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SB 2059 North Dakota Senate · 69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26)

AN ACT to amend and reenact sections 61-04-05.1, 61-16.1-53.1, and 61-32-08 of North Dakota Century Code, relating to hearing and appeals processes of the department of water resources.

SB 2059 amends three specific sections of North Dakota's water resources law (sections 61-04-05.1, 61-16.1-53.1, and 61-32-08) to change the hearing and appeals procedures for the Department of Water Resources. The bill directly affects individuals and entities appealing water resource decisions, such as permits or enforcement actions. It modifies the existing legal framework for these appeals without specifying new substantive requirements, focusing solely on procedural changes to the process. The bill was enacted into law on March 17, 2025.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Jan 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Signed into Law
Mar 2025
Introduced Jan 7, 2025 Signed Mar 18, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

INTRODUCED → Enrollment · 7 edits
MODERATE
This bill updates North Dakota's water resource laws to clarify public comment and hearing procedures, and adds new enforcement powers for the Department of Water Resources regarding noncompliant dams and dikes. The changes streamline how the public can participate in water appropriation decisions and give the department authority to forward complaints to state attorneys and assess removal costs against property owners.
Scope change
The bill expands the department's enforcement authority to include forwarding complaints to state attorneys and assessing removal costs against property owners, while maintaining the existing scope for public hearings and appeals.
REQUIREMENT

Added requirement that electronic comment letters must be signed by the submitter to be considered valid

Changed department action options from returning matter to board or notifying landowner to include forwarding to state attorney

ENFORCEMENT

New provision allowing the department to forward dam/dike complaints and investigation reports to the state's attorney

New authority for the department to procure removal of noncompliant structures and assess costs against responsible landowners' property

TIMELINE

Added 15-day window for landowners to demand a hearing after receiving notice of noncompliance

TECHNICAL

Removed page numbering and formatting inconsistencies from the original text

Added session date information (January 7, 2025) and committee attribution to the bill header

Floor votes · Senate Jan 20, 2025 · House Mar 10, 2025

How they voted

47–0
Passed
Total votes 47
Jan 20, 2025
D Democratic5
5 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican42
42 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
15
Key actions
7
Committee
4
Mar 20, 2025
Introduced
Filed with Secretary Of State 03/18
legislature
Mar 18, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor 03/17
upper
Mar 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
Second reading, passed, yeas 91 nays 1
lower
Mar 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported back, do pass, placed on consent calendar 12 0 1
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee Hearing 01:30
lower
Feb 13, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, first reading, referred Energy and Natural Resources Committee
lower
Jan 20, 2025
Upper · Passed
Second reading, passed, yeas 47 nays 0
upper
Jan 16, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported back, do pass, place on calendar 7 0 0
upper
Jan 16, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee Hearing 10:00
upper
Jan 7, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, first reading, referred Energy and Natural Resources Committee
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.