AN ACT to amend and reenact section 1-03-13 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to changing the name of First Nations Day to Indigenous Peoples Day.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Collette Brown and 7 co-sponsors

Renames North Dakota’s First Nations Day to Indigenous Peoples Day, keeps the same annual proclamation date (Friday before the second Monday in October); no new duties or funding.

Filed with Secretary Of State 04/08

Summary — HB 1545 (North Dakota, 2025)

Title: An Act to amend and reenact section 1‑03‑13 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to changing the name of First Nations Day to Indigenous Peoples Day.

Status: Enacted — Signed by Governor 06/20/2025; effective immediately.

Sponsors: Representatives Finley‑DeVille, Brown, Davis, Dobervich, Holle; Senators Marcellais, Mathern, Walen.

Statutory change
- Amends North Dakota Century Code § 1‑03‑13.
- Replaces the statutory name “First Nations Day” with “Indigenous Peoples Day.”
- Retains the existing designation timing and requirement: the governor shall issue an annual proclamation designating the Friday before the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples Day.
- The statute’s purpose language remains to “recognize the indigenous peoples of the State of North Dakota and their contributions to the state and to the United States.”

Main purpose and intent
- To formally rename the state‑recognized observance from “First Nations Day” to “Indigenous Peoples Day,” affirming recognition of the Indigenous peoples of North Dakota and their contributions.

Key provisions and effects
- Name change only: the bill does not add new duties, change the observance date, or create a new program. It requires the governor to continue issuing an annual proclamation for the same calendar day (the Friday before the second Monday in October).
- No substantive changes to how the day is observed in statute; implementation will be administrative and symbolic (proclamations, official references, communications).
- No fiscal provisions or appropriations included.

Who is affected
- State government: Governor’s office (annual proclamation language and official references).
- State agencies, schools, municipalities, and organizations that reference or observe the day (will reflect the new official name).
- Tribal nations and Indigenous communities: symbolic and formal recognition through the statutory renaming.
- General public: official state materials and observances will adopt the new name.

Procedural history and timeline
- Introduced in the Sixty‑ninth Legislative Assembly (bill text and sponsors listed in enrolled version).
- Final legislative votes recorded on enrollment: House — Yeas 88, Nays 1; Senate — Yeas 46, Nays 0.
- Reported enrolled 06/02/2025; sent to Governor and signed 06/20/2025.
- Became effective immediately upon signature.

Notes
- The bill is limited in scope to a statutory renaming and proclamation requirement; it does not create a state holiday, funding, or new programs tied to the observance.