SB 2276 — Relating to the joint exercise of powers of joint water resource boards, mandating the formation of joint water resource boards for projects affecting two or more counties, and proceedings to confirm special actions.

25.1260.01007 Prepared by the Legislative Council Title.02000 staff for Senator Luick April 11, 2025 Sixty-ninth Legislative Assembly of North Dakota PROPOSEDIn AMENDMENTSRegular TOSession Commencing Tuesday, January 7, 2025 SENATE BILL NO.

2276 Introduced(Senator byLuick) SenatorAN LuickACT A BILL for an Act to amend and reenact sectionsectionssections 61-16.1-11, 61-16.1-15.1, and 61-16.1-59 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the joint exercise of powers of joint water resource boards, mandating the formation of joint water resource boards for projects affecting two or more counties, and proceedings to confirm special actions.

In addition, a Pagejoint No.board established pursuant to this section may adopt, by resolution, on or before July first of each year, a budget showing estimated expenses for the ensuing fiscal year and the proposed contributions of each member district as determined by the agreement.

1 25.1260.01007 Sixty-ninth Legislative Assembly joint board established pursuant to this section may adopt, by resolution, on or before July first of each year, a budget showing estimated expenses for the ensuing fiscal year and the proposed contributions of each member district as determined by the agreement.

6.S.

B.

NO.

2276 - PAGE 2 6.

All districts within the Red River, James River, Mouse River, Missouri River, and Devils Lake drainage basins shall, by agreement, form and remain a member of a joint water Pageresource No.board relative to the district's respective drainage basin.

2 25.1260.01007 Sixty-ninth Legislative Assembly resource board relative to the district's respective drainage basin.

TheBefore constructing a project and before assessing the lands or premises for a project located in or benefiting more than one county, the districts from two or more counties may agree toshallto jointly construct or assign benefits and assessments for a project.

TheIf the districts do not agree to undertake a joint boardproject, a district may exerciseundertake allthe powersproject affordedby toproviding anotice waterto resourcethe joint board where the project is located, in either the Red River, James River, Mouse River, Missouri River, or Devils Lake drainage basin, together with the engineer's report required under section 61-16.1-09.61-16.1-17.

If the districts do not agree to undertake a joint project, a district may undertake the project by providing notice to the joint board where the project is located, in either the Red River, James River, Mouse River, Missouri River, or Devils LakeCannon Ball-Heart-Knife Rivers, Devils Lake-Sheyenne River, Grand River-Moreau River, James River, Lake Oahe, Lake Sakakawea, Little Missouri River, Lower Red River, Lower Yellowstone, Missouri-Poplar River, Mouse River, and Upper Red River major drainage basin, as mapped by the department of water resources, together with the engineer's report required under section 61-16.1-17.

Pageb. No.

3 25.1260.01007 Sixty-ninth Legislative Assembly b.

5.S.

B.

NO.

2276 - PAGE 3 5.

The North Dakota mediation service shall issue a proposed mediation Pageagreement No.within thirty days of completing the mediation.

4 25.1260.01007 Sixty-ninth Legislative Assembly agreement within thirty days of completing the mediation.

PageS. No.

5B. 25.1260.01007

NO.

2276 - PAGE 4 ____________________________ ____________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House ____________________________ ____________________________ Secretary of the Senate Chief Clerk of the House This certifies that the within bill originated in the Senate of the Sixty-ninth Legislative Assembly of North Dakota and is known on the records of that body as Senate Bill No.

2276.

Senate Vote:

Yeas 47 Nays 0 Absent 0 House Vote:

Yeas 90 Nays 1 Absent 3 ____________________________ Secretary of the Senate Received by the Governor at ________M.

on _____________________________________, 2025.

Approved at ________M.

on __________________________________________________, 2025.

____________________________ Governor Filed in this office this ___________day of _______________________________________, 2025, at ________ o’clock ________M.

____________________________ Secretary of State