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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 the revocation of common carrier status of carbon dioxide pipelines; and to repeal section 38‑22‑10 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the exercise of public domain in geological storage of carbon dioxide.
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.
