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SB 2376

A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact subsection 5 of section 54-58-03 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a tribal-state gaming compact that permits gaming in Grand Forks County.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Landon Bahl and 3 co-sponsors

SB 2376 limits off-reservation Turtle Mountain Band gaming to defined Grand Forks County parcels, pending federal IGRA approval and a tribal-state compact.

Second reading, failed to pass, yeas 15 nays 29
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Bill Summary · SB 2376

Summary — SB 2376 (North Dakota) — Tribal‑state gaming compact permitting gaming in Grand Forks County

Status: Second reading — failed to pass (yeas 15, nays 29)
Introduced: March 12, 2025
Primary sponsors: Senators Meyer, Marcellais; Representatives Bahl, Davis
Companion bill: HB 2490

Purpose

SB 2376 would amend subsection 5 of NDCC § 54‑58‑03 to clarify and limit the geographic area in Grand Forks County where the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa could conduct gaming under a tribal‑state compact — subject to federal approval under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). The bill preserves the existing exception that allows gaming on Turtle Mountain trust lands in Rolette County.

Key provisions

  • Revises NDCC § 54‑58‑03(5) (the off‑reservation gaming prohibition/exception) to specify particular parcels in Grand Forks County where gaming by the Turtle Mountain Band may be conducted if:
    • those lands are approved by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior under IGRA; and
    • the tribal‑state compact authorizes such gaming.
  • The bill enumerates three legal descriptions (parcels in Section 30, Township 151 N, Range 50 W, Fifth Principal Meridian) — effectively limiting authorization to defined acreage rather than a general allowance for "land within Grand Forks County."
  • Retains the longstanding exception permitting gaming on Rolette County trust lands that were in trust as of the effective date of IGRA (1988).

Who would be affected

  • Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa: would gain a statutory pathway to conduct compacted gaming on specified Grand Forks County parcels, contingent on federal approval.
  • Grand Forks County and local governments: potential local economic, land‑use, tax and regulatory impacts if gaming operations were established on the described parcels.
  • State agencies and the Department of the Interior / Bureau of Indian Affairs: involved in review/approval and in negotiating/implementing any tribal‑state compact consistent with IGRA.
  • Local stakeholders (residents, businesses) potentially affected by economic and social impacts of proposed gaming operations.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • The bill was reengrossed to add the detailed legal descriptions of the Grand Forks parcels (second engrossment / reengrossed versions).
  • Legislative actions list committee referrals, amendments, and calendar placements. The most recent recorded action: second reading where the bill failed to pass (yeas 15, nays 29).
  • Because authorization also requires federal approval under IGRA, passage of this state statute would not by itself permit gaming — it would be one step enabling a compact to take effect if the Secretary of the Interior approves the land into trust or otherwise authorizes off‑reservation gaming under IGRA.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Passage would narrowly authorize a specific off‑reservation gaming location for the Turtle Mountain Band, which could enable economic development and job creation but also raise concerns over local impacts and regulatory jurisdiction.
  • Federal IGRA processes and compact negotiations remain necessary; state statute is permissive only after federal approval.
  • Because the bill failed the second reading, the authorization did not advance in this session absent further action or passage of the companion bill.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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