A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact sections 61-32-03 and 61-32-03.3 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to drainage permits.

HB 1544 amends North Dakota's drainage permit requirements to clarify rules for landowners installing drainage systems. It requires permits for draining water bodies with 80+ acres of watershed or smaller systems affecting downstream property, involving investigations to prevent flooding damage and flowage easements if needed. For smaller subsurface drainage systems (under 80 acres), landowners must notify downstream neighbors and water districts 60 days in advance, follow specific installation rules (like erosion controls), and may need full permits if objections are raised. The bill directly affects agricultural landowners installing drainage systems, with provisions applying only to land used for crops or grazing. It does not cover systems discharging into fully owned water bodies.