All Roll Calls
Yes: 138 • No: 1
North DakotaSB 20442025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
AN ACT to amend and reenact section 61-01-06 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to watercourse determinations.
Sponsored By: Senate Energy and Natural Resources
Became Law
Your PRIA Score
Score Hidden
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
More land features count as watercourses
The law clarifies what counts as a watercourse on your land. A watercourse exists when natural, usual flow forms and keeps a distinct channel. The flow does not have to be year-round; runoff that returns to a permanent channel still counts. It also defines a waterway as a natural land feature that carries surface water. Intermittent streams can be treated as watercourses, which can trigger permits or limits on digging, draining, or building.
Review and appeals for watercourse decisions
If a state or local agency decides a feature is a watercourse and you are harmed, you can ask for a review. The Department of Water Resources must review and decide if a watercourse exists. You can then appeal the department’s decision under section 61-03-22. When a water resource board asks, the department must also make a watercourse determination. These reviews can change whether parts of your property face water rules.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Senate Energy and Natural Resources
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/10/2025
Second reading, passed, yeas 91 nays 1
Yes: 91 • No: 1
Senate vote • 1/20/2025
Second reading, passed, yeas 47 nays 0
Yes: 47 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Filed with Secretary Of State 03/18
3/20/2025HouseSigned by Governor 03/17
3/18/2025SenateSent to Governor
3/14/2025SenateSigned by President
3/14/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
3/14/2025HouseReturned to Senate
3/11/2025SenateSecond reading, passed, yeas 91 nays 1
3/10/2025HouseReported back, do pass, placed on consent calendar 13 0 0
3/7/2025HouseCommittee Hearing 09:30
3/6/2025HouseIntroduced, first reading, referred Energy and Natural Resources Committee
2/13/2025HouseReceived from Senate
1/21/2025HouseSecond reading, passed, yeas 47 nays 0
1/20/2025SenateReported back, do pass, place on calendar 7 0 0
1/16/2025SenateCommittee Hearing 09:30
1/16/2025SenateIntroduced, first reading, referred Energy and Natural Resources Committee
1/7/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enrollment
INTRODUCED
Related Bills
HB 1022 — AN ACT to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the retirement and investment office.
SB 2018 — AN ACT to provide an appropriation for defraying the expenses of the department of commerce; to provide an appropriation to the attorney general; to provide an appropriation to the department of career and technical education; to provide an appropriation to the state fair association; to provide a contingent appropriation; to create and enact a new section to chapter 54-60 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to department of commerce grant reporting requirements; to amend and reenact subsection 1 of section 10-30.5-02, sections 54-60-09, 54-60-19, 54-60-28, 54-60-29, 54-60-29.1, and 54-60-31 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the purpose of the North Dakota development fund, duties and talent strategy of the division of workforce development, the uncrewed aircraft systems program, the uncrewed aircraft systems program fund, the beyond visual line of sight uncrewed aircraft system program, and changing the name of the office of legal immigration to the global talent office; to authorize a Bank of North Dakota line of credit; to provide for a transfer; to provide an application; to provide an exemption; and to provide for a legislative management report.
SB 2323 — AN ACT to amend and reenact sections 57-51-15 and 57-51.1-07.5 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to oil and gas gross production tax allocations and the state share of oil and gas tax allocations; to provide for a legislative management report; to provide an exemption; and to provide an effective date.
SB 2390 — AN ACT to create and enact three new sections to chapter 54-40.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a rural catalyst committee, grant program, and fund; to amend and reenact section 54-40.1-02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to definitions for regional planning councils; to provide an appropriation; and to provide for a transfer.
SB 2397 — AN ACT to create and enact a new subsection to section 57-51.1-03 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a limited exemption for development incentive wells; to amend and reenact sections 57-51-02.6, 57-51-05, and 57-51.1-01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the temporary exemption for oil and gas wells employing a system to avoid flaring, an exemption from gross production tax for gas produced from certain enhanced oil recovery projects, and the definition of development incentive well; to provide an effective date; and to provide an expiration date.
SB 2370 — AN ACT to provide for a legislative management study regarding prescription drug transparency reporting under the federal drug discount program.