Sen. Terry Wanzek

Relating to a temporary moratorium on conducting an economic analysis for assessment drain projects; to amend and reenact section 61‑02‑01.3 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to comprehensive water development plans; to provide for a legislative management study; and to provide an expiration date.

Relating to a rural catalyst committee, grant program, and fund; to amend and reenact section 54‑40.1‑02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to definitions for regional planning councils; to provide an appropriation; and to provide for a transfer.

Maddy summarySB 2225 appropriates $50 million from North Dakota's Strategic Investment Fund to the Department of Commerce for grants supporting housing infrastructure. The bill provides funding to local communities (with allocations based on population size) to lower costs for infrastructure needed for market-rate housing projects, requiring a 1:1 match from local governments, developers, and private funds. Communities must use the funds for infrastructure like roads or utilities to support new housing, with reporting requirements to the legislature by June 2026. The program expires June 30, 2027, and aims to address housing needs in both urban and rural areas.

Maddy summaryHB 1151 prohibits businesses from misrepresenting cell-cultured protein (lab-grown food from animal cells without slaughter) as meat. It requires clear labeling as "cell-cultured food product" and bans packaging that could confuse consumers into thinking it is meat. The law directly affects food producers and sellers of cell-cultured products in North Dakota. It repeals an outdated section of law about misrepresentation, making the new labeling rules the current standard. The bill became law after the governor signed it on April 23, 2025.

Relating to the creation of the city, county, and township road fund; to amend and reenact subsection 1 of section 39‑04‑19.2, section 54‑27‑19, subsection 1 of section 57‑43.1‑02, and subsection 1 of section 57‑43.2‑02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle road use fee, the tax imposed on motor vehicle and special fuels, and the highway tax distribution fund; and to provide an effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 1531 appropriates $75,000 from North Dakota's general fund to the Agriculture Commissioner for a study on expanding irrigation infrastructure. The study will examine economic benefits of increased irrigation in rural communities, impacts of past water projects under the Pick-Sloan Act, and differences in economic value between irrigated vs. non-irrigated land. It requires a consultant to analyze these factors and submit findings with policy recommendations to legislative leaders by July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects agricultural producers and rural communities by assessing how irrigation expansion could impact local economies.

Maddy summarySB 2327 amends North Dakota law concerning the agriculture diversification and development fund and its overseeing committee. The bill outlines and modifies how this fund can be utilized to support agricultural initiatives and projects within the state. It also includes an appropriation, allocating specific funds, and provides for the transfer of money related to this agricultural development effort. This legislation directly impacts the North Dakota agriculture sector and the administration of resources aimed at diversifying and developing the state's agricultural economy.

Maddy summaryHCR 3018 is a resolution directing North Dakota's Legislative Management to study water and wetlands regulations and the taxation of lands subject to flooding (inundated lands). It requires examining jurisdictional conflicts across federal, state, and local agencies, comparing other states' approaches, and inventorying relevant laws. The study must identify gaps in authority and recommend improvements for clearer, more consistent management. The findings will be reported to the next legislative assembly to inform potential future policy changes. This resolution does not change current laws but directs a review process.

Maddy summaryHB 1591 appropriates $3 million from North Dakota's general fund to the agriculture commissioner for a one-time grant program supporting county fair infrastructure. It provides grants to county agriculture fair associations for planning, designing, and constructing infrastructure projects (like facilities or utilities) during the 2025-2027 biennium, with a maximum of $100,000 per association. The bill directly affects local fair associations by funding physical improvements to their facilities, not by changing regulations or affecting broader public policy. This is a funding measure, not a policy change, and it expires after the 2025-2027 period.

Maddy summaryHB 1258 amends a section of the North Dakota Century Code related to the siting of energy conversion and transmission facilities. This bill modifies the rules and processes for approving where facilities like power plants or major transmission lines can be built. It affects energy companies seeking to develop projects and the state's regulatory body responsible for their approval. A key provision states that these changes will apply retroactively, meaning they could impact projects already in progress or previously considered under older rules.