Sen. Terry Wanzek

Maddy summaryBased on the provided title and abstract, HB 1280 relates to the maintenance of drainage projects in North Dakota. The bill specifically proposes to amend and reenact section 61-16.1-45 of the North Dakota Century Code. The provided context does not offer further details on the specific changes or mechanisms the bill introduces regarding drainage project maintenance.

Maddy summarySB 2245 is an act that amends existing hunting regulations in North Dakota. It specifically updates the rules concerning how hunters can use blinds, boats, and decoys when taking ducks and geese. This bill directly affects individuals who hunt these waterfowl in the state by clarifying or changing the allowed methods.

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 the creation of a rural community endowment fund and a rural community endowment fund committee; to provide an appropriation for the rural community endowment fund; to provide for a transfer; and to provide for a report.

Maddy summarySB 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.

Maddy summaryHB 1444 amends North Dakota law to clarify the process for adding local roads to the county road system. It requires county commissioners to notify townships when a road meets criteria under section 24-05-16 and is under township jurisdiction, and to hold a public meeting for community input before making a final decision. This directly affects county commissioners, townships, and residents who use these local roads, ensuring transparency in road system expansion. The bill does not change road maintenance responsibilities but adds a procedural step for community engagement.

Maddy summaryHB 1201 modifies North Dakota law governing bridges and culverts over drainage systems that intersect roads. It requires the water resource board to construct bridges/culverts for private land access, with costs shared between the board and land districts, and mandates counties to maintain these structures with 40% cost responsibility. For state highway culverts crossing drains spanning three or more counties, the bill requires installation of control valve systems to manage water flow. This bill directly affects counties, water resource boards, and land districts responsible for drainage infrastructure maintenance and costs.

Relating to creating a farm management program within the department of agriculture; to amend and reenact section 15‑20.1‑03 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the powers and duties of the state board of career at technical education; and to provide an appropriation.

Maddy summarySCR 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.