[{"_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",[32,76,87,99],{"_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",6080079,"mediaKeyId","2952037-042a03b4e0348f68e0b37204abc77010","parentId",2952037,"title","Committee reviews Senate Bill 2267 to centralize on-site wastewater rules under DEQ","audioSeconds",960,"startMs",964000,"endMs",3641,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2952037-042a03b4e0348f68e0b37204abc77010&start=964&end=3","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2952037-042a03b4e0348f68e0b37204abc77010/thumbnail_964000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6080079/North-Dakota/Committee-reviews-Senate-Bill-2267-to-centralize-on-site-wastewater-rules-under-DEQ","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080079-1782e37be43eeafea3158f8c22a43a08/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152122&Signature=HxxbnVetDDM8yphD-B5M~C80sX2E72VCpd~8OhR2eumNR0Du-t0q1DwkZVfh3kBsyRtvA512yd7rGcW3PWI5j2t5IfO5peqJFGq5IAdo33IUKQtVmMdNE4VrVx21wCur3z6JM75etDTDJtljZSwxZC0jkk1Jn3xeCx4y-Fc9uYgGU-xGNADtzyaxjykpJq9OwI1TReE5q8aCjKsevt33LOWgMXlLyAIxQMeIw1cWoiMumGH~CnCgUv4QAL8XDDpVpbEH6wlq1x6l76pBUWaHx3FmwwGh5muYenCmt8p2cUI9aohLddghjLEskngOS~e3LhKNOyovSYp7ev6l50tLew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota State Legislature","date","2025-04-10T00:00:00Z","article","The House Natural Resources Committee on Oct. 12 heard a briefing on Senate Bill 2267, which would make the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) the sole state agency responsible for developing statewide on-site wastewater rules, licensing installers and enforcing those rules.

DEQ representative Michael Glott said the bill would “give the DEQ the sole responsibility for the development of the code and licensing,” and would move authority away from local public health units. Glott said the proposal includes a one-time appropriation of $99,500 for the next biennium to pay DEQ costs for rule development and temporary staff time and would allow DEQ to collect licensing fees to fund operations. The draft also mirrors existing statute by allowing civil penalties of up to $12,500 per day for egregious violations.

Committee members pressed for safeguards for established, functioning septic systems. Representative Hedlund asked whether the measure would require owners of functioning systems that do not meet a new standard to replace them; Glott pointed to provisions labeling some systems as “conforming” or “nonconforming” and said the intent was to allow repair of existing, functioning systems rather than forcing full replacement. He said, “If you had an established working septic system ... it works. Let it go.”

Members and DEQ staff also discussed the approach to rulemaking and appeals: Glott described a process that would engage installers and local public health units during rule development, then go to public comment and the administrative rules committee. He said DEQ would serve as an “arbitrator” if an installer and a local public health unit disagreed about compliance with adopted rules.

Committee members asked DEQ to compare a House subcommittee draft labeled “02/2001” with the version filed in the Senate and return with a side-by-side list of differences. Chairman Porter and staff directed DEQ to meet with the bill sponsor in the Senate and bring amended language back to the committee; Glott said he expected to return with a side-by-side comparison.

No formal vote on SB 2267 occurred in the committee today. The committee recorded that DEQ staff will review the 02/2001 draft, meet with the Senate sponsor and return with proposed amendments; the committee also asked for a report to the committee before the next session on whether the initial funding proved sufficient.

The discussion also referenced statutory language used in prior drafts regarding standards for on-site wastewater systems and protections for nonconforming systems; committee members asked staff to ensure those safeguards are retained in any amendments.

The committee scheduled follow-up consideration for the next meeting day so staff and DEQ could complete a side-by-side comparison and bring clarifying amendments.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Energy and Natural Resources Thursday, Apr 10, 2025 9:55 AM - 10:54 AM","oneSentenceSummary","The House Natural Resources Committee on Oct. 12 heard a briefing on Senate Bill 2267, which would make the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) the sole state agency responsible for developing statewide on-site wastewater rules, licensing installers and enforcing those rules.","taxTitle","Energy and Natural Resources, House of Representatives, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28890,"location","North Dakota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6080067,"Committee votes 'do not pass' on bill to define ordinary high-water mark",0,3312000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2952037-042a03b4e0348f68e0b37204abc77010&start=3312&end=3312","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2952037-042a03b4e0348f68e0b37204abc77010/thumbnail_3312000.jpg","/articles/6080067/North-Dakota/Committee-votes-do-not-pass-on-bill-to-define-ordinary-high-water-mark","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080067-7f0ebc8cf27c829a23b2376ea54f15f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152122&Signature=NRbTMyYudUxp4OdQHQyFlAZWlRB85iv3xP2akbUcWFPgHjBtTx3Cmym1XCML5opKsPtEy~uHDpHC8bd7zEMVcB99nxCsHoKaCH9q46LLTQTecrZClkjryuqmYQjzvaowf-ix9rLblbWxXK1foyQA0TUh0sUtCpbeOM-GXoDs-x-v3TW2QdMSkbTusDj03MB0RrOTQHxBGdEa7FOA2ljIwLjdurx0BQKsG~rflKHSlPQGVPaYTOzk~vQwXNa4PrSQ0NlUhGevsJ-VuopTgKIrt1rLIksEPkDjY6cqUqgXcP6HfOLdTiA2MelzXax3aivcWtFB6UKn6WeFFDSRE3f06Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Natural Resources Committee on Oct. 12 voted to recommend a do not pass for Senate Bill 2325, a measure that would establish a statutory method for determining the ordinary high-water mark on waterways.

Representative Anderson questioned how the committee would determine a stable high-water mark when water levels and drainage can change year to year. Representative Haggard moved a do-not-pass recommendation; Representative Anderson seconded. Committee members noted testimony both for and against the bill and discussed a separate resolution or study that may address the issue without inserting high-water mark language into the Century Code.

Roll-call votes on the do-not-pass motion were recorded as unanimous in committee. Representative Anderson was named to carry the bill recommendation to the floor. Committee members indicated they preferred the alternative approach of a study or resolution to tackle the measurement problem rather than codifying a single method in statute.","The committee rejected Senate Bill 2325, which sought statutory language for determining the ordinary high-water mark; members said high-water mark language is problematic because water levels change and suggested the issue may belong in a separate study or resolution.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6080071,"Committee advances watershed-boundary study, schedules further coordination",268,3105000,3373000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2952037-042a03b4e0348f68e0b37204abc77010&start=3105&end=3373","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2952037-042a03b4e0348f68e0b37204abc77010/thumbnail_3105000.jpg","/articles/6080071/North-Dakota/Committee-advances-watershed-boundary-study-schedules-further-coordination","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080071-f4e893e729342d5af8f14635e1f87591/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152122&Signature=cwzhL0WUWklEQyN1DCFK90ByRiWw93LDAfpUgsg3rW07UpVbe-sxIF7hswdXJvxbkTGFLBVP~JPv3G-XmksYmdK4PdXIubhaoqHD591prz1XHAFQeCWVdSSRzSHhVuUd~3YJh2jc42~~Cy2icSYLQ7ZXMyrY9B56GWBkRxdYOvXKceEv-uedru62cp-CVQDN1hewjiQ7s8UsUqLKw5JaLf53LfM5-U5Jkx2DjVhvzfz9iH6tYjqDIfxmzOAAG5YE~bcwNGB4IicIy5yISCmC7TNNz0mtwztjyLSze2tRvcOqcuCjcBbxx1Azfgc4moUcFyUASP65-y8fywWv5XlZmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Natural Resources Committee on Oct. 12 voted to recommend a due pass for Senate Bill 2210, a shell bill that would direct an interim study of watershed boundaries and related water-resource topics for the Water Resources Committee.

Representative Haggard moved the due-pass recommendation; Representative Hedlund seconded. Representative Olson asked whether a separate bill meant to create boards across county lines (SB 2276) would render the study unnecessary; committee members said SB 2276 would be considered separately and that SB 2210 remains a standalone study for the interim.

Roll call on the due-pass motion recorded unanimous support in committee. Members noted the study will help inform possible statutory changes related to drains and water flow across county boundaries and agreed sponsors should coordinate floor placement relative to related water bills.","The committee voted to give Senate Bill 2210 a due-pass recommendation; members said the watershed-boundary study is a standalone interim project for the water resources committee and asked sponsors to coordinate calendar placement with related bills.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_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},6080075,"Committee adopts amendment and advances wildfire mitigation bills after debate over utility protections",807,2237000,3044000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2952037-042a03b4e0348f68e0b37204abc77010&start=2237&end=3044","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2952037-042a03b4e0348f68e0b37204abc77010/thumbnail_2237000.jpg","/articles/6080075/North-Dakota/Committee-adopts-amendment-and-advances-wildfire-mitigation-bills-after-debate-over-utility-protections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6080075-da8969edaa3f42d59586a833fb18da98/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152122&Signature=WIFrI6dhRwrh0s0SRqcDNMJ-r3O~yAW9VdvuR8r7V8EM3Dv68K0I3xQkgtTKWFzOhTd55CM6GSc2VIV96JQy9KlENgYKF-jK2ULbBT2VURmJygvWJl8whKDwyLVlK0p06unJ~Xtv5DK4RdcggSqbVMryeM7N6dUc1lGk4HdaDvMEpBToKA9HU4VQR9aaE9UEWxf00q1FnbQUsAbsPqWybYxHUovktJXWHY8iOwLL7zwoVVQERd9jQ0eeFgwi6hxjuSGnu7oSiUnazGO~8EfdGmxhSN~AyCRZjal35EWo9vs4okD9-O81Bj9qOkgjFXXKC01Ud2az5nFbtDQ12aWvXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Natural Resources Committee on Oct. 12 approved an amendment and advanced Senate Bill 2339, a bill addressing wildfire mitigation plans (WMPs) for utilities, along with its companion, Senate Bill 2340, which mandates a study of fire service operational response needs.

Representative Doctor moved the subcommittee amendment labeled 02/2001 for SB 2339; Representative Olsen seconded. The amendment struck the word “shall” and inserted “may” on a provision directing annual submission language, converting a mandatory duty to permissive language on one line of the draft. The committee adopted the amendment by voice vote and then voted to give SB 2339 a “do pass as amended” recommendation to the full House.

Representative Johnson opposed final passage, saying the bill creates “a carve out” that could make it harder for uninsured or underinsured residents to pursue claims against utilities after a wildfire. Johnson urged making WMPs mandatory and recommended giving the Public Service Commission (PSC) authority for approval and monitoring. Representative Khamenei and others also said they would not support the bill as written because it incentivizes voluntary plans rather than requiring them.

Supporters said the bill conditions the availability of certain protections on utilities’ meeting standards. Committee discussion referenced compliance with American National Standards Institute A300 Part 7 and the 2023 National Electric Safety Code as the standards utilities must meet to qualify for the bill’s benefits. A sponsor noted the difference between investor-owned utilities (already regulated by the PSC) and rural cooperatives, which are governed by local boards and were resistant to PSC oversight; the permissive “may” language reflected that compromise.

The committee then advanced the companion SB 2340 (the operational study) with a separate do-pass recommendation.

Roll-call votes recorded on SB 2339 as amended showed the following positions in committee: Chairman Porter — yes; Vice Chair Anderson — yes; Vice Chair Novak — yes; Representative Conmee — no; Representative Doctor — yes; Representative Fosse — yes; Representative Haggard — yes; Representative Hedlund — yes; Representative Johnson — no; Representative Marshall — yes; Representative Olsen — yes; Representative Ruby — no. The motion carried and SB 2339 was recommended to the floor as amended.

SB 2340, the companion study, also received a due-pass recommendation on a subsequent roll call and was discussed as part of the package with SB 2339.

Committee members directed floor placement and said the sponsor should coordinate which bill is presented first so both measures appear appropriately on the calendar.","The committee amended Senate Bill 2339 to replace mandatory language with permissive language for wildfire mitigation plans, advanced SB 2339 as amended and companion SB 2340; members debated whether the bills grant utilities immunity and whether plans should be mandatory.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee reviews Senate Bill 2267 to centralize on-site wastewater rules under DEQ

Committee votes 'do not pass' on bill to define ordinary high-water mark

Committee advances watershed-boundary study, schedules further coordination

Committee adopts amendment and advances wildfire mitigation bills after debate over utility protections