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HB 1241

Elections; officers of county election boards; secretary; voting; effective date.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Denise Crosswhite Hader

ND HB1241 tightens Class B emergency exemptions and lamp rules: amber/white lights visible 500 ft required to exercise exemptions; bans most flashing/colored lamps to curb misuse.

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Bill Summary · HB 1241

Summary — HB 1241 (North Dakota, 69th Legislative Assembly / Act 568)

Title: AN ACT to amend and reenact sections 39-10-03.1 and 39-21-26 of the North Dakota Century Code — class B authorized emergency vehicles and special restrictions on lamps on motor vehicles or equipment.

Main purpose

To revise rules governing (1) the limited traffic exemptions available to "class B" authorized emergency vehicles and the lighting required for those exemptions, and (2) restrictions on vehicle lamps and the permitted use of flashing lights on vehicles or equipment.

Key provisions (statutory changes)

  • Amends NDCC § 39-10-03.1 (Class B authorized emergency vehicles)

    • Confirms that drivers of class B authorized emergency vehicles may:
    • Park or stand regardless of general parking rules;
    • Exceed posted speed limits during a local or national disaster provided they do not endanger life or property;
    • Disregard certain movement/turning regulations.
    • Limits those exceptions to times when the vehicle is displaying an amber and white light visible under normal conditions for 500 feet in any direction.
    • Clarifies the circumstances when exemptions may be used:
    • when necessary for immediate protection of life or property;
    • when the vehicle is stopped on a highway while performing a required duty; or
    • when traveling slower than the normal flow of traffic.
    • Permits a class B vehicle to display a flashing blue light only when stopped on a highway; prohibits flashing blue lights while transporting another vehicle or while traveling on a highway.

  • Amends NDCC § 39-21-26 (Special restrictions on lamps)

    • Limits beam intensity: any auxiliary lamp (other than headlamps, spot/auxiliary lamps, flashing turn signals, emergency vehicle warning lamps, and schoolbus warning lamps) projecting >300 candlepower must be directed so the high‑intensity portion does not strike the roadway more than 75 feet from the vehicle.
    • Prohibits operation of a vehicle on a highway with a red or green light visible from directly in front of the vehicle, except where a front red light is expressly authorized by statute.
    • Prohibits flashing lights except when on specified authorized vehicles or uses, including authorized emergency vehicles, schoolbuses, snow‑removal equipment, funeral home vehicles (limited to flashing purple while escorting a procession in some versions), or as turn/hazard indicators.

Who is affected

  • Class B authorized emergency vehicle drivers and their agencies (local emergency responders covered by that classification).
  • Vehicle operators, vehicle lighting/equipment installers, and manufacturers (must comply with beam intensity and color/flash limits).
  • Specific vehicle classes noted in statute (schoolbuses, snow‑removal equipment, funeral home escort vehicles).
  • Law enforcement and traffic safety officials (enforcement and guidance responsibilities).

Procedural status and timeline

  • Introduced: November 12, 2024.
  • Read and moved through both chambers in early 2025; recorded votes show unanimous passage in both House (91–0) and Senate (46–0).
  • Signed by the Governor: April 10, 2025.
  • Filed with Secretary of State: April 11, 2025 — listed as Act 568. (Enrollment records indicate the bill was correctly enrolled and transmitted to the Governor prior to signing.)

Anticipated impacts

  • Operational: Provides clearer, narrower lighting and visibility requirements tied to when class B vehicles may use statutory traffic exemptions — intended to balance responder flexibility with public safety.
  • Regulatory/enforcement: Clarifies prohibited lamp colors and flash uses; may reduce inappropriate use of high‑intensity or colored/flashing lights by private vehicles.
  • Fiscal: No explicit fiscal provisions. Implementation and enforcement are expected to be handled within existing agency resources unless local practices change materially.

For the exact statutory language and effective date, consult the enrolled/official Act 568 and the amended North Dakota Century Code sections 39-10-03.1 and 39-21-26.

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

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