[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6100954,"mediaKeyId","2810847-db3c51aceb11f4d13a54b03b8daa0a58","parentId",2810847,"title","Committee removes advisory-committee language from septic-systems bill, moves oversight toward DEQ","audioSeconds",801,"startMs",73000,"endMs",874000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2810847-db3c51aceb11f4d13a54b03b8daa0a58&start=73&end=874","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2810847-db3c51aceb11f4d13a54b03b8daa0a58/thumbnail_73000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6100954/North-Dakota/Committee-removes-advisory-committee-language-from-septic-systems-bill-moves-oversight-toward-DEQ","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100954-8c9a75f1519c860936ab4e99f653eebc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770449736&Signature=ZDrp9SdcWZumrAf0~L6mMUf-PGV19R2HlV5Kd37Sp8Ezde~vRt90D11wWQYplIEORVt-iRhpVdCIlXgZkbAgPvPfmiF7MLSaZG3iX3cROXwLLrLyYWl7tf2R18-5xJwzjboIUuZsN2oLWl7yrRBqf1k3gpnE-i8pAd5v7dTtrEIS1kbSVMJMWbByj3qQGC3hOXBzrPKxDkCEJo9snzr94MDjAAKHLFiqfRqxTURMBIYYJHfA8s2yOBq9QkRTQq-BH39JcfgTgylq0MhnSbiXhi7bwtrUtkBuko-m1iCfTwKxS5vhwxpB6~rVCHGM22HlQlFfmGFbNm9sO-2jzr~CcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota Legislature","date","2025-03-28T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee on Thursday removed a provision from a septic-systems bill that would have created a new advisory committee and signaled support for placing licensing and oversight with the Department of Environmental Quality.

Senator Yana Meerdal, who described negotiating amendments with DEQ and the governor’s office, said the package would place licensing with DEQ while allowing health units to continue inspections under contract. “I don't support ... establishing a new bureaucracy,” Meerdal said, arguing the governor’s office prefers fewer advisory boards. She told the committee the DEQ fiscal estimate for the change was “about $90,000.”

Meerdal and other senators described long-running conflict over which agency should regulate on-site septic-system design and inspection, and said installers and some local health units have disagreed over fees and competence. Meerdal said installers had continued to press that their existing training needs protection and that some health units “don't know their stuff,” producing inconsistent costs and outcomes for homeowners.

A motion to remove the advisory-committee language (lines beginning at page 5, line 19 through page 6, line 11) passed on a roll-call vote. The motion was moved by Senator Weber and seconded by Senator Weston. The clerk recorded yes votes from Senator Marsalais, Senator Weston, Senator Weber, Chairman Lewick, Vice Chair Meerdal and Senator Lam; no opposing votes were recorded on the roll call.

Committee discussion left enforcement and rulemaking authority with DEQ while continuing to allow DEQ to contract inspections to local health units. Meerdal said DEQ would “set the admin rules” and would take a “big bird’s-eye view” while contracting local units for on-the-ground inspections. Installers expressed worry in committee testimony that DEQ could centralize training and licensing, and some installers asked for protections to preserve their role in training.

The committee voted to remove the advisory-committee section and said it would hold the bill pending parallel action in the House. Representatives cited in the discussion included Representative Koppelman and Representative Porter; the committee said it would monitor what happens to companion legislation in the House before taking further action.

No final floor passage of the underlying bill was reported in the transcript; the committee indicated it would hold the bill and revisit it if the House alters its companion measure.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Mar 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee on Thursday removed a provision from a septic-systems bill that would have created a new advisory committee and signaled support for placing licensing and oversight with the Department of Environmental Quality.","taxTitle","Agriculture and Veterans Affairs, Senate, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28898,"location","North Dakota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6100939,"Committee debates tribal tourism grant amounts, rescinds amendment and decides to gather more information",580,2198000,2778000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2810847-db3c51aceb11f4d13a54b03b8daa0a58&start=2198&end=2778","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2810847-db3c51aceb11f4d13a54b03b8daa0a58/thumbnail_2198000.jpg","/articles/6100939/North-Dakota/Committee-debates-tribal-tourism-grant-amounts-rescinds-amendment-and-decides-to-gather-more-information","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100939-63cef50a07de7adc3e0cd207b623c1eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770449736&Signature=XFcA5KFzF9EJKHKHD6o8GhddXJsrsSk7Of1im5-Nn2p1nR1befY3~j5IHSZEz~wHYe08zJb3Anft8EI6YYyuW3~fcqXFgnCUhrMCoFwk~ie~TqpXc4eu6lFrmK5lps4P1WCGtJkMIHmCEu03yim~9Jck725mYBJDD3GdyFblBzGlXaV4ShreY-8JiLj-A8zrpuicSMuhBOUWJU1nCVhoo5rp68jW9Kz7ksJAERyEJKRaM4PaWCweV-nAq5g10Fh1cPmA87dM17MZPc-OaBkLU7Kq4Q9W1kqRPUy3S316yaJVcfnNIAsq9WFN7RncKhQtDuggOmNL3vfwmfdsjCAm0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee considered bill 1581, which concerns state grants intended for the five tribal nations in North Dakota to support Native American tourism programs. Members described the bill’s original language as providing larger, unconditional grants and said the House had amended it to $20,000 per tribe with a matching-funds requirement.

Senator Marsalais moved an amendment to return the bill to its original funding language; the motion was seconded and discussed. Supporters said larger, unconditional grants would help tribes that cannot afford matching funds. “If it's there and then they can use it, it'll keep all 5 tribes working on the intent of the program,” a senator said in support. Opponents and budget-conscious members noted the state budget is over the resolution and urged caution.

Following discussion, the sponsor asked to rescind the motion and the committee agreed to hold the item and collect more information. Committee members said they would seek additional input from the prime sponsor, representatives of the tribal tourism organization (testimony referenced from Mr. Thomas), and the governor’s office before advancing the amendment or final recommendation.

No final vote on the underlying bill was recorded; the committee deferred further action.","Lawmakers debated House changes to a bill funding Native American tourism grants to five tribes, including a House amendment reducing per-tribe funds to $20,000 with matching requirements; an amendment to restore the original funding was moved, seconded, then rescinded and the committee chose to hold the bill for more information.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6100944,"Committee reviews conferee report on military-compatibility duties; transfers oversight to agriculture commissioner in draft",225,1875000,2100000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2810847-db3c51aceb11f4d13a54b03b8daa0a58&start=1875&end=2100","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2810847-db3c51aceb11f4d13a54b03b8daa0a58/thumbnail_1875000.jpg","/articles/6100944/North-Dakota/Committee-reviews-conferee-report-on-military-compatibility-duties-transfers-oversight-to-agriculture-commissioner-in-draft","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100944-46bcb31d564a3aaa7bbce9eddb6b22aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1770449736&Signature=Qb9UlZnckxfc~Mba21kymPeJzgWsI3ANo94hB6~xOA7LdFV57HZsECRzBLcvaY9OjnsGIgVX74VXZdrNdexazekaoWtc~0pz6lRJ0e3e3ngDx8Z2TbO3Ny5jQV6Eq-Br57McKuKAjjEm-i9cq76PywelN~Kjwo6okLN6EJ4H~ENuGKn7YlIYodQyelifQvPnLiZ84boh0i3Pf2XeUfRswOEGYKBO1WVT566dDVufs5iIAxtqh56CzUmKrwUa87N~mvkcS4fJ7XzSY9dmBkvv7xp3uh-9WBVZb0Gt8fADnYpNQKUYd3Kru0s3ycjAE7gWn4YEOcpdZY5HXzbUUsOEDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Committee members reviewed a conferee report on bill 2398 that revises governance for a military-compatibility program, replacing the governor with the agriculture commissioner as the official to direct creation of a committee and to oversee certain duties.

Chairman Lewick described changes in the conferee language that direct the agriculture commissioner to create one or more military-compatibility committees and expand the program’s scope to include airspace and the electromagnetic spectrum. “So I called the agriculture commissioner this morning, and he is fine with it,” Lewick said, and asked the committee whether anyone objected to concurring with the conferee report.

A senator who reviewed public testimony said opposing testimony had been submitted earlier; the committee nevertheless indicated general approval in the transcript. Multiple senators answered that they were “okay” with the changes when asked for concurrence, and one member said they might change their floor vote later after additional input.

The transcript records no formal roll call on concurrence; members said they would move forward with the conferee language and that the agriculture commissioner had indicated acceptance. Committee members agreed to carry or delegate the bill for floor action.","A conferee report on bill 2398 replaces a gubernatorial oversight role with direction to the agriculture commissioner to form a military-compatibility committee and adds airspace and electromagnetic-spectrum considerations; the agriculture commissioner told the chair he is \"fine with it,\" and the committee indicated tentative concurrence.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":91,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6100949,"Committee reviews bill to let Sargent County vote alone on drainage assessments; action delayed",875000,1100000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2810847-db3c51aceb11f4d13a54b03b8daa0a58&start=875&end=1100","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2810847-db3c51aceb11f4d13a54b03b8daa0a58/thumbnail_875000.jpg","/articles/6100949/North-Dakota/Committee-reviews-bill-to-let-Sargent-County-vote-alone-on-drainage-assessments-action-delayed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100949-c2c650ee08e56c38e532cb8a9d1cd3f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770449736&Signature=Dsir~01gS0vp5oGE1Cm5avuno3T0p9xxw03JH2er4uqulueILGSmZw2Fzl-jCs-pWGyVzjP5MJ270B5jG21GZ0iQT0EXBnYzK7zhBYbiKRnoIHbDNUiP~88htLpM2M~Ml2BPNiCdtU-REkCQCn95YR3yoaPt8peM37TlwSXW4KaB1Kx0cerfeJVnC1zq8VnDQGXZIdi1qh~DEAbjcc9~7IXh-Nh~gIlQI1g2WgxcCfjUY1ve7YXPeWQyYZH~yNJ-iU3qjUreG4Hc1rKx2H9QNWSX6qXDc7XPudFPPDGMh0UenQKb9N30jXE6BoSNnrMGmxiW2HNQNB3oeH~hmOs-iQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee discussed a measure intended to let Sargent County voters approve a drainage project that would obligate only Sargent County property owners, excluding Ransom County from the vote or financial obligation.

A senator summarizing testimony said the measure would let Sargent County proceed with a drainage-cleanout project and exempt Ransom County from paying assessments while still satisfying a state Supreme Court requirement that affected property owners vote. “This bill would allow Sargent County to have a vote without Ransom County voting, and then they would have a better chance to pass so that they can continue to clean out their drain,” the senator said.

Committee members also tied consideration of this bill to related legislation, including a wetlands/watershed measure (bills 2276 and 2325 referenced) and said they were waiting for work in the House and AG’s office. One senator suggested the committee should “hang on to this another day” until companion bills are resolved; no formal committee vote was recorded in the transcript.

Committee staff and members agreed to hold the item and monitor related House committee action before taking further steps.

No final action or floor recommendation was recorded in the transcript.","Lawmakers discussed a bill that would allow Sargent County to hold elections that exclude Ransom County property owners from voting on certain drainage assessments; committee chose to hold the measure pending related legislation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee removes advisory-committee language from septic-systems bill, moves oversight toward DEQ

Committee debates tribal tourism grant amounts, rescinds amendment and decides to gather more information

Committee reviews conferee report on military-compatibility duties; transfers oversight to agriculture commissioner in draft

Committee reviews bill to let Sargent County vote alone on drainage assessments; action delayed