AGP Executive Report

Kratom Crackdown: Gov. Kelly Armstrong is expected to announce next week a special legislative session in early September to ban kratom, with GOP leaders already signaling rapid movement and an executive-action path. Local Budget Pressure: Grand Forks County commissioners say the 2027 property-tax levy cap could force at least $836,000 in cuts, with health insurance and employee pay increases driving the gap. Rural Health Funding: North Dakota HHS is opening a new round of Rural Health Transformation Program opportunities totaling about $50.5 million to expand access, workforce, community health, and rural tech use. UND Energy Research: UND researchers won a spot in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Genesis Mission inaugural cohort for AI battery-management work tied to energy and national security. Infrastructure Planning: ND DOT and engineers are advancing four-laning options for U.S. 52 between Minot and Voltaire, with a preferred divided design and more public input ahead of final selection. Public Safety & Courts: Fargo police arrested a wanted man in north Fargo after a coordinated response; separately, a Supreme Court case is set to decide whether ND ranchers can recover attorney fees in a pipeline land-seizure fight. Education & Accountability: DPI says graduation rates have climbed to 83 percent, while a Valley City forum highlighted Dem-NPL candidates’ concerns about transparency and AI data-center oversight.

Public Utilities & Grid Oversight: The North Dakota Public Service Commission is weighing Montana-Dakota Utilities’ proposed 14.5% rate increase, with an interim request that would raise a typical residential bill by about $12.90 per month starting Sept. 1, as MDU also faces intense scrutiny tied to data center growth. Data Center Debate: Two opinion pieces argue North Dakota needs real public input and transparency on data centers—pushing back on claims that concerns are being dismissed or managed through NDAs and neighbor-against-neighbor politics. Property Rights in Courts: A judge awarded North Dakota landowners nearly $975,000 in attorney fees in pipeline-related litigation, and a separate fight over whether landowners can recover fees after eminent domain is headed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Energy Infrastructure Notice: The North Dakota Supreme Court upheld regulators’ public-notice process for the JETx transmission line, rejecting late challenges by townships and landowners. Election Integrity & Voting: A national report says new disclosures about noncitizens on voter rolls in New Jersey and questions in Alaska are unlikely to move the SAVE America Act forward in the Senate. Consumer Protection: North Dakota’s attorney general joined a multistate push urging the FCC to strengthen “Know Your Customer” rules to curb illegal robocalls. Education Oversight: Valley City State University is facing audit findings over missing documentation for tuition waivers and rural teacher support program approvals. Statehouse/Policy Signals: North Dakota was ranked No. 4 in U.S. News & World Report’s Best States, with top marks in employment, fiscal stability, and energy.

Robocall crackdown push: North Dakota’s AG Brenna Bird joined a bipartisan wave urging the FCC to tighten “Know Your Customer” rules to stop illegal robocalls by forcing phone providers to better vet originating callers. Public safety on the highways: McKenzie County and partners stepped up enforcement on U.S. 85 work zones near Watford City, citing hundreds of traffic stops and arrests as construction continues. Local law enforcement scrutiny: The McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office provided a detailed public account of its role during the July 1 Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library opening in Medora, after questions about staffing and operations. Rural health follow-up: McKenzie Health answered additional questions in the Dennis Hungerford death case, keeping some internal clinical details off-limits. Corrections focus: McKenzie County Correctional Facility highlighted expanded programming aimed at reducing recidivism and improving reentry outcomes. Data center debate: North Dakota voices continued to clash over data centers—supporters argue for transparency and planning, while critics warn about community impacts. State politics backdrop: North Dakota landed No. 4 in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best States rankings, with top marks in employment and fiscal stability.

Public Safety & Security: North Dakota lawmakers are pushing for stronger protections for officials as political violence concerns rise, including steps like removing home addresses from public sites and adding emergency access details inside the Capitol. Pipeline Oversight Fight: Democratic PSC challengers say a PSC attorney’s stance that pipeline safety can’t be considered in routing points to a bigger problem, arguing the commission should treat public welfare and safety as primary criteria. Courts & Property Rights: A judge is set to decide whether North Dakota’s Beef Commission appointment process is unconstitutional, while separate court rulings have ordered the state to pay landowners’ legal fees in property-rights cases. Transportation Planning: NDDOT finalized its 25-year long-range transportation plan, Transportation Connection 2050, updating the prior 2045 framework with input from agencies, local governments, tribes, and the public. Local Tech in Emergency Response: Grand Forks City Council discussed a proposed drone program that would let first responders see emergency scenes before arriving, raising privacy and policy questions. Energy Reliability: A federal electricity emergency order covers North Dakota and 16 other states during extreme heat, giving grid operators added authority to use backup generation.

Courts & Property Rights: A North Dakota judge ordered the state to pay landowners’ legal fees in two lawsuits over unconstitutional property-rights rules tied to pipeline and pore-space CO2 storage, with one ruling pointing to nearly $975,000 in costs. Beef Commission Fight: A South Central judge heard arguments on whether North Dakota’s Beef Commission appointment process is unconstitutional, after ranchers challenged the law’s board-selection structure. Transportation Policy: NDDOT finalized its 25-year long-range plan, Transportation Connection 2050, setting goals and priorities for investments across the state. Energy & Grid Pressure: The U.S. Department of Energy warned that extreme heat has put 17 states—including North Dakota—under an electricity emergency order, allowing grid operators to tap backup power if needed. Agriculture & Economy: North Dakota canola acreage hit a record 2.35 million acres, while a separate national story highlights how cost-of-living pressures are driving political focus on affordability. Elections & Voting Rules: Montana’s law on counting absentee ballots from voters who die before Election Day is highlighted, alongside broader national debate on voting access. Public Safety & Local News: A Minot-area fertility case alleges a doctor secretly used his own genetic material, and a judge weighs a Beef Commission lawsuit while local enforcement stories continue to draw attention.

Courts & Property Rights: A judge ordered North Dakota to pay landowners’ legal fees in lawsuits challenging the state’s property-rights framework tied to pipeline and CO2 storage disputes, with one ruling pointing to unconstitutional “just compensation” limits. Supreme Court Watch: The U.S. Supreme Court is set to decide whether ranchers can recover fees when land is seized for a pipeline—an issue that could reshape how costly it is for property owners to fight back. Energy & Industry: A proposed pig iron plant near Minot would turn Minnesota mine waste into steel, aiming to create hundreds of jobs and boost domestic production. Local Governance: Fargo’s airport authority is floating a plan to expand governance to Cass County to broaden the tax base and fund runway upgrades, though the county commission hasn’t acted yet. Housing Policy: A new affordable housing law is expected to help the Fargo-Moorhead market, while North Dakota’s only fair housing nonprofit warns a federal funding delay could force major staff cuts. Elections & Administration: Secretary of state candidates say North Dakota elections are secure, fair and free, as the broader national debate over voter access and registration continues. Agriculture: Canola acreage in North Dakota hit a record as sunflowers rise, while grain futures slipped overnight as crude oil fell and bulls held back.

Elections & Integrity: North Dakota secretary of state candidates say the state’s elections are secure, fair and free, responding to Trump’s recent election integrity push. Federal Courts: Senate confirmed North Dakota judge Dan Traynor to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, a major bench shift for the state. Housing & Civil Rights: High Plains Fair Housing Center in Grand Forks warns it may furlough more than half its staff after a delayed HUD grant, leaving people facing discrimination without help. Public Safety Funding: Sen. John Hoeven announced a $555,000 DOJ award for Grand Forks’ Community Violence Intervention Center, aimed at better serving disabled and deaf victims. State Government: Gov. Kelly Armstrong named DEQ accounting director Beth Jacobson interim director as Dave Glatt retires Aug. 1. Health & Benefits: North Dakota’s SNAP error rate hit 9.89% for FY2025, the highest since 1997, raising concerns about a costly software setup. Energy & Infrastructure: A PSC attorney argued the commission can’t weigh public safety when issuing pipeline permits, in litigation over the Summit Carbon Solutions approval process. Environment & Research: UND’s EERC says more than half of furloughed staff have returned as DOE funding negotiations move forward. Community & Outdoors: Grand Forks Prairie Partners invites the public to help remove invasive Russian olive at a Turtle River habitat project Aug. 1.

Midterms Watch: A new Civiqs poll finds President Donald Trump is underwater nationwide and in every major battleground state 100 days before the 2026 midterms, with approval at 38% and disapproval at 57%. Fair Housing Funding: North Dakota’s only fair-housing organization, High Plains Fair Housing Center in Grand Forks, warns it may furlough more than half its staff after a delayed $425,000 federal grant installment. SNAP Administration: North Dakota’s SNAP error rate hit 9.89% for fiscal 2025, the highest in decades, raising concerns about a costly 2028 cost-sharing structure. State Elections: Secretary of State candidates say North Dakota elections are secure, fair and free in response to Trump’s election integrity push. Public Safety: A stabbing at the North Dakota State Fair left one person with non-life-threatening injuries; separately, a Ludden man was arrested after a fake shooting report triggered a multi-agency response. Energy & Research: More than half of furloughed employees at UND’s EERC have returned as DOE funding negotiations continue. Local Housing: A new Fargo-Moorhead affordable housing law is expected to improve inventory and lower barriers for buyers and sellers.

Election Integrity: North Dakota secretary of state candidates Michael Howe and Ryan Braunberger say the state’s elections are secure, fair and free, responding to President Trump’s July 16 election integrity remarks. Courts & Law: U.S. Senate confirms North Dakota Judge Dan Traynor to the Eighth Circuit, a major federal bench move for the state. Pipeline Permit Fight: A North Dakota PSC attorney argued the commission can’t consider public safety when issuing a pipeline permit in the Summit Carbon Solutions dispute. Fair Housing Funding: High Plains Fair Housing Center in Grand Forks warns it could furlough more than half its staff after a delayed federal grant threatens services statewide. Energy & Jobs: More than half of UND’s Energy and Environmental Research Center furloughed employees have returned as DOE funding talks continue. Public Safety Grant: DOJ awards $555,000 to Grand Forks’ Community Violence Intervention Center to expand accessible victim services. State Leadership: Gov. Kelly Armstrong names Beth Jacobson interim director of the Department of Environmental Quality. Community & Culture: Grand Forks Prairie Partners invites the public Aug. 1 to help remove invasive Russian olive trees at a Turtle River waterfowl site.

Affordable Housing: Fargo-Moorhead officials are hailing North Dakota’s new 21st Century Road to Housing Act as a potential boost for homebuilding and affordability, aiming to cut red tape and costs as the region’s population and home values keep climbing. Fair Housing Funding: North Dakota’s only fair-housing organization, High Plains Fair Housing Center in Grand Forks, says a delayed federal grant could force furloughs of more than half its staff, threatening help for people facing housing discrimination. Federal Courts: U.S. Senates confirmed North Dakota Judge Dan Traynor to the Eighth Circuit, a major step for the state’s federal judiciary footprint. Pipeline Permitting Fight: A Public Service Commission attorney argued the PSC can’t weigh public safety when issuing pipeline permits in a lawsuit over the Summit Carbon Solutions approval process. Environmental Leadership: Gov. Kelly Armstrong named Beth Jacobson interim director of the Department of Environmental Quality as Dave Glatt retires, with a permanent search underway. SNAP Administration: North Dakota’s SNAP error rate hit 9.89% for fiscal 2025, the highest since 1997, raising concerns about the software used to run the program. Public Safety Search: State aircraft resumed searches for a missing hiker in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, with Civil Air Patrol and the National Guard flying over the North Unit.

Federal Courts: U.S. Senate confirmed North Dakota Judge Dan Traynor to the Eighth Circuit, a major step for the state’s federal bench. State Government: Gov. Kelly Armstrong named Beth Jacobson interim director of the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality as Dave Glatt retires. Public Finance & Infrastructure: DEQ and Public Finance Authority awarded $15.2M in water infrastructure loans across four communities, including major funding for West Fargo. SNAP Oversight: North Dakota’s SNAP error rate hit 9.89% for fiscal 2025—the highest in decades—raising concerns about a $162M software system and potential future costs. Elections & Local Governance: Filing for city and school board seats is underway with only days left in some areas. Energy & Policy: North Dakota’s pronghorn season is set with 1,310 licenses statewide, and NDSU Langdon broke ground on a higher-capacity seed-cleaning facility. Community & Culture: Salt + Scoria opened at the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, spotlighting Indigenous flavors.

Federal Courts: The U.S. Senate confirmed North Dakota Judge Dan Traynor to the 8th Circuit in a 48-47 party-line vote, elevating the District of North Dakota judge to a lifetime appeals seat. State Courts & Public Safety: The North Dakota Supreme Court upheld the conviction of former Cass County deputy Carson Theodore Quam for possessing hundreds of child sexual abuse files, rejecting arguments that the search warrant lacked probable cause. Utilities & Infrastructure: The North Dakota Supreme Court ruled the Public Service Commission gave adequate notice before approving the Jamestown-to-Ellendale high-voltage transmission line (JETx), clearing the project’s path. Local Governance & Housing: Fargo police say they’ve used Flock AI-linked license plate cameras more than 500 times in the last month, while officials stress audits and “public trust” amid privacy concerns. Public Policy: A proposed North Dakota ordinance fight over pipeline safety is heating up as Democratic PSC candidates argue the commission can’t treat safety as off-limits. Energy & Economy: Oil prices pushed back into triple digits as Middle East tensions raise supply-risk premiums, with North Dakota officials warning consumers to watch retail impacts. Agriculture: NDSU Langdon broke ground on a new seed-cleaning facility aimed at boosting capacity and efficiency for farmers and new crop varieties. Wildfire Response: Sen. John Hoeven introduced a resolution urging Canada to do more to prevent and fight wildfires after Canadian smoke affected air quality across the U.S. Elections & Candidates: Lynnell Popowski withdrew her name from the District 19 state representative ballot for November.

Federal Courts: The U.S. Senate confirmed North Dakota Judge Dan Traynor to the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, a 48-47 party-line vote that keeps a key ND jurist on the federal appellate bench. State & Local Tax Policy: Jamestown lawmakers backed a proposed ordinance that would keep the city’s 1% sales tax rate unchanged while redirecting existing sales tax earmarks from TRAC bonds toward infrastructure and economic development. Energy & Data Centers: Gov. Kelly Armstrong signed a “ratepayer protection” pledge aimed at stopping data-center power costs from being passed to everyday utility customers. Oil Prices: Middle East tensions pushed crude back to triple digits, with North Dakota officials warning consumers to watch gas prices even as higher prices can boost state revenues. Health Policy: North Dakota HHS is preparing Medicaid Expansion work requirements starting Jan. 1, 2027, with exemptions for groups including Native Americans, caregivers, people with disabilities, and certain health conditions. Public Safety: Search teams are looking for missing hiker Artoun Gostantian in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, with K9 and aviation support involved. Civic Life: Williston’s National Night Out is set for Aug. 6 at Davidson Park, featuring food, games, and meet-and-greets with local law enforcement.

Medicaid Work Requirements: North Dakota HHS says new federal work requirements for Medicaid Expansion adults will start Jan. 1, 2027, with 5,000 to 7,000 members expected to be affected (about 23,000 total enrolled), and Blue Cross-Blue Shield will notify people by mail, text, or email. SNAP Restrictions: North Dakota’s Healthy Choice Waiver approved by USDA will ban SNAP purchases of energy drinks, candy, and sweetened beverages starting Sept. 1 for two years, with possible extensions. Pipeline Eminent Domain at SCOTUS: The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear a McKenzie County case over whether a pipeline company must follow North Dakota law when using federal eminent domain, with compensation and legal-cost rules at stake. Crop Insurance Fix: Sen. John Hoeven secured USDA restoration of the prevented plant buy-up option for the 2027 crop year, after it was removed in 2025. Public Safety/Justice: Highway Patrol identified the driver in Fargo’s I-94 bison carcass spill; separately, a plea deal is being considered in a fatal I-94 hit-and-run near Valley City. Elections/Access: ACLU and ACLU of North Dakota filed a brief supporting the right to protest on public roads, while state officials continue to reassure voters elections are secure.

Supreme Court & Voting Rights: A federal appeals court reversed a Native American redistricting win in North Dakota, citing the U.S. Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act rollback and raising new stakes for minority representation. Elections Integrity: North Dakota secretary of state candidates say the state’s elections are secure and fair, responding to Trump’s broader claims about election vulnerabilities. Medicaid Work Requirements: North Dakota HHS is preparing to implement federal work requirements for some Medicaid Expansion enrollees starting Jan. 1, 2027, with 5,000 to 7,000 members potentially affected. School Meals Ballot Fight: Gov. Kelly Armstrong says he’ll vote against a constitutional ballot measure ending the user fee for school meals, arguing spending obligations shouldn’t be locked into the constitution. Pipeline Eminent Domain: The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a McKenzie County landowners’ challenge over whether a pipeline company must follow North Dakota law and cover legal costs in eminent domain cases. ACLU Road Closure Case: The ACLU and ACLU of North Dakota backed protesters challenging a public road closure near Standing Rock, arguing it violates First Amendment rights. Public Safety & Courts: A plea deal is being considered in a fatal I-94 hit-and-run case near Valley City, while a separate legal dispute continues after DNA tests allegedly showed two men were switched at birth at a North Dakota hospital. Local Government Finance: A Grand Forks letter warns PILOTs and tax incentives can create perverse incentives and urges more public scrutiny of city decisions.

Daylight Saving Time Fight: A House-passed bill to make daylight saving time permanent is reigniting the North Dakota debate, with projections showing Bismarck sunrises as late as 9:28 a.m. in winter and ND Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring saying many producers prefer one clock year-round. Medicaid Work Requirements: North Dakota HHS says Medicaid Expansion members will face new work requirements starting Jan. 1, 2027, affecting about 5,000 to 7,000 people, with reporting updates urged. School Meals Ballot Clash: Gov. Kelly Armstrong says he’ll vote against a November constitutional measure for free K-12 school meals, arguing it would lock in roughly $140 million in biennial spending. Local Government Finance: Grand Forks County approved a no-interest loan to Emerado for emergency water-line repairs, with repayment due within five years. Courts & Public Safety: Families of two men who say DNA tests proved they were switched at birth are suing a North Dakota hospital, while a Mandan driver in a fatal hit-and-run case is set to avoid prison time under a plea deal. Agriculture & Risk Management: USDA is restoring a crop-insurance “buy-up” option after North Dakota farm groups raised concerns, a move Hoeven called welcome. Energy Reliability: Grid warnings tied to heat and demand are prompting calls for backup power readiness across the region. Elections & Politics: A Dem-NPL candidate in northeast ND withdrew from the November ballot after a Hatch Act concern. Newsmaker: The North Dakota Monitor hired Fargo reporter Jack Dura to cover state government.