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HB 1429

Environment; prohibiting certain actions; emergency.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Brad Boles and 1 co-sponsor

ND HB 1429 criminalizes using robots (drones, AI devices) to harass, surveil, or track people and livestock, expanding stalking/harassment penalties and privacy protections.

Second Reading referred to Rules
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Bill Summary · HB 1429

Summary — HB 1429 (North Dakota)

Title: Amend and reenact sections 12.1‑17‑07 and 12.1‑17‑07.1, relating to harassment and stalking with a robot; provide penalties

Purpose / Intent

HB 1429 updates North Dakota criminal statutes to recognize and regulate the use of robots (including drones/remotely piloted aircraft and other automated systems) as means to harass, surveil, photograph, track, or otherwise target people, livestock, or property. The bill adds definitions, expands harassment and stalking offenses to cover conduct using robots, and creates related prohibitions and penalties for surveillance and animal harassment by robots.

Key definitions

  • Robot: an artificial object or system that senses, processes, and acts using technology, including communication links and artificial intelligence; expressly includes remotely piloted aircraft.
  • Harass (animals): behavior that annoys, threatens, or intimidates an animal causing behavioral change from stress or perceived harm.
  • Livestock: enumerated agricultural animals (beef/dairy cattle, sheep, swine, poultry, horses, bison, elk, fur animals, etc.).
  • Course of conduct (stalking): pattern of two or more acts showing continuity; expressly includes acts conducted with a robot under the actor’s direct control.

Major provisions / Changes

  • Harassment statute (12.1‑17‑07): adds use of a robot to engage in offensive conduct with no legitimate purpose as an offense. Harassment remains a class B misdemeanor generally; certain harassment (e.g., threats under subdivision a or specified conduct) is a class A misdemeanor.
  • Stalking statute (12.1‑17‑07.1): expands definitions and expressly includes use of a robot (and GPS or other electronic means) to track or stalk a person. Stalking remains prohibited; penalties escalate to a class C felony if the offender has prior related convictions, violates a protective order, or has prior stalking convictions; otherwise stalking is a class A misdemeanor.
  • New provisions on surveillance and animal harassment by robot (new chapter to Title 12.1 and amendments in first engrossment):
    • Prohibits use of a robot to surveil or photograph another person or private property where the person has a reasonable expectation of privacy.
    • Prohibits intentional or reckless harassment of livestock or wildlife by robot.
    • Penalties for animal harassment:
    • Intentional or reckless harassment of livestock: class B misdemeanor.
    • Harassment causing physical injury or death to livestock: class A misdemeanor.
    • Intentional harassment of wildlife: class B misdemeanor.
  • Exceptions: law enforcement activity conducted under existing statutory frameworks, surveillance with the subject’s consent, photography of public events, and licensed private investigators or peace officers acting within the scope of employment are excepted.

Who is affected

  • Drone and robot operators (private individuals, hobbyists, journalists, researchers, activists)
  • Farmers, ranchers, and livestock producers (protections from interference or injury)
  • Victims of stalking/harassment whose conduct may involve robots or electronic tracking
  • Law enforcement and licensed investigators (explicit scope-of-employment exceptions)

Procedural / timeline notes

  • The bill was passed unanimously on recorded floor votes (House 91–0; Senate 45–0 in the enrolled copy provided).
  • Legislative actions indicate the bill was signed and transmitted to the Governor and filed with the Secretary of State in April 2025 (notified as Act 854). (Consult the official session laws for the bill’s effective date and Act number.)

Practical impact

  • Modernizes harassment and stalking law to address emerging technologies (drones, AI-equipped devices).
  • Creates criminal liability where robots are used to invade privacy, intimidate people, or harass/ harm animals — strengthening legal remedies for affected persons and agricultural operations while preserving narrowly drawn exceptions for authorized activities.

For the exact statutory language, cross‑references, and effective date, consult the enrolled bill / Act 854 in the North Dakota Century Code.

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

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