Energy (Oil & Gas)

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.

Relating to the state share of oil and gas tax revenue allocations, the municipal infrastructure fund, and the county and township infrastructure fund.

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.