May 30, 2025
Armstrong signs remaining bills, uses vetoes to protect budgeting process, executive authority
Gov. Kelly Armstrong signed the remaining bills from the 2025 legislative session while also using his line-item veto authority on portions of six bills.
“From the start of this session, we struck a collaborative tone with the Legislature, and North Dakotans ultimately came out the winners with historic property tax relief, major infrastructure investments and game-changing legislation to limit cellphone distractions in our schools,” Armstrong said. “Through limited use of my line-item veto authority, we’ve reduced spending, protected the integrity of the budgeting process and preserved executive branch authority to ensure that state government remains efficient and transparent.”
The 69th Legislative Assembly convened Jan. 7 and adjourned May 3. Armstrong had 15 business days to sign bills delivered to the Governor’s Office within the last three days of session.
Lawmakers sent a total of 601 bills to the governor’s desk for consideration. Armstrong signed 597 bills, including six bills that contained a total of seven line-item partial vetoes. Four bills were vetoed in their entirety.
 Gov. Armstrong released the following statement today in observance of Memorial Day. Armstrong paid tribute to the nation’s military heroes during the Memorial Day ceremony at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery near Mandan.
“Because of these selfless men and women, we live in the greatest country on Earth. And we must never take for granted the freedoms we enjoy – or forget those who died to protect them,” Armstrong said. “While today is a day for remembrance, it’s also a day for commitment. We can live our lives in a way that honors the memories of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. To be a worthy nation, we must be worthy of their service – to continue to support and care for those who have served, making sure that they and their families have the resources they need to live healthy, fulfilling lives.”
First Lady Kjersti Armstrong reads to children at the Summer Reading Kickoff at Bismarck library
 First Lady Kjersti Armstrong helped kick off summer with the Bismarck Veterans Memorial Library Summer Reading event. Children in attendance also participated in activities hosted by Gateway to Science, Dakota Zoo and Northern Plains Dance.
This year's theme was "Color Our World" and was focused on all of the various art forms in which people can participate.
 Gov. Armstrong issued the following statement regarding the passing of state Rep. Cynthia “Cindy” Schreiber-Beck of Wahpeton.
“Cindy Schreiber-Beck served the citizens of North Dakota with a quiet strength and determination that touched so many facets of life, from agriculture and aviation to education and community development, and it was an honor to call her a friend,” Armstrong said. “She embodied what it means to be a public servant, a volunteer and someone who gives back to their community, their industry and their profession. Her care and compassion for our farmers, students and North Dakotans from every walk of life was evident in everything she did in the legislative chambers and the private sector, and her legacy endures in every classroom and at every airport across North Dakota. Kjersti and I extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends and legislative colleagues.”
Schreiber-Beck was first elected to the state House of Representatives in November 2014, representing District 25, and was re-elected to four-year terms in 2018 and 2022. She served on the House Education and Agriculture committees, advocating for legislation that supported agriculture, education, aviation, research and innovation.
Schreiber-Beck and her husband, Gerry Beck, operated Tri-State Aviation in Wahpeton, which she continued after his death in 2007. She served as executive director of the North Dakota Agricultural Aviation Association for nearly four decades and was inducted into the North Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame on March 4, 2025, becoming its 50th inductee. She also served as a commissioner on the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission from 1997 to 2022 and was a member of the governor’s task force in 2013 that helped establish North Dakota as one of the nation’s first unmanned aerial systems (UAS) test sites, in Grand Forks.
 Gov. Armstrong took part Wednesday in a signing ceremony to celebrate Talon Metals securing a site for its proposed Beulah Minerals Processing Facility on the former Westmoreland Mining coal mine near Beulah. The ceremony marked a milestone in the development of the facility, which will process high-grade nickel and copper ore from the Tamarack mine in Minnesota and other potential sources to produce minerals for batteries.
“By processing domestically sourced nickel and copper for batteries right here in North Dakota, we will strengthen the U.S. supply chain, reduce our reliance on foreign sources and enhance our economic and national security,” Armstrong said. “We commend Talon for working with Westmoreland to secure a site with existing infrastructure and appreciate the efforts of local leaders, our congressional delegation and the North Dakota Department of Commerce for their instrumental role in the site selection process that landed the project in Beulah.”
Talon announced plans for the facility in Mercer County in October 2022, supported by a nearly $115 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. The project represents a total investment of up to $365 million and will create up to 150 jobs for workers to process critical minerals for batteries, in addition to construction jobs, according to Talon.
IN OTHER NEWS
 Join Us for the 2025 Government to Government (G2G) Conference June 4–5, 2025 | Bismarck Event Center | Bismarck, ND
The North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission invites you to the annual G2G Conference—bringing together Tribal, State, Federal, and Private Industry leaders to strengthen relationships and advance meaningful collaboration.
This free, two-day event is open to all who are committed to building stronger partnerships with North Dakota’s five federally recognized Tribal Nations:
- Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation (Three Affiliated Tribes)
- Spirit Lake Nation
- Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
- Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians
- Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Nation
Hear from Tribal leaders, Governor Kelly Armstrong, state officials, and federal representatives. The conference will feature a wide range of breakout sessions addressing timely topics relevant to our state and region.
👉 Register here: G2G Conference Registration
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Gov. Armstrong welcomed Gary, the newest member of the North Dakota Highway Patrol, to the Capitol.
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Gov. Armstrong welcomed NDSU students participating in the "Bison to the Bakken" program to Black Leg Ranch. The program introduces students to western North Dakota's energy industry and economic development and is a great way to promote workforce development.
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In Watford City, Gov. Armstrong highlighted infrastructure projects and legislative updates relevant to western North Dakota in remarks to the Western ND Energy Roundtable.
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Gov. Armstrong helped kick off the summer baseball season, throwing the first pitch at the Bismarck Larks game and the Badlands Big Sticks game in Dickinson.
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North Dakota was ranked the fourth-most military-friendly state in the nation by Wallet Hub.
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