The North Dakota Senate voted down multiple bills on Feb. 17 that addressed foreign-adversary investments and development in the state.

Senate Bill 2,361, which would have extended a sunset clause and duplicated provisions in House Bill 1209, was defeated on final passage by a vote of 1–44 with one absent. Senator Castaneda, the bill’s carrier, said committee members recommended a do-not-pass and noted House Bill 1209 made parts of Senate Bill 2,361 unnecessary.

Senate Bill 23-37 (recorded as 23 37 on the floor), a reworking of earlier legislation, also failed on final passage with a 1–44 vote and one absent. The measure would have adjusted percentages and retained certain provisions for county and city authority related to development by foreign organizations; sponsors told the chamber the house-passed House Bill 1209 was a cleaner alternative.

Senate Bill 23-14, which would have created criminal penalties and a formal reporting path for suspected foreign-adversary development agreements, drew more discussion. Sponsor Senator Makram described the bill as creating “a path for justice,” directing sheriffs to state’s attorneys and notifying the North Dakota State and Local Intelligence Committee (ND SLIC) and federal authorities when suspicion arises. The Senate defeated that bill, 8 ayes to 37 nays with one absent.

Floor presenters and sponsors repeatedly pointed to House Bill 1209 as an overlapping vehicle expected to move through the legislature. Senator Wallin said the house bill “is a much cleaner bill” and that the house-passed measure addresses many of the same issues.

Senators expressed a mix of concern about foreign influence in local development and a desire to avoid duplicative or conflicting legislation. The defeated measures will not take effect; sponsors indicated related provisions will be considered as House Bill 1209 advances.