AN ACT to amend and reenact sections 15-01-02 and 15-05-09 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the powers of the board of university and school lands and leases on state lands.
SB 2302 establishes new rules for oil and gas lease applications on North Dakota state lands and school lands. It requires the industrial commission to set qualification standards for bidders, and if the highest bidder doesn't meet them, the commissioner must consider the second-highest bidder who meets the standards. Applicants rejected for not qualifying face a civil penalty equal to their bid amount. The bill directly affects companies seeking oil and gas leases on state or school lands managed by the board of university and school lands.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Signed into Law
Mar 2025
Introduced Jan 20, 2025
Signed Mar 31, 2025
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What changed between versions
FIRST ENGROSSMENT
→
Enrollment
·
5 edits
MODERATE
This bill amends North Dakota Century Code sections 15-01-02 and 15-05-09 to update the powers of the Board of University and School Lands regarding state public lands and leasing authority. The changes modernize the language to include new resource types like critical minerals and rare earth elements, clarify the board's authority over escheated property and permanent funds, and establish rules for energy infrastructure grants.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of resources the board can lease to include critical minerals, rare earth elements, and other naturally occurring elements and compounds beyond traditional oil, gas, coal, and building materials.
SCOPE
Added authority to lease lands containing critical minerals, rare earth elements, and other naturally occurring elements and compounds.
FISCAL
Added authority for the board to award and distribute energy infrastructure and impact grants from the oil and gas impact grant fund, with an annual limit of 60% of the biennial appropriation.
DEFINITION
Updated the list of resources the board can lease to include modern resource categories like critical minerals and rare earth elements.
ADDED
Added authority to expend moneys for making refunds when errors occur in managing lands, minerals, funds, or other property.
ENFORCEMENT
Added authority to cancel leases if a lessee intends to hinder or block development of resources.
Floor votes · Senate Feb 12, 2025 · House Mar 24, 2025
How they voted
45–2
Passed
Total votes 47
Feb 12, 2025
D
Democratic5
80% Yea
R
Republican42
97% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
16
Key actions
8
Committee
4
Apr 1, 2025
Introduced
Filed with Secretary Of State 03/31
legislature
Mar 31, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor 03/28
upper
Mar 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Second reading, passed, yeas 83 nays 9
lower
Mar 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported back, do pass, placed on consent calendar 12 0 1
lower
Mar 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee Hearing 09:00
lower
Feb 18, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, first reading, referred Energy and Natural Resources Committee
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Second reading, passed, yeas 45 nays 2
upper
Feb 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
Amendment adopted, placed on calendar
upper
Feb 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 6 0 1
upper
Jan 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee Hearing 11:00
upper
Jan 20, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, first reading, referred Energy and Natural Resources Committee
upper
1 primary · 5 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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