Energy

Relating to the membership of the clean sustainable energy authority and the clean sustainable energy fund line of credit; and to provide for a transfer.

Relating to standards for well drilling and installation of water well pumps, pitless units, and monitoring wells, a boards review task force, a water well contractors advisory board, and requirements for firms engaged in water well work, installation of water well pump and pitless units, monitoring well work, and drilling of geothermal systems; to amend and reenact section 6‑09‑43, subdivision j of subsection 2 of section 15.1‑01‑04, sections 15.1‑07‑33 and 23‑35‑02.2, subsection 1 of section 50‑06‑01.4, sections 52‑02‑02 and 52‑02‑08, subsection 1 of section 54‑07‑01.2, sections 54‑54‑05, 54‑59‑26, 54‑59‑27, 54‑59‑34, 54‑59‑36, 54‑59‑37, 54‑59‑39, 61‑03‑01.3, 61‑04.1‑03, 61‑04.1‑08, 61‑04.1‑09, 61‑04.1‑12, 61‑04.1‑14, 61‑04.1‑15, 61‑04.1‑16, 61-04.1‑17, 61‑04.1‑18, 61‑04.1‑19, 61‑04.1‑20, 61‑04.1‑21, 61‑04.1‑33, 61‑04.1‑34, 61‑04.1‑37, 61‑04.1‑38, and 61‑04.1‑39, and subdivision a of subsection 2 of section 65‑02‑03.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the wastewater recycling treatment guide, boards and commissions, the unemployment insurance advisory council, gubernatorial appointments, the committee on aging, health information technology advisory committee, statewide longitudinal data system committee, atmospheric resource board, the department of health and human services, the council on the arts, the state engineer, the superintendent of public instruction, job service North Dakota, and workforce safety and insurance coordinating committee; to repeal chapter 8‑11.1, sections 12‑48‑06.1, 15.1‑37‑05, 15.1‑37‑06, and 15.1‑37‑08, chapter 17‑07, sections 19‑24.1‑38, 19‑24.1‑39, and 23‑35‑02.3, chapters 34‑16 and 43‑35, sections 50‑06‑05.6, 50‑06.4‑10, 50‑11.1‑25, 50‑11.1‑26, 50‑11.1‑27, 52‑02‑07, 54‑34.3‑10, 54‑54‑10, 54‑59‑25, 54‑59‑33, 54‑59‑35, 54‑59‑38, 54‑60‑25, 55‑01‑13, 55‑01‑14, 61‑04.1‑04, 61‑04.1‑05, 61‑04.1‑06, 61‑04.1‑07, and 61‑04.1‑10, and chapter 61‑36 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to occupational and professional boards, the midwest interstate passenger rail compact, prison industry advisory committee, energy policy commission, medical marijuana advisory committee, onsite wastewater recycling technical committee, state board of water well contractors, committee on aging, brain injury advisory council, early childhood council, unemployment insurance advisory council, commission on the status of women, health information technology advisory committee, poet laureate nominating board, rural development council, America 250 commission, atmospheric resource board, and Devils Lake outlet management advisory committee; to provide for a legislative management report; to provide an effective date; and to provide an expiration date.

SB 2143 amends North Dakota law concerning the funding of the state energy research center fund. This bill establishes a continuing appropriation, ensuring that revenue will be automatically deposited into the fund without needing annual legislative approval. The measure aims to provide a consistent financial basis for the state's energy research efforts. However, this continuing appropriation is set to expire on a specific date.

SB 2360 directs North Dakota's legislature to conduct a study during the 2025-26 interim on developing geothermal energy within the state. The study must evaluate North Dakota's geology for geothermal potential, support startup companies in the sector, explore using geothermal energy in existing oil and gas wells, and identify other opportunities for geothermal development. It does not create new laws but requires the legislature to report findings and any needed legislation to the next legislative assembly. This study directly affects state lawmakers and future energy policy decisions, focusing on assessing feasibility before potential policy action.

Relating to renewable electricity and recycled energy credits; and to repeal section 49‑02‑30 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to energy from hydroelectric facilities.

HB 1474 proposes a new tax based on the square footage of residential properties in North Dakota, replacing the traditional ad valorem tax for many homeowners. It directly affects residential property owners (including single-family homes, condos, and townhouses), local governments that collect taxes, and businesses installing solar/wind/geothermal systems through new tax credits. Key provisions include establishing a per-square-foot tax rate on both land and structures, modifying existing property tax credit rules for energy-efficient installations, and requiring county boards to adjust tax assessments under new valuation requirements. The bill also repeals an existing exemption for new residential properties and sets limits on how much local governments can levy through this new tax structure. The bill failed to pass in the North Dakota legislature on March 11, 2025, with 5 votes in favor and 42 against.

HB 1275 proposes a one-time $5 million appropriation from North Dakota's strategic investment fund to create a natural gas infrastructure grant program administered by the Industrial Commission. The program would provide grants exclusively to cities with populations under 10,000 for installing natural gas pipelines and related infrastructure. Funds are limited to the 2025-2027 biennium and cannot be used for other purposes, with the Industrial Commission responsible for setting eligibility rules and maximum grant amounts. The bill does not affect individuals or larger municipalities outside the specified population threshold.

HB 1292 would remove carbon dioxide pipelines from being classified as "common pipeline carriers" under North Dakota law. This change directly affects owners and operators of CO2 pipelines by exempting them from requirements to transport any customer's CO2 without discrimination at set rates. The bill amends sections 49-19-01, 49-19-11, and 49-19-19 of the North Dakota Century Code to exclude CO2 pipelines from the definition and rules governing common carriers. This policy shift modifies how CO2 pipeline operations are regulated, separating them from traditional oil/gas pipeline common carrier obligations.

Relating to the evaluation of economic development tax incentives, the carbon dioxide capture and injection use tax exemption, and the ad valorem property tax exemption for carbon dioxide capture equipment used for enhanced oil recovery and secure geologic storage; to repeal sections 57‑06‑17.1, 57‑06‑17.2, and 57‑39.2‑04.14 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the carbon dioxide pipeline exemption, payments in lieu of taxes for certain carbon dioxide pipeline property, and the carbon dioxide capture and injection sales tax exemption; and to provide an effective date.

HB 1309 would require North Dakota state agencies to verify that companies they contract with do not boycott energy (including fossil fuels), mining, production agriculture, or firearms industries. Companies must confirm they aren’t refusing business with entities in these sectors to penalize them, as defined by the bill. This applies to for-profit businesses with 10+ employees and $100,000+ in value. Exceptions exist if services aren’t commercially available or if the contract conflicts with legal duties. The bill is pending, having failed committee review in January 2025.