North Dakota publishes September special-session laws
By Staff Writer · Published 10/20/2026, 7:08:09 PM ET
The official compilation covers a $20 million military-museum credit line and new kratom licensing, testing and age restrictions that took effect September 4.
North Dakota's Legislative Branch released the official Session Laws for the September special session on October 20. The compilation contains two laws passed during the September 2-4 session and filed with the secretary of state on September 4.
Senate Bill 2407 authorizes the State Historical Society to borrow up to $20 million from the Bank of North Dakota for the North Dakota military museum project through June 30, 2027. Lawmakers stated an intent to provide $39.2 million in state funding, plus interest on the new credit line, while using donations for remaining costs.
House Bill 1628 creates a state licensing system for kratom processors and retailers. It sets a $10,000 initial fee and a $5,000 annual renewal fee, bars sales to people under 21, prohibits kratom extracts and child-oriented products, and requires locked counter storage, product labels and laboratory testing.
The kratom law defines permitted pure-leaf kratom as containing no more than 0.05% 7-hydroxymitragynine by dry weight. Unlicensed manufacture, distribution, advertising or sale is a class B misdemeanor, and licensed businesses face escalating fines and suspensions for violations.
Both laws became effective when filed September 4. The attorney general must adopt administrative rules before issuing kratom licenses, and the law provides $20,000 for a state public-health campaign through June 30, 2027. The military-museum measure requires quarterly project and financing reports during the 2027-28 interim.
What it means
For kratom businesses, the law establishes age, product, labeling, storage and testing requirements now, but the licensing process cannot begin until the attorney general adopts rules. The official compilation does not provide that rulemaking timetable.
For the military museum, the law supplies borrowing authority rather than a completed payment. The Historical Society may use the credit line only after previously appropriated strategic-fund money is spent, and donations are designated for repayment. If donations collected by March 31, 2029, are insufficient, lawmakers are directed to consider extending the credit line or another repayment source.
Source
This State & Nation summary is based on North Dakota Legislative Branch’s original release, dated 2026-10-20. The reporting and statistics above are attributed to that publication.