BISMARCK -- That are 328 bills passed by the North Dakota Legislature this year's that are set to take effect Thursday, according to Legislative Council. Here are some of the highlights:
Penalties
Monetary penalties will increase while the maximum jail sentences will stay the same.
Class B misdemeanor is now $1,500, up from $1,000.
Class A misdemeanor is now $3,000, up from $2,000.
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Class C felony is now $10,000, up from $5,000.
Class B felony is now $20,000, up from $10,000.
Class A felony is now $20,000, up from $10,000.
Theft will still be a class C felony, but the property or services stolen must exceed $1,000, up from $500, in value before it is a felony.
Animal Cruelty
Any person who intentionally tortures, mutilates or breaks an animal's bones will face a class C felony punishable with up to fives years in jail, a $10,000 fine, or both.
Any person who willfully deserts or fails to retrieve their animal within 48 hours will face a class A misdemeanor, punishable with up to one year in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.
Law enforcement can obtain a court order allowing them to seize any animal believed to have been neglected, abused or treated cruelly.
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A veterinarian can keep an animal believed to have been neglected, abused or treated cruelly.
Animal crashes
A driver who hits an undomesticated animal, such as a deer, does not have to report the crash to law enforcement if the crash only results in property damage, regardless of the amount of damage to the driver's vehicle.
Voter ID
Voters now have to bring a non-photo identification to the polls that shows their current address and birthdate. They will no longer be able to sign the affidavit on the back of the ballot swearing their eligibility to vote. North Dakotans without an ID can obtain one for free from the Department of Transportation.
Legible names
Someone signing a referendum, initiative or recall petition will have to print their name next to their signature.
Petition signatures
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A person that signs one or two names to a petition other than their own name can face a class A misdemeanor, punishable with up to one year in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both. Someone that signs more than two names will face a class C felony, punishable with five years in jail, a $10,000 fine, or both.
Lockout
A worker barred from returning to work by their employee is not eligible for unemployment benefits.
Missing child
A child under 13 missing for more than 24 hours must be reported to law enforcement or the child's caretaker can face a class C felony, punishable with up to five years in jail, a $10,000 fine, or both. A child older than 13, but younger than 17, must be reported if they are missing for 48 hours or the caretaker can face a class B misdemeanor, punishable with up to 30 days in jail, $1,500 fine, or both. The death of a child must be reported within two hours or the caretaker can face a class C Felony.
Oil wells
If a new oil well is within 1,000 feet of a home, the state Industrial Commission can require an oil producer to move the equipment at the site farther away from the home than the new well.
