Warning: We Hated This Legislation Last Millennium. HB 1150 (Blue Laws)

Each legislative session, GNDC stands guard, analyzing legislation that impacts businesses. We champion bills that spark solutions and fuel growth, strengthening the state’s success. On the flip side, we aim to obliterate legislation that threatens to topple the delicate framework of North Dakota’s business climate.
 
We break down bills to highlight their merits—or their glaring consequences. Usually, we start with a bill we love (we see you, HB 1036, sitting pretty!). But every so often, a bill comes along that makes our blood boil. Hello there, HB 1150.
 
Why HB 1150 is a Disaster
This bill is a throwback in the worst way, attempting to reinstate Blue Laws—those archaic restrictions on Sunday sales. The complete repeal of Blue Laws happened in 2019, but GNDC had been battling these oppressive laws for decades. We’ve been in the trenches on this since before some legislators were born.
 
Let’s get real: Blue Laws originally banned activities like sports, driving, and even hunting. Over 130 years, these bans were slowly chipped away—but not without resistance, fines, and even jail time. By the mid-1980s, North Dakota held the dubious title of having the toughest Blue Laws in the nation. In 1989, GNDC’s president warned, “If we don’t turn our economy around, we’ll keep watching our local economies deteriorate and our young people leave the state.”
 
Fast forward to today, and here we are again—debating government control over business operations. GNDC isn’t saying stores must open on Sundays. We’re saying businesses should have the choice. Reinstating these restrictions doesn’t just stifle freedom; it sets a dangerous precedent.
 
The Absurdity of HB 1150
Let’s dive into the ridiculous details of this bill:
You can’t (direct from the language):

• Buy a freezer, television, forks and knives, clothing, or diamond rings
• Pay for a radio but you can rent recordings
• Purchase tools—unless they’re manual hand tools. (what will be more fun? Tree cutting or concrete work)
• Buy a baseball at a store, only the diamond.

You can:

• Buy pharmaceuticals, flowers, and beer (but don’t you dare shop for a new shirt at the mall).
• Attend a craft fair or rummage sale – maybe grab your new shirt there?
• Play bingo or purchase a Christmas tree (a roadside stand only).

 Need a plane ticket? Sure. Need luggage for your trip? Sorry, you’re out of luck. Want to fix your toilet? Is it an emergency? Who decides?
 
These restrictions are nonsensical, hurting Main Street businesses while driving dollars online and out of state. This bill creates winners and losers without clear logic. Even the ND Supreme Court once called Blue Laws difficult to enforce. Why complicate compliance again?
 
HB 1150 is completely out of sync with modern economic and social realities. Who should decide when businesses can open or what they can sell? Customers and business owners—not the law.
Does this bill address workforce issues? Absolutely not. Instead, it slashes earning opportunities for employees who rely on flexible weekend hours.
Is there anything redeemable in this bill? Nope. Not a single thing. It deserves to be thrown out—every which way from Sunday.
 
GNDC’s Verdict
This is a HARD NO from us. A red vote.
 
Legislators, consider this your SPOILER ALERT: HB 1150 will definitely be making an appearance on our pro-business scorecard.
 
North Dakota businesses deserve better. Let’s leave the Blue Laws in the history books where they belong.