Representative Culberson and other sponsors asked the committee to hold action on House Bill 1555 after discussions with the Secretary of State’s office, the Attorney General’s office and other stakeholders identified overlap with existing code and a pending proposal (12‑09) that addresses related issues.

Representative Sue Ann Olsen (District 8) told the committee that parts of HB 1555 — particularly a proposed extension of a sunset date — would be redundant or counterproductive while a governor‑led study and related bills are moving forward. “Let’s let them do their work,” Olsen said, recommending sponsors defer action and return with a unified approach.

Nut graf: Committee review identified two issues: (1) sections of the bill mirror language already in the Century Code and a simple date change was requested elsewhere; and (2) proposed changes could conflict with federal statutes, creating a risk that the existing provisions attracted litigation. The attorney general offered two narrow technical amendments to make the bill workable if it proceeds, and the Secretary of State said it was neutral on allowing the measure to pause.

Legal and administrative fixes proposed

Lisonbee Hicks, assistant attorney general, recommended removing language that would route certain filings to the Attorney General’s Office because violations under the cited chapters are typically prosecuted by county state’s attorneys and administered by the Department of Agriculture. Hicks also suggested removing language that would require the attorney general to prosecute in the registered agent’s county; accepted practice is to prosecute in Burleigh County District Court to reduce travel and costs.

Sandy McMurdie, deputy secretary of state, said the office was neutral and comfortable with the AG’s proposed edits and said it was “very comfortable with it going to sleep.” The committee closed the hearing on HB 1555 and said it would consider options, including waiting to act until related bill 12‑09 is available for review.

Ending: The committee took no final action on HB 1555; sponsors indicated they would either kill the bill or return with a revised proposal aligned with related measures and the governor’s study.