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.
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.
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.
SCR 4002 is a North Dakota legislative resolution urging Congress to create a law allowing landowners to end permanent easements held by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) on their property. It specifically targets landowners with FWS easements covering over one million acres of agricultural land in North Dakota, where the resolution states federal regulations restrict activities like farming and ranching. The key mechanism proposed would let landowners terminate these easements by paying the FWS the easement's value as of the date it was established. This resolution seeks to address concerns that perpetual FWS easements infringe on private property rights under North Dakota law.
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 1453 would ban North Dakota state and local governments from engaging with "natural asset companies" - businesses that manage natural resources (like forests or water) to generate environmental benefits. The bill prohibits selling or leasing state-owned land to these companies, investing public funds in them, and allows lawsuits to reclaim land if violations occur. It would also prevent natural asset companies from operating in North Dakota by blocking their registration, business licenses, and any contracts with state entities. This directly affects state agencies, political subdivisions, and public fund managers, but does not impact private citizens or non-governmental activities.
