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SB 2277

AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 24-01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to designating state highway 200 as the North Dakota fallen peace officers memorial highway; and to provide a continuing appropriation.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Keith Boehm and 5 co-sponsors

Designates ND Highway 200 as the Fallen Peace Officers Memorial Highway and allows up to one mile per officer/canine segment to be memorialized, funded by donated signs/funds.

Filed with Secretary Of State 03/18
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Bill Summary · SB 2277

Summary — North Dakota SB 2277 (2025)

Title: An Act to designate State Highway 200 as the North Dakota Fallen Peace Officers Memorial Highway and to provide a continuing appropriation.

Status: Filed with Secretary of State 03/18/2025 (signed by Governor 03/17/2025). Passed unanimously in both chambers (Senate 44–0; House 93–0).

Main purpose and intent

SB 2277 names the full east–west corridor of State Highway 200 across North Dakota as the “North Dakota Fallen Peace Officers Memorial Highway,” establishes a process for placing individual memorial designations along the route for officers (including canine officers) killed in the line of duty, and authorizes the Department of Transportation to accept and spend donated signs or funds for that purpose on a continuing basis.

Key provisions

  • Designation: Directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to officially designate State Highway 200 — from the Minnesota border to the Montana border — as the North Dakota Fallen Peace Officers Memorial Highway and to place signage reflecting that name along the route.
  • Individual memorial segments: Requires DOT to consult with families and associates of fallen North Dakota peace/law enforcement officers and handlers/owners of canine officers killed in the line of duty, to designate up to one mile of State Highway 200 to memorialize an individual officer or canine officer.
  • Donations and signs: Authorizes DOT to accept donated signs or donated funds for placement of memorial signage.
  • Continuing appropriation: Any funds donated to DOT for the placement of these signs are appropriated to DOT on a continuing basis for that purpose (no separate annual appropriation required).

Who is affected

  • North Dakota Department of Transportation: responsible for designation, sign placement, and managing donated funds and signs.
  • Families and associates of fallen peace officers and canine handlers/owners: will be consulted about individual memorial segments.
  • Law enforcement community and general public: will see the highway designation and individual memorial segments along Highway 200.
  • Donors: private individuals or organizations may donate signs or funds; those funds are dedicated to sign placement.

Fiscal and procedural notes

  • The bill authorizes acceptance and expenditure of donated funds specifically for memorial signs; those donated funds are placed in DOT control via a continuing appropriation. This structure minimizes or avoids reliance on general fund appropriations for sign costs.
  • The DOT must perform consultation and installation activities; timing for sign procurement/installation is not specified and will depend on departmental scheduling and availability of donated resources.
  • The measure passed both chambers unanimously and was signed by the Governor (signed 03/17/2025; filed with Secretary of State 03/18/2025), making it law.

Practical impact

  • State Highway 200 will carry a statewide memorial designation and visible signage honoring fallen peace officers.
  • Families may obtain a localized memorial segment (up to one mile) along the highway for individual officers (including canine officers).
  • Memorial signs and their costs can be covered through private donations, which DOT can accept and spend without requiring annual legislative appropriation.

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

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