HB 1218 North Dakota House · 69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26)

AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 61-02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a temporary moratorium on conducting an economic analysis for assessment drain projects; to amend and reenact section 61-02-01.3 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to comprehensive water development plans; to provide for a legislative management study; and to provide an expiration date.

Summary

Relating to a temporary moratorium on conducting an economic analysis for assessment drain projects; to amend and reenact section 61‑02‑01.3 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to comprehensive water development plans; to provide for a legislative management study; and to provide an expiration date.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Jan 10, 2025 Signed May 2, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

FIRST ENGROSSMENT → Enrollment · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill creates a temporary two-year moratorium (August 1, 2025 through July 31, 2027) on requiring economic analyses for assessment drain projects in North Dakota. It also updates the threshold for requiring economic analyses for flood control and water conveyance projects from $750,000 to $1,000,000 and establishes a legislative management study to review economic analysis formulas and cost thresholds for future legislation.

Scope change

The bill applies specifically to assessment drain projects within North Dakota during the specified two-year period, temporarily exempting them from economic analysis requirements that would otherwise apply.

TIMELINE

Establishes a two-year moratorium from August 1, 2025 to July 31, 2027, during which state agencies cannot require economic analyses for assessment drain projects.

REQUIREMENT

Increases the cost threshold for requiring economic analyses for flood control and water conveyance projects from $750,000 to $1,000,000.

Creates a legislative management study during the 2025-26 interim to examine economic analysis formulas and projected cost thresholds for future legislation.

Removed language requiring life cycle analysis for municipal water supply projects under $750,000, as this requirement was not included in the final version.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 28, 2025 · House Apr 25, 2025

How they voted

41–6

Passed

Total votes 47

Apr 28, 2025

D Democratic5

3 Yea 2 Nay

60% Yea

R Republican42

38 Yea 4 Nay

90% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jun 11, 2025

Introduced

Filed with Secretary Of State 05/02

legislature

May 2, 2025

Signed into law

Signed by Governor 05/01

lower

Apr 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 41 nays 6

upper

Apr 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Conference committee report adopted

upper

Apr 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported back from conference committee, in place of, placed on calendar

upper

Apr 25, 2025

Lower · Passed

Second reading, passed, yeas 92 nays 1

lower

Apr 25, 2025

Lower · Passed

Conference committee report adopted

lower

Apr 24, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported back from conference committee, in place of, placed on calendar

lower

Apr 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

Conference committee appointed Kessel Enget Gerhardt

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Conference committee appointed Hagert Novak Dockter

lower

Apr 2, 2025

Upper · Passed

Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 25 nays 21

upper

Mar 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

Amendment adopted, placed on calendar

upper

Mar 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 6 1 0

upper

Mar 13, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee Hearing 11:00

upper

Feb 20, 2025

Introduced

Introduced, first reading, referred Energy and Natural Resources Committee

upper

Feb 18, 2025

Lower · Passed

Second reading, passed, yeas 89 nays 0

lower

Feb 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

Amendment adopted, placed on calendar

lower

Feb 14, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 11 0 2

lower

Jan 30, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee Hearing 09:00

lower

Jan 10, 2025

Introduced

Introduced, first reading, referred Energy and Natural Resources Committee

lower

1 primary · 10 co-sponsors