BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) – A longstanding North Dakota lawmaker and chair of the House Appropriations Committee is not seeking reelection.

Rep. Don Vigesaa, R-Cooperstown, announced his plans to retire after 23 years of service. He will continue to represent District 29 in central North Dakota until his term ends Nov. 30.

Vigesaa served as a key lawmaker in crafting the state budget in 2023 and 2025 sessions. His leadership positions also included serving as assistant House majority leader and, more recently, co-leading the Joint Appropriations Committee during the special session that allocated nearly $400 million for state health initiatives over the next two years.

Vigesaa, who owned a car dealership, said his favorite piece of legislation during his career was eliminating a new vehicle rebate from being included in the state’s 5% vehicle excise tax.

Until that bill passed in 2009, people were paying 5% to the state on rebates they received when buying a new car, he said. “I had customers ask me, ‘Now, why do I have to pay tax on the rebate amount?’” Vigesaa said. “Well, I got that fixed.”

House Majority Leader Rep. Mike Lefor, R-Dickinson, said he breathed a sigh of relief when Vigesaa agreed to become chair of the House Appropriations Committee in 2023 because he was detail-oriented and analytical. Vigesaa served in that role again in the 2025 session.