Relating to a wastewater infrastructure grant program and the duties of the department of environmental quality; to authorize a Bank of North Dakota line of credit; to provide an appropriation; to provide for a legislative management study; and to declare an emergency.
HB 1017 provides $104.7 million in state and federal funds to North Dakota's Game and Fish Department for the 2025-2027 biennium, covering salaries, habitat programs, deer depredation control, and operational costs. It includes specific allocations like $27.2 million for land habitat and $2.5 million for aquatic nuisance species management. The bill also allows the department to transfer up to $2 million between budget lines during the biennium and sets rules for conservation agreements with landowners. This is a funding bill, not a policy change, and directly affects only the Game and Fish Department's budget operations.
Relating to septic systems and the environmental quality advisory committee; to amend and reenact sections 23‑35‑02, 23‑35‑08, 23.1‑01‑03, and 23.1‑17‑01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the powers and duties of the department of environmental quality, boards of health, and public health units; to repeal sections 23‑35‑02.2 and 23‑35‑02.3 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the onsite wastewater recycling technical committee; to provide an appropriation; to provide for a transfer; and to provide an effective date.
This concurrent resolution (SCR 4012) from the North Dakota legislature urges Congress to permit the use of M-44 sodium cyanide devices on private land. It directly affects livestock producers and wildlife management programs by seeking to allow these devices to control predators that threaten livestock and endangered species. The resolution states that when used with landowner permission and safety measures (like warning signs), the devices pose no occupational risk to humans. As a non-binding request to Congress, it does not change current law but asks for legislative action to permit their use on private property.
Relating to conservation easements and leaseholds; and to amend and reenact sections 4.1‑01‑21, 4.1‑01‑21.1, and 49‑22‑09.2 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the federal environmental law impact review fund, the environmental impact mitigation fund, and mitigating environmental impacts; and to declare an emergency.
This North Dakota resolution urges Congress to create federal protections for the wild horse herd at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. It highlights the herd's historical connection to Theodore Roosevelt's era, its role in preserving North Dakota's cultural identity, and its economic benefits through tourism. The resolution specifically requests Congress enact legislation to ensure the long-term health and preservation of the herd. As a concurrent resolution, it does not create law but formally requests federal action.
SB 2368 creates a state-administered grant program for infrastructure projects on North Dakota's national grasslands, directly benefiting cooperative grazing associations and their representative organizations. Grants fund specific improvements like water systems, fencing, conservation work, wildlife habitat enhancements, and carbon capture initiatives, all located on federally managed grasslands. Organizations receiving grants must provide a $1 nonstate match for every $4 in state funding and develop approved grazing land plans with local soil conservation districts. The agriculture commissioner will oversee the program, focusing on practical infrastructure upgrades to support sustainable grazing operations.
HCR 3016 is a non-binding resolution passed by North Dakota's legislature urging state and federal officials to maintain policies supporting carbon capture technology and CO₂ utilization for enhanced oil recovery. It highlights that CO₂ from energy and agriculture facilities can unlock additional oil production in the Bakken Formation - potentially adding billions of barrels - and supports North Dakota's oil industry (which contributes $8 million daily in tax revenue) and coal sector (12,000 jobs). The resolution specifically asks the federal government to incentivize CO₂ use in oil recovery and partner with North Dakota to advance these technologies. It does not create new laws but encourages existing policy continuity to boost energy security and economic benefits.
HB 1611 requires North Dakota's legislative management to conduct a study during the 2025-26 interim on environmental and public health risks from oil and chemical spills on state highways within the Fort Berthold Reservation. The study must include input from the Three Affiliated Tribes, the Department of Environmental Quality, and the Department of Health and Human Services. It mandates that the legislative management report findings, recommendations, and any needed legislation to the next legislative assembly. The bill directly affects tribal communities and state agencies managing highway safety and environmental risks on reservation lands. (Note: The bill failed to pass in February 2025, but the summary describes its intended purpose.)
HB 1236 amends North Dakota law to specify that hunting and fishing license fees and application fees can only fund state wildlife and fish department programs unrelated to chronic wasting disease (CWD). The bill restricts the use of these fees, ensuring they cannot support CWD management or research. It directly affects the North Dakota Game and Fish Department by altering how it allocates revenue from hunting and fishing permits. The change clarifies that existing fee revenue must be used for general department administration, not specific disease-related initiatives. The bill failed to pass in the legislature during the 2025 session.
