does not.
This sentiment was echoed by House Majority Leader Rep. Mike Lefor, R-Dickinson, who said the committee had done a “tremendous amount of work” on the property tax reform bills.
“I just believe the Finance and Tax Committee did a very good job of vetting all these different bills because they come from different angles,” Lefor said. “Quite frankly, I appreciate the work of all the representatives — and senators – that brought bills forward.”
Sen. Mark Weber, R-Casselton, who chairs the Senate Finance and Taxation Committee said he had not seen any bills that were direct competitors to 1176 come through his committee, but he had seen at least one bill, Senate Bill 2363, which would work in tandem with 1176 to provide some property tax relief for agricultural landowners.
Rep. Craig Headland, R-Montpelier, who chairs the House Finance and Taxation Committee, said there was one other bill left, House Bill 1575, that was a direct competitor to House Bill 1176. He said he felt 1575 would provide relief in an “easier and simpler” way than House Bill 1176, and would provide tax relief across multiple property designations including residential, commercial, and agricultural land.
Nathe said he felt House Bill 1176 had the most momentum of any property tax bill at this point in the session, especially with the backing of the governor.
Lefor and Armstrong both said they were happy with the progress made on property tax reform so far during the session and felt confident at this point that the Legislature would come away with a strong property tax relief and reform package by the end of it.
“I would say we’re really positive about the likelihood of getting a good piece of relief and reform at the end of the session,” Armstrong said. “Well, hopefully not the end, end. But … I don’t think pre-crossover is going to happen, nor should it. The longer you have momentum moving forward, the more you have stakeholders engage in real solutions to what they see as perceived problems.”
North Dakota
Connections Tourism: Projects in Wheatland, Mountain and Lakota win North Dakota tourism grants – KVRR Local News
BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR) — A total of $4 million has been awarded to 8 projects in the latest round of grants to boost tourism in North Dakota.
The 2026 cycle of Destination Development Grants saw 103 applications from 61 communities.
Those in our region include $300,000 to help create the new Icelandic Roosthus heritage center in Mountain in Pembina County.
It has been in development for over eight years.
$870,000 to Johnny’s Landing in Wheatland in Cass County which is a lodging development with 14 RV sites and 12 wellness-focused heritage cabins converted from authentic granaries and grain bins.
And $500,000 to The Prairie Experience at The Bins in Lakota in Nelson County.
Three grain bin lodging units will be developed and the project will include agritourism experiences.
This grant program was funded by the legislature to promote tourism and attractions in North Dakota.
North Dakota
HHS recognizes May as Foster Care Awareness Month, highlights role of community in supporting children and families
North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) is recognizing May as Foster Care Awareness Month, a time to highlight the resilience of children involved in the state’s foster care system and the dedication of those who support them. Read the Foster Care Awareness Month proclamation.
On any given day, about 1,050 children are in foster care in North Dakota. More than 700 licensed foster care providers and nearly 200 relative caregivers open their homes to provide stability and support for children until reunification or another permanent plan can be achieved.
This year’s theme, “It Takes All of Us: Caring for Children, Supporting Families and Strengthening Futures,” emphasizes the importance of strong, collaborative communities in ensuring the safety, well-being and long-term success of children. The theme highlights the role of partnerships across organizations, with families at the center of the work.
Everyone involved in the child welfare system plays a critical role in supporting the safety, permanency and well-being of children in care. This includes relatives, foster care providers, public agencies, juvenile court, child welfare professionals, schools, community service providers and other partners working together to support families and promote reunification whenever possible.
“Foster care is a temporary service designed to ensure child safety while supporting families,” said Chelsea Flory, HHS Children and Family Services director. “May is a time to recognize everyone involved in the child welfare system. This year’s theme highlights the importance of all who play a role in engaging with and supporting families. Together, we strengthen connections and help create brighter, more stable futures.”
Individuals interested in becoming licensed foster care providers are encouraged to call 833-FST-HOME (833-378-4663). For information about providing respite or emergency shelter care, contact the Children and Family Services Licensing Unit at 701-328-2322 or email cfslicensing@nd.gov.
North Dakota’s small towns get less attention than they deserve. Mandan keeps the state’s oldest park alive at Fort Abraham Lincoln, where reconstructed earth lodges sit a few minutes from a working farmers’ market. Valley City earns its City of Bridges nickname with a downtown tour that crosses the Sheyenne River eight times. New Salem holds onto its 19th-century Custer Trail story while pointing visitors toward miles of open prairie. Bottineau adds a creamery operating since the 1930s and a giant turtle statue that has somehow become the town mascot. The seven towns below pack more character into a quiet state than most people expect.
Mandan
Mandan’s past is layered in different eras of American history. First, this town was a village for the Mandan tribe; it later became a cavalry fort, then a railroad town, and finally a hub for the region’s farmers and ranchers.
Attractions include the Mandan Heritage Plaza, which houses a wonderful local farmers’ market. Another great attraction is Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, which is the oldest state park in North Dakota. This state park features educational opportunities about the Mandan Native Americans through reconstructed earth lodges. For those of a mind seeking adventure, Huff Hills Ski Area contains some of the best slopes in the state.
Bottineau
Though it does make for a fun stop, there is even more to Bottineau than the giant statue of Tommy the turtle keeping vigil by the roadside. For example, you may want to visit Pride Dairy, the last small-town creamery in all of North Dakota. Named by USA Today as the best ice cream in the state, this family-oriented shop has been servicing its customers since the 1930s. For further culinary options, one may want to visit Marie’s on Main Street; operating as a bistro, fine-dining experience, and cocktail bar all at once, Marie’s is a local favorite. Lastly, excursions to nearby Lake Metigoshe State Park offer hiking trails, fishing holes, and more.
Rugby
Many of Rugby’s best attractions are in its history. The Prairie Village Museum showcases some of the county’s oldest artifacts, and the 1907 Great Northern Railroad Depot gives a great glimpse into the past. Built in red-brick Tudor style, this depot is one of many scattered across the nation to be repurposed and preserved. The Victorian Dress Museum is located in a former church and provides a delightful look into Victorian-era fashion and accessories. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Main Street Boutique is also a local highlight. Here, attendees can shop for everything from clothing to kitchen items.
Valley City
Nicknamed the City of Bridges for a reason, Valley City encourages its visitors to embark on the Valley City Historic Bridges Tour to best appreciate this town’s unique place in history. The many bridges of the tour cross over the Sheyenne River at various points, but none stand out more than the Hi-line Railroad Bridge, which is one of the highest and longest single-track railroad bridges in the country. After this interesting tour, you may want to check out Medicine Wheel Park, located on the grounds of Valley City State University. Scenic and lush, this Park contains 30 acres and a large rock sculpture meant to track Earth’s rotation around the sun.
Speaking of planets: the downtown Valley City State Planetarium makes for a perfect family outing. As of 2025 it has been equipped with a new domed projection system and a 24-foot ceiling.
Lisbon
Lisbon, settled in the heart of the Sheyenne River Valley, has a Main Street lively with restaurants, shopping, and history. Among its best places to eat is the Bronc, a local favorite that combines social atmosphere with delicious meals. Nearby, one can also find the Rustic Hanger, a boutique with clothing, gifts, and home decor that adds to the town’s charm.
As promised, there are plenty of outdoor experiences to enjoy both in Lisbon and the valley in which it is situated. The North Country Trail is a great opportunity for visitors to hike and explore, challenging themselves on a trail that runs from the Sheyenne River National Scenic Byway on the north side of Lisbon and the beautiful Sheyenne River bluffs on the south side.
Dickinson
Speaking of trails to explore, outdoorsy types will also love Dickinson for its proximity to the Crooked Crane Trail, which offers wide-open landscapes and wildlife. Nearby Patterson Lake, too, provides visitors a chance to have a day on the water or enjoy a shoreline stroll.
Also exploring its own nature and history is the Dickinson Museum Center, which (amongst other options) is home to the Badlands Dinosaur Museum – an exciting chance for families to enjoy a deep exploration of an ever-evolving exhibit displaying fossils, minerals, and a public preparation lab. The museum provides an excellent glimpse into prehistoric life in the area and is always working to provide new exhibits and opportunities for all guests.
New Salem
Established in 1883, New Salem’s history is best explored in the Custer Trail Museum. Featuring multiple buildings, this impressive museum contains a church from 1904, two schoolhouses, the Old New Salem depot, a blacksmith shop, and others. Following this, visitors may want to stop by Metro Perk & Market, a local restaurant/bakery and a coveted coffee shop.
There are several options for accommodations should one wish to explore New Salem and its beautiful, expansive prairie fields in more depth. This includes the Metropolitan Hotel and the Arrowhead Inn.
The towns explored on this list are each historic and full of character. North Dakota’s best offerings are found in the walking tour across Valley City’s bridges, in the nature around Lisbon, and in the historic train depots of Rugby. There is much more to North Dakota than can be found on these towns’ streets and in their surroundings, so do not wait: these seven small towns are ready to be visited.
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