Environment

failed · North Dakota · Senate Feb 3, 2025

SB 2246: A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation to the legislative council for the purpose of contracting with a consultant to study the feasibility and desirability of creating a regenerative grazing ranch in the state; and to provide for a legislative management study.

SB 2246 appropriates $49,500 from the general fund to the North Dakota Legislative Council for a one-time study on regenerative grazing. The bill directs a consultant to research the feasibility of creating a regenerative grazing ranch (focused on soil health and carbon absorption) and study how regenerative grazing practices affect carbon levels, rangeland productivity, and ranching sustainability. Key provisions require gathering scientific data, connecting ranchers with stakeholders, and identifying funding sources for carbon management practices. The study would involve input from the agriculture commissioner, mineral resources department, and ranching/energy industry stakeholders, with findings to be reported to the next legislative assembly. This bill does not create the ranch but examines whether it would benefit North Dakota's ranching and energy sectors.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds study on regenerative grazing for soil health and carbon absorption, aligning with environmental conservation goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Lands

Track

passed both · North Dakota · House Apr 11, 2025

HB 1541: A BILL for an Act to create and enact chapter 23.1-17 of the North Dakota Century Code, 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.

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.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates environmental quality advisory committee, amends DEQ duties, and provides appropriation for septic systems (pollution control). Repeal of technical committee is likely restructuring, not weakening.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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signed · North Dakota · House Jun 11, 2025

HB 1577: AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 23.1-07 and a new subsection to section 23.1-07-06 of the North Dakota Century Code, 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.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly provides an appropriation for wastewater infrastructure, directly funding a public service program through state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates wastewater infrastructure grant program to fund pollution control, directly supporting environmental protection through improved water quality infrastructure and department of environmental quality duties.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

passed · North Dakota · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 2331: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 54-60 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the Theodore Roosevelt national park working group; to provide a report; and to provide an appropriation.

SB 2331 establishes a working group to manage wild horses in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, directly affecting park operations, local tourism, and conservation efforts. The group must maintain the wild horse population above 200 through nonlethal methods (like birth control or relocation), promote horse-related tourism, and submit annual reports to lawmakers. It requires a $50,000 state appropriation for the 2025-2027 biennium to support these activities. The bill mandates quarterly meetings and collaboration with the National Park Service, focusing on concrete management and tourism strategies without specifying outcomes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly authorizes $50,000 state appropriation for park management program, directly funding conservation and tourism operations per legislative budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates nonlethal wild horse management in TRNP to maintain population and promote conservation, directly supporting park conservation efforts through funding and reporting requirements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Parks & Recreation

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passed · North Dakota · Senate Apr 11, 2025

SB 2325: A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 47-05 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to nonfederal easements granted on wetland areas.

SB 2325 requires property owners granting nonfederal easements on North Dakota wetlands to first obtain a verified "ordinary high water mark" determination from the Department of Water Resources or a federal agency. Existing easements granted before August 1, 2025, must also get this verification by that date. Easement holders must record the easement, water mark determination, and a map with the county recorder. If water levels exceed the marked high water level, the easement holder is liable for civil damages to affected crops, roads, rail infrastructure, or private property.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires verification of high water marks for wetland easements to prevent improper development, aligning with wetland conservation and protection standards.90% confidence

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signed · North Dakota · House Apr 24, 2025

HB 1017: AN ACT to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the game and fish department; and to provide an exemption.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $104.7M for Game and Fish Department operations, including habitat and conservation programs, directly funding essential state services.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates $27.2M for land habitat and $2.5M for aquatic nuisance species management, directly funding conservation programs under Game and Fish Department operations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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

Track

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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