Senators passed Senate Bill 23-36, which creates statutory regulation for elevators and a framework for inspections, contracts and licensing for elevator contractors, mechanics and inspectors. The Senate Industry and Business Committee brought the bill forward with a unanimous due-pass recommendation.

Senator Kessel, sponsor of the bill, said North Dakota was among the few states without established elevator safety protocols and emphasized the public-safety rationale. "This bill seeks to address these critical gaps by establishing fundamental safety standards for elevators and creating a framework for safety practices moving forward," Kessel said. He said the bill applies to elevators in public buildings and not to private residences, industrial/agricultural facilities or grain elevators. The measure assigns inspection and certification duties to the state electrical board, an existing entity with administrative and licensing experience.

Committee and floor discussion focused on implementation timing and cost. Senator Castaneda asked whether private businesses would be covered and what per-elevator costs private owners might face. Kessel said the bill is phased in over multiple years, noted the state does not have a registry of all existing elevators, and said the state electrical board intends to implement the program with a minimal fee structure.

Final tally on the Senate floor was 46 ayes, 1 nay, 0 absent; the bill passed.

Why it matters: the bill sets state safety standards and inspection requirements for elevators in public buildings, filling a regulatory gap committee members and supporters described as a public-safety risk. The statute creates a mechanism for certification and enforcement administered via an established board rather than a new agency.

Next steps: the state electrical board will be responsible for implementation details, registration and inspection scheduling; the bill’s phased implementation aims to allow private owners time to comply.