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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Relating to a prohibition on direct air carbon dioxide capture projects; to amend and reenact section 38‑08‑21 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the authority of the industrial commission; to provide for application; and to provide an expiration date.
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.
