The North Dakota Legislature's conference committee made significant strides in simplifying the legislative process during their meeting on April 17, 2025. The committee approved an amendment to HB 1248, aimed at streamlining the procedures for introducing insurance mandates following a pilot program.

Rebecca Frickey, Executive Director of the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), presented the changes, which included a reorganization of the bill's sections for clarity. Notably, the amendment removes the requirement for a cost-benefit analysis to be conducted at the beginning of the pilot program. Instead, this analysis will now be required only if a bill is introduced to roll out the measure to the commercial market after the pilot's completion. This adjustment is expected to reduce unnecessary complexity and enhance the efficiency of the legislative process.

The committee also decided to eliminate the PERS board's role in submitting bills post-pilot, placing that responsibility on the entity wishing to advance the legislation. Additionally, the involvement of the insurance department in the cost-benefit analysis process has been removed, further simplifying the framework.

The committee's discussions highlighted a shared appreciation for the clarity and simplicity of the revised process, with members expressing confidence that these changes would make the legislation easier to understand and implement. The amendment was adopted unanimously, signaling strong bipartisan support for the initiative.

Senator Roars and Representative Greenberg were designated to carry the bill forward in the Senate and House, respectively, marking a collaborative effort to ensure the successful passage of this streamlined approach. The committee's work reflects a commitment to improving legislative efficiency and responsiveness to community needs.