The North Dakota House of Representatives voted 46‑45 to defeat House Bill 12‑98 after debate over higher highway speed limits, speeding fines and a study of the points system.

Representative Koppelman presented the conference committee report and described the package as a compromise retaining an 80‑mph cap on interstates while simplifying and adjusting the fine structure. He told members the committee “came up with a reasonable compromise” and that the measure maintains an 80‑mile‑per‑hour limit and permits variable speed limit signs if the Department of Transportation funds them elsewhere.

Under the conference language described on the floor, the fine structure would keep a table for interstates and divided highways at $5 per mile over the limit, with a $20 minimum. For other zones not in that table, the bill moved to $3 per mile over the limit with a $20 minimum. A $20 additional “kicker” would apply to violations 16 miles per hour or more above the limit; Representative Koppelman explained the kicker is added to whatever the table computes (for example, 20 mph over at $3/mile would be $60 plus a $20 kicker for an $80 fine).

Opponents raised safety and equity concerns. Representative Schatz said truckers warned him that national trucking policy often limits speeds to 65 mph and that raising a highway maximum to 80 could create speed differentials that worsen safety. Schatz also opposed larger fines as burdensome for people who cannot afford increased penalties.

The final recorded vote defeated the bill, 46 yea to 45 nay, and the measure failed on final consideration.