All Roll Calls
Yes: 138 • No: 1
North DakotaSB 21102025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 23.1-07 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the certification and regulation of water distribution and wastewater system operators; to amend and reenact subsection 1 of section 23.1-07-04 and sections 23.1-07-05, 23.1-07-06, and 23.1-07-08 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the certification and penalization of water distribution and wastewater system operators; and to provide a penalty.
Sponsored By: Senate Workforce Development
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Water operator exams allow outside testing
North Dakota's Department of Environmental Quality must offer at least one operator certification exam each year at a designated time and place. It may use an outside service to prepare, give, and grade exams. The department must promote certification, distribute notices and applications, review applications, collect initial and renewal fees, and maintain operator qualification and exam records. It must also keep a register of certified operators, promote and schedule regular training, and adopt needed rules. Certification rules, rule changes, and appeals of those decisions follow the state's Administrative Rules process.
Water operator violations bring daily penalties
Violating North Dakota's water operator certification law, its rules, or a department order brings civil penalties up to $5,000 per day. Deliberately violating the law or rules after written notice from the Department of Environmental Quality is a Class A misdemeanor. Deliberately making false statements or certifications in required or filed documents is also a Class A misdemeanor. This also covers deliberately falsifying, tampering with, or making monitoring devices or samples inaccurate. The false-record and tampering penalty does not apply when the chapter specifically makes another penalty exclusive.
Water operators face earlier certificate renewals
North Dakota water and wastewater operator certificates remain valid for one year, expiring January 1 after issuance instead of July 1. The Department of Environmental Quality may set reasonable certification fees by rule, with no fixed dollar cap. Fees must reflect expected application, exam, and annual renewal costs. All receipts go into the state treasury's operators’ certification fund for program administration, enforcement, and financial help for operator training. Money left at the fiscal year's end stays available to the department for future spending.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Senate Workforce Development
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 • 1/22/2025
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 12 0 1
3/7/2025HouseCommittee Hearing 01:30
3/6/2025HouseIntroduced, first reading, referred Energy and Natural Resources Committee
2/13/2025HouseReceived from Senate
1/23/2025HouseSecond reading, passed, yeas 47 nays 0
1/22/2025SenateAmendment adopted, placed on calendar
1/21/2025SenateReported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 5 0 0
1/20/2025SenateCommittee Hearing 09:45
1/10/2025SenateIntroduced, first reading, referred Workforce Development Committee
1/7/2025Senate
Bill Text
Adopted by the Senate Workforce Development Committee
Enrollment
FIRST ENGROSSMENT
INTRODUCED
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