Environment

failed · North Dakota · House Feb 24, 2025

HB 1538: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 4.1-01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to creating a spay and neuter awareness grant program; to amend and reenact section 4.1-41-19 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the environment and rangeland protection fund; and to provide an appropriation.

Relating to creating a spay and neuter awareness grant program; to amend and reenact section 4.1‑41‑19 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the environment and rangeland protection fund; and to provide an appropriation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAmends environment and rangeland protection fund (4.1-41-19) and provides appropriation for environmental conservation, directly advancing environmental protection efforts.90% confidence

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signed · North Dakota · Senate Apr 18, 2025

SB 2333: AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 4.1-01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a low-carbon fuels fund; to amend and reenact sections 39-04-39 and 54-44.5-09 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the distribution of certain vehicle registration fees and ethanol production incentives; to repeal chapter 17-02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to ethanol production incentives; to provide a continuing appropriation; to provide for a transfer; and to provide for a report.

Relating to a low-carbon fuels fund; to amend and reenact sections 39‑04‑39 and 54‑44.5‑09 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the distribution of certain vehicle registration fees and ethanol production incentives; to repeal chapter 17‑02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to ethanol production incentives; to provide a continuing appropriation; to provide for a transfer; and to provide for a report.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates a low-carbon fuels fund and promotes cleaner energy incentives, directly advancing environmental protection through reduced emissions and clean energy funding.92% confidence

signed · North Dakota · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 2368: AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 4.1-01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a grasslands grazing grant program.

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.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds conservation work, wildlife habitat, and carbon capture initiatives on grasslands, directly advancing environmental protection through state grants.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands Wildlife

failed · North Dakota · House Feb 20, 2025

HB 1611: A BILL for an Act to provide for a legislative management study regarding oil and chemical spills on state highways within the Fort Berthold Reservation.

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.)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates study on oil spill risks to assess environmental and public health impacts, requiring input from environmental and health agencies to inform protective legislation.85% confidence

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passed · North Dakota · Senate Feb 19, 2025

SB 2313: A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact section 38-08-04.12 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to reclamation of land disturbed by oil and gas activity.

This bill would require oil and gas operators in North Dakota to restore land disturbed by their activities (like well sites, pipelines, and facilities) as close as possible to its original condition before disturbance. Key provisions include mandating the preservation and documented use of suitable plant growth material from the site for reclamation, requiring a pre-disturbance meeting with the state commission to plan this, and needing commission approval before land disturbance begins. The commission could also waive reclamation requirements after decommissioning with proper documentation. The bill does not apply to properly reclaimed pits or abandoned pipelines.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates oil/gas operators to restore land to original condition with pre-disturbance planning and commission approval, directly advancing land conservation and reclamation standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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passed · North Dakota · Senate Apr 2, 2025

SCR 4012: A concurrent resolution urging Congress to permit the use of M-44 sodium cyanide devices on any land.

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.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentPromotes use of toxic M-44 devices harming wildlife, undermining environmental protections by enabling predator control methods that risk non-target species and weaken conservation standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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passed · North Dakota · House Mar 20, 2025

HCR 3017: A concurrent resolution recognizing December 6th as annual "Miner's Day" to honor the hard work and dedication of coal miners, whose critical efforts provide reliable and affordable energy to millions of people, fuel economic growth, and support the energy security of North Dakota and the region.

HCR 3017 is a symbolic resolution designating December 6th as "Miner's Day" in North Dakota to honor coal miners. It recognizes coal miners' contributions to providing reliable, affordable energy (supplying 55% of the state's electricity) and supporting the economy ($5.5 billion in business activity, 12,000 jobs). The resolution urges the federal government to repeal the 2009 Endangerment Finding and revise regulations it claims disadvantage coal, while promoting carbon capture and coal-based technologies. This is a non-binding resolution with no legal effect, solely intended to publicly acknowledge coal miners' work and advocate for federal policy changes.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyHonors coal miners, promotes coal energy (55% of state electricity), urges repeal of regulations disadvantaging coal, indirectly opposes clean energy policies.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill explicitly urges repeal of 2009 Endangerment Finding (climate regulation) and promotes coal over environmental protections, opposing regulatory safeguards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal

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in committee · North Dakota · House Mar 20, 2025

HCR 3009: A concurrent resolution urging the federal government to take actions to enact trade policy that supports business and workers of the United States while penalizing global polluters.

HCR 3009 is a North Dakota legislative resolution urging the federal government to adopt trade policies that penalize countries with high pollution levels (like China and Russia) while supporting U.S. businesses and workers. It specifically calls for holding foreign producers to environmental standards comparable to U.S. domestic rules, aiming to reduce reliance on imports from high-emission countries and boost domestic manufacturing. The resolution directly affects U.S. industries and workers by advocating for trade rules that address environmental and economic concerns raised by North Dakota, including mineral supply chain vulnerabilities. It does not create new laws but formally requests federal action, with North Dakota’s legislature directing copies to U.S. leaders and its congressional delegation. The resolution focuses on policy changes to align trade with environmental accountability, without specifying exact mechanisms like tariffs.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPenalizes global polluters and enforces U.S. environmental standards in trade policy, reducing reliance on high-emission imports while supporting domestic manufacturing.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly urges trade policies that 'support U.S. businesses and workers' and aims to boost domestic manufacturing, directly advancing labor interests through job creation and reduced import reliance.90% confidence

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in committee · North Dakota · House Mar 20, 2025

HCR 3024: A concurrent resolution urging the United States Congress to transfer the management of all national grassland property within the state from the United States Forest Service to the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

This North Dakota concurrent resolution (HCR 3024) requests that the U.S. Congress transfer management of the state's national grasslands - over 1 million acres currently overseen by the U.S. Forest Service - to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). It argues the NRCS better aligns with the original purpose of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act, which established these grasslands to control erosion, conserve resources, and support agricultural lands. The resolution does not change management itself but urges Congress to act on this recommendation. It directly affects North Dakota's national grassland properties and their conservation management approach.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly seeks transfer to NRCS for erosion control and resource conservation per Bankhead-Jones Act, aligning with environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry Public Lands

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in committee · North Dakota · House Mar 20, 2025

HCR 3016: A concurrent resolution recognizing the benefits of enhanced oil recovery and encouraging the State of North Dakota and federal government to maintain favorable policies that support the development of carbon capture technology and utilization of carbon dioxide as a commodity for advancing energy security.

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.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill promotes fossil fuel extraction via carbon capture for oil recovery, opposing renewable energy transition by favoring oil/coal sectors over clean energy policies.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill prioritizes oil industry expansion via CO₂ utilization for enhanced oil recovery, not environmental protection. Focus on increasing fossil fuel production contradicts environmental goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Oil & Gas

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