Sen. Greg Kessel

Relating to qualifications for renewable electricity and recycled energy credits; and to repeal sections 49‑02‑28, 49‑02‑29, 49‑02‑30, 49‑02‑31, 49‑02‑32, 49‑02‑33, and 49‑02‑34 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the state renewable and recycled energy objectives, public reporting, qualifications and applications to the statewide objectives, the purchase and retirement of renewable energy certificates to meet the objectives, verification of generation and the purchase of certificates, and economic evaluations on the use of renewable and recycled energy.

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.

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.

Maddy summaryThe provided context does not include the specific provisions or policy changes of HB 1094. While the bill's title and abstract reference "discretionary special allocation hunting licenses" and it has been signed into law (Governor signed March 27, 2025), the details of what the amendment actually changes, who it affects, or its key mechanisms are not described in the available information. A full summary cannot be generated without these concrete details. For the actual policy content, the full text of the bill would be required.

Maddy summarySB 2302 establishes new rules for oil and gas lease applications on North Dakota state lands and school lands. It requires the industrial commission to set qualification standards for bidders, and if the highest bidder doesn't meet them, the commissioner must consider the second-highest bidder who meets the standards. Applicants rejected for not qualifying face a civil penalty equal to their bid amount. The bill directly affects companies seeking oil and gas leases on state or school lands managed by the board of university and school lands.

Maddy summaryHB 1480 would establish a process for non-legal owners to obtain a certificate of title for a motor vehicle that hasn't been registered for over ten years. To qualify, the requester must send a certified letter to the vehicle's last registered address and advertise the title request in a local newspaper for 14 days. If no response is received within 14 days and proof of compliance is provided, the state department would issue the title. This procedural bill directly affects individuals seeking to claim abandoned or long-unused vehicles. The bill failed to pass the legislature in March 2025.

Maddy summarySB 2136 amends North Dakota laws (sections 5-04-02 and 5-04-14 of the Century Code) to regulate relationships between brewers and beer wholesalers. It prohibits brewers from: forcing wholesalers to accept unrequested products, threatening to cancel agreements to compel illegal actions, restricting wholesalers' ability to sell competing brands (unless quality/sales are materially harmed), demanding confidential financial data, failing to provide written contracts, or mandating specific e-commerce platforms. The bill also requires new brewer owners to honor existing agreements with wholesalers, unless "good cause" exists under state law. This directly affects brewers and beer wholesalers operating in North Dakota by establishing clearer, more transparent business terms.

Maddy summarySB 2250 amends North Dakota law to triple damages for intentional or reckless harm to timber, trees, or underwood on another person's property. For willful or wanton injuries (intentional or reckless acts), victims now receive three times the actual damage value, unless the trespass was accidental, the person mistakenly believed the land was theirs, or highway workers removed wood for road projects. Negligent (accidental) damage still only requires compensation for the actual loss. This law directly affects landowners whose timber is intentionally damaged and those who cause such damage. The bill became law on March 24, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

Maddy summarySB 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.

Maddy summarySB 2163 raises the reporting threshold for contractors in North Dakota from $25,000 to $50,000 per project. It requires contractors completing projects over $50,000 in the previous year to submit detailed project listings, insurance certificates, and proof of paid payroll taxes when renewing their licenses. The bill directly affects licensed contractors performing large-scale projects within the state, shifting reporting obligations to fewer businesses. Key provisions include mandatory project documentation, insurance verification, and tax compliance checks during license renewal. This change simplifies reporting for smaller contractors while maintaining oversight for larger projects.