All Roll Calls
Yes: 140 • No: 0
North DakotaHB 11472025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
AN ACT to amend and reenact section 20.1-03-12 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to fees for game and fish licenses and permits.
Sponsored By: Daniel Johnston (Republican)
Became Law
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
11 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 8 costs, 3 mixed.
Higher fees for clamming and bait
A commercial clam dealer’s permit costs $2,000 and also requires a $2,000 surety bond. A nonresident commercial clam license costs $1,000; a resident commercial clam license costs $100. Nonresident wholesale live‑bait sellers pay $500 each year for a class A license and $250 each year for a class B license. These charges raise up‑front and annual costs for clamming and bait businesses.
Nonresident hunting fees and rules
Visitors pay set hunting fees. Small game is $100 and waterfowl is $100. Swan and sandhill crane each cost $30. Nongame is $15, or $40 for a combined fur‑bearer and nongame license. A bighorn sheep license costs $500. A $5 nonrefundable application fee applies to certain lottery licenses unless the governor waives it by proclamation. Also, $45 of each nonresident big game license funds the private land initiative. This earmark does not change your license price.
Boat registration fees by size
The state sets boat registration fees by length. It costs $18 for each motorboat under 16 feet and for any motorized canoe. It costs $36 for 16 to under 20 feet, and $45 for 20 feet and over. These fees apply per boat.
Fishing licenses and paddlefish tags
Nonresident fishing costs $45. A resident husband‑and‑wife fishing license is $22; a nonresident husband‑and‑wife license is $60. A nonresident three‑day fishing license is $25. Paddlefish tags cost $10 per tag for residents and $25.50 per tag for nonresidents. A combination hunting and fishing license costs $50.
Resident hunting and trapping fees
The law sets resident prices for several licenses. Small game costs $10 if you are 16 or older. Wild turkey is $15; fur‑bearer is $15; and the general game license is $3. A swan license is $10 and a sandhill crane license is $10. A resident frog license costs $3, or $5 for a husband‑and‑wife frog license. These are per license, per season or year as issued.
Special permits for wildlife handling
A resident hunter pays $3 to ship up to 25 game birds in a season. A permit to collect protected birds or animals for science costs $10. To take undesirable fish, you pay $15 per hoop‑net or trap and $15 per 50‑foot (or part) seine.
Boaters pay $15 aquatic fee
Each motorboat licensed in North Dakota pays a $15 aquatic nuisance species fee with the boat license. Each motorboat not licensed in North Dakota but used on North Dakota waters pays a $15 aquatic nuisance species fee for that calendar year. The state treasurer credits these fees to the aquatic nuisance species program fund. Other game and fish license and permit fees go to the game and fish fund.
Fees for outdoor small businesses
The law sets fees for outdoor‑related businesses. Taxidermy licenses cost $25 per year. Wholesale live‑bait licenses cost $50; retail is $15, or $75 if you sell white suckers. A private fish hatchery license is $75. Shooting preserves pay $100 plus $0.30 per acre each year. Commercial frog licenses cost $50 for residents and $200 for nonresidents. Fur buyers and shippers pay $8 per in‑state location if resident; $20 for a resident traveling agent; and nonresidents pay their home‑state fee or $50, whichever is higher.
Nonresident hunting and trapping fees
Nonresidents pay $250 for a big game license and $250 for a bow license. A white‑tailed deer license sold to certified guides or outfitters for a nonresident costs $250. A statewide waterfowl license costs $150; a wild turkey permit costs $80; an early Canada goose license costs $50; and a spring white goose license costs $50. A nonresident reciprocal trapping license costs $350. Short‑term nonresident fishing costs $35 for a ten‑day license. If you enter the deer license lottery on the same basis as a resident after the second resident lottery, you pay $50.
Resident hunting and fishing fees
The law sets a resident big game license at $30. Residents under age 16 pay $10, with exceptions set by the governor’s proclamation. A resident fishing license costs $16, or $5 if you are 65 or older, totally or permanently disabled, or a disabled veteran with at least a 50% service‑connected disability. A resident early Canada goose season license costs $5. A resident disabled veteran with at least a 50% service‑connected disability pays $3 for a combined general game, habitat stamp, small game, and fur‑bearer license.
Small certificate fees, no agent add-on
A resident certificate costs $1. A nonresident certificate costs $2. Agents may not add a service fee when issuing these certificates.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Daniel Johnston
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Mike Brandenburg
Republican • House
Jim Kasper
Republican • House
Andrew Marschall
Republican • House
Dennis Nehring
Republican • House
Matthew Ruby
Republican • House
Bill Tveit
Republican • House
David A. Clemens
Republican • Senate
Bob Paulson
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/14/2025
Second reading, passed, yeas 47 nays 0
Yes: 47 • No: 0
House vote • 1/29/2025
Second reading, passed, yeas 93 nays 0
Yes: 93 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Filed with Secretary Of State 03/24
3/25/2025HouseSigned by Governor 03/21
3/24/2025HouseSent to Governor
3/20/2025HouseSigned by Speaker
3/20/2025HouseSigned by President
3/18/2025SenateReturned to House
3/17/2025HouseSecond reading, passed, yeas 47 nays 0
3/14/2025SenateReported back, do pass, place on calendar 7 0 0
3/13/2025SenateCommittee Hearing 09:30
3/7/2025SenateIntroduced, first reading, referred Energy and Natural Resources Committee
2/13/2025SenateReceived from House
1/30/2025SenateSecond reading, passed, yeas 93 nays 0
1/29/2025HouseAmendment adopted, placed on calendar
1/27/2025HouseReported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 11 0 2
1/24/2025HouseCommittee Hearing 09:00
1/17/2025HouseIntroduced, first reading, referred Energy and Natural Resources Committee
1/7/2025House
Bill Text
Adopted by the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee
Enrollment
FIRST ENGROSSMENT
INTRODUCED
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