Bismarck, ND – The 2025 Legislative Session in Bismarck is set to begin tomorrow, and state officials are bracing for a busy and crucial few months. Lawmakers are preparing to tackle a wide range of issues, with more than a thousand bills already filed, marking the start of what promises to be a fast-paced legislative season.

The session kicks off at 10 a.m. on January 8, with a series of key addresses. The day will begin with a message on the tribal-state relationship, followed by the state of the judiciary address at 11 a.m. and the state of the state speech at 1:30 p.m.

John Bjornson, executive director of the Legislative Council, highlighted the importance of the legislative session, noting that lawmakers will work tirelessly for the next 80 days. “Everybody works hard at the Citizen Legislature,” said Bjornson. “They come here for 80 days. They leave their jobs, leave their homes, and move to Bismarck for a real significant amount of work that has a huge impact on the people of the state.”

Several major issues are expected to dominate the session, with property tax reform being one of the most pressing topics. Although a recent push to eliminate property taxes failed to gain statewide approval, new polling data shows that 81% of North Dakotans support property tax reform. Despite its importance, Bjornson acknowledged that tackling such a complex issue will take time. “It’s hard to take on a complex issue in a short amount of time,” he said. “Our legislators will work very hard over the next four months.”

In addition to property taxes, free school lunches are also on the table. Data suggests that North Dakotans are just as supportive of providing free meals to students as they are of property tax reform. The issue is expected to garner significant attention during the session.

Bjornson also pointed out that the legislative process in North Dakota is highly accessible to the public, thanks to online and archived livestreams of hearings. “We like to believe our legislative process is one of the most accessible in the country,” he said. “The accessibility is important in a rural state like this. People aren’t always aware of what their legislators are doing, so by livestreaming hearings, we can bring the Legislature to them.”

In addition to these high-profile issues, the Legislature will address other pressing matters, including challenges in filling leadership roles for higher education, appeals related to the Summit pipeline, the abortion ban, overcrowded prison systems, and the future of charitable gaming in the state.

For those looking to stay informed on the legislative proceedings, the ND Legislative Daily app will provide daily updates and allow the public to track the session’s progress.

As lawmakers prepare to tackle these critical issues, North Dakotans can expect a session filled with intense discussions, hard work, and decisions that could shape the future of the state.