[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6380601,"mediaKeyId","2131102-cea60c803c43c86c446d5b9ccbbbb76f","parentId",2131102,"title","Hearing on bill blocking international health and climate rules draws sharp questions from state agencies","audioSeconds",2579,"startMs",3611000,"endMs",6190000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2131102-cea60c803c43c86c446d5b9ccbbbb76f&start=3611&end=6190","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2131102-cea60c803c43c86c446d5b9ccbbbb76f/thumbnail_3611000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6380601/North-Dakota/Hearing-on-bill-blocking-international-health-and-climate-rules-draws-sharp-questions-from-state-agencies","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6380601-b2e251e7294456f9ae1d19051aaeeacf/orig.mp4?Expires=1775367382&Signature=DqoEsheJc11w0PQiQoRdBKSgdpqwS-fVw8ONSVI3S7TMaJs2fwkrSYIV8-c5ouqP1ONu58-eqm05o7ZqvslL3trp~Me3nQtCBwjIRNEpe2efceWktP9jPXm30DU7triUV1iuxQ3OdYffKriqm0Wwn3wUshEm0xhvm9kjHNVJTPhFIAMemSiiz6d~zQHfLVW6jKhY7hn~P~eRNPw26zJ4SW4BBHl8H4QQboGSwLg19FJC3qpEY~~D7JrsKVbYGzXCvC-kR0Ba5TPSSsRyjEPePYgBaZBxebidcrWDugXOph6NmwWTrQYVFZOSbKivp0bUBkvf-zIDi~eaTPjCZq43nQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Energy and Natural Resources, ND","date","2025-01-16T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Halvorsen introduced House Bill 1089, a proposal that would prohibit state or local laws, ordinances or policies that \"deliberately or inadvertently\" restrict private property rights in furtherance of certain United Nations agendas and would bar public funds for related initiatives.

The bill's sponsor said the measure is intended to be proactive protection of state sovereignty and private-property rights. \"The key part ... is 'may not adopt or implement a law, ordinance, or policy that deliberately or inadvertently infringes on ... private property rights in North Dakota,'\" Representative Halvorsen said, adding he would seek drafting clarifications after committee questions.

Supporters: Several local Republicans and activists testified in support, arguing the United Nations' publicly posted agendas (including references to Agenda 21, the 2030 agenda and other climate-related initiatives) present ideas the state should scrutinize before they enter state policy. \"I'm in support of anything that protects our sovereignty as a state,\" testified Travis Ziblotny, a Minot resident and regional GOP official.

Opposition and legal concerns: The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the attorney general's office urged caution and raised constitutional and practical problems. DEQ Director David Glatt (transcript identifies him as David Glott) testified in opposition, warning the bill could unintentionally prevent the state from adopting federal rules that reference international standards — a step that could jeopardize cooperative federal programs administered in North Dakota under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act and RCRA. \"HB 1089 could prohibit the DEQ from adopting or enforcing existing or proposed federal regulations that may directly or indirectly reference international standards or climate initiatives,\" Glatt told the committee.

Claire Ness, chief deputy attorney general, flagged constitutional questions and vagueness concerns. She told the committee that protecting property rights is already a constitutional requirement but that the bill's wording — including phrases such as \"in accordance with an agenda plan or resolution of the United Nations\" and broad bans on spending \"for any other related plan or initiative\" — could be challenged as unconstitutionally vague. She also noted the supremacy clause means states cannot simply ignore federal law; a statute purporting to refuse to comply with federal obligations could be preempted. Ness said enforcement questions and vagueness could make the provision vulnerable to legal challenge.

Committee action: The committee took testimony on the bill and heard both supporters and multiple state officials opposed or concerned; the hearing closed without immediate committee action.

Why it matters: Proponents framed the bill as a preemptive protection of state prerogatives and property rights. Opponents warned the drafting, as written, could weaken state environmental programs and create legal exposure, making it harder for the state to retain program delegations from federal agencies.

Ending: Representative Halvorsen said he would work with legislative counsel to clarify the language; the committee closed the hearing with no vote recorded.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Energy and Natural Resources Jan 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Halvorsen introduced House Bill 1089, a proposal that would bar state adoption of laws tied to certain United Nations agendas and restrict public spending on related initiatives.","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":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},6380595,"Committee clears three Department of Water Resources technical fixes; bills advance from Energy and Natural Resources",4977,3255000,8232000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2131102-cea60c803c43c86c446d5b9ccbbbb76f&start=3255&end=8232","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2131102-cea60c803c43c86c446d5b9ccbbbb76f/thumbnail_3255000.jpg","/articles/6380595/North-Dakota/Committee-clears-three-Department-of-Water-Resources-technical-fixes-bills-advance-from-Energy-and-Natural-Resources","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6380595-d74395fa2407a3f25c47aaf0fb5f9bdb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775367382&Signature=FBJGfUkA4Plrek2HbMOn1WHZQ2aXPU4pg~lY6YMvKr1YZCuUaITQdflqoS0UHdbHmrvcNUa~73eMKZlACfFVxc8gH4u29C324I33L7e0LOap0MK2~53fRF~XvZhw6jh58~QeaoiQtXwtGbIkKQcCykwEwJCXkvpYcgugULmoCEwwiDGCK-~TL8OMn2kIrC~dWDRc8LaIdVHcIQ8LkX7bCPm9uZ4-BJLGj4BgbAOegLgEX1s2iky10cNhg0W5HCIfSmijGpFusZh~swfeplg2No8h-cJ9AtsyQ9fU4k6yPWeFD4xzVjZfiw1AVcDPLAk~IWO8~J~pl1IoPir4AB4gyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Energy and Natural Resources Committee unanimously recommended do-pass on three technical bills from the Department of Water Resources on Thursday.

House Bill 1041 updates Century Code section 61-16.153 to remove outdated dike permitting thresholds that were left unchanged after last session's dike-permitting rewrite. Matt Lindsey, engineering and permitting section manager for the Department of Water Resources, told the committee the bill \"is a cleanup effort ... to remove outdated permitting thresholds\" so the complaint statute mirrors the revised permitting statute. The committee approved HB1041 on a unanimous do-pass vote.

House Bill 1042 corrects a drafting oversight in Century Code 61-04-14 that referred to both an application and a permit; the change makes clear the section applies to permits rather than permit applications, Department staff told the committee. Kimberly Fisher, groundwater section manager, said the revision \"makes the wording more clear and consistent\" and will not change the law's intent or application. The committee recommended a do-pass.

House Bill 1043 fixes contradictory language about appointment of the vice chairman of the State Water Commission. Director Reece Hawes (testimony identifies him as Reece/ Reece Haas earlier in the record) said the bill strikes inconsistent language so that the governor's appointment authority in section 61-02-05 is not contradicted by later language in 61-02-08. The committee recommended a do-pass.

Why it matters: all three bills are technical, agency-request bills intended to reconcile inconsistent code language after prior statutory revisions. Department staff said the bills remove sources of confusion between permitting and complaint statutes, clarify administrative procedures and reduce the risk of conflicting interpretations.

Committee action and votes: the three bills were each approved by the committee on recorded do-pass recommendations and will proceed to the next stage. Committee members recorded unanimous support on the rolls for each measure.

Ending: Committee staff said the bills are corrective in nature and would not change substantive permitting standards.","The House Energy and Natural Resources Committee unanimously recommended do-pass on three technical bills from the Department of Water Resources addressing dike permitting thresholds, permit language and State Water Commission vice-chair language.",{"_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},6380606,"Legislature advances study of advanced nuclear energy; adds small modular and water resources representation",7917,199000,8116000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2131102-cea60c803c43c86c446d5b9ccbbbb76f&start=199&end=8116","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2131102-cea60c803c43c86c446d5b9ccbbbb76f/thumbnail_199000.jpg","/articles/6380606/North-Dakota/Legislature-advances-study-of-advanced-nuclear-energy-adds-small-modular-and-water-resources-representation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6380606-1a6f4c68cd1f595262067607975cb2b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775367382&Signature=fXTKVG6ZSAZhsao0LrWParhvtzkBZbgmpIKqJwmDw33EUi6sZ0E1pqNF-u-ocdmwdkFEbUZNTR5hxuwxotj9EKEIFihc-RIssO3SnhcIRqxUUDvbKzXTdmj8uG5cBK7RNwH4szQfxnNWLu1~9pCO4k-GcvnZoU-8rnL81pyRFZOfRQNEj-Bm5w9AEqvUZLSi8P-HrmDRYJ1seY4j3gWRDnkZAbgyKeFCVwoWIY-fstITX-c7nlpXDA-bqOECWNaPXqwDaFg3L~LAofyLuyQCuwZV7PYlZiLOdkQXU58UneexQbJf864~S8oksuAEdfSbbEcwb8NxBnoiXZruNSGgtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 1025, a measure to create a legislative study on advanced nuclear energy in North Dakota, cleared the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee on a voice/roll vote after amendment on Thursday.

The study, sponsored in testimony by Senator David Hogue, would create an interim legislative committee to evaluate the feasibility, costs, community readiness and other implications of advanced nuclear development in the state. \"House Bill 1025 is essentially a product of the interim Energy Development and Transition Committee,\" said Senator David Hogue, a state senator from District 38.

Committee members adopted two amendments before passing the bill. Representative Anderson added language to require the study to examine small modular and micro nuclear reactors — lower-capacity designs that proponents say can be sited and constructed more quickly than very large nuclear units. Representative Anderson described small modular reactors as \"usually considered under 300 megawatts\" and said they may be suitable where faster, smaller deployment is desirable. The committee also approved adding a Department of Water Resources representative to the study panel at the department's request, so water-use implications are included.

Why it matters: supporters and several energy stakeholders told the committee they want a formal, statewide assessment because nuclear projects have long lead times, complex permitting and substantial water and waste-storage implications. \"The complexity of trying to develop nuclear energy ... and just the amount of time that it takes ... is such a long and complex process that the interim committee really couldn't do it justice,\" Hogue said in testimony supporting the bill.

Testimony and technical context: Tony Greenberg, state director for Xcel Energy, said the company would \"welcome\" participation in an educational study and could provide staff and financial support as the legislature directs. Pam (Pamela) Gorman, Xcel Energy general manager for fleet operations with a nuclear emphasis, told the committee Xcel operates two sites in the Upper Midwest (three units) and expects existing plants to remain an important part of its portfolio. Gorman noted licensing and first-of-a-kind construction timelines can be long and said pilots for new technologies will help refine cost and supply-chain expectations. \"The pilots are important because it's gonna demonstrate not only the technology, but it's gonna demonstrate cost, supply chain, licensing,\" she said.

Water and spent-fuel concerns came up repeatedly. Reese Haas, director of the Department of Water Resources, asked for inclusion on the study panel and provided water-use context: citing Nuclear Energy Institute figures, he said a reactor can require large volumes of water and compared those totals to an existing state pipeline project. Josh Lewis Moore, who identified himself as president of Pershukon LLC with 20 years in nuclear work, described state regulatory steps and urged the committee to create channels to engage the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Legal and regulatory context: witnesses reiterated that federal processes — NRC licensing, spent-fuel disposition and court challenges over away-from-reactor storage — will shape any future projects. Pam Gorman noted private proposals and DOE consent-based siting work are in motion nationally.

Committee action and vote: Representative Dockter moved a \"do pass as amended and re-refer to Appropriations\" recommendation; Representative Haggart seconded. The committee recorded the roll call; the committee vote as recorded on the transcript was unanimous in favor (13 yes, 0 no). The committee also adopted the two amendments (adding small modular and micro reactors; adding a Department of Water Resources representative).

What's next: The bill, as amended, will go to the Appropriations Committee for review of the study appropriation and then may proceed to the full House if funded. Supporters said an early, structured study is needed to give the state options given long project timelines and rapidly evolving technology.

Ending: Committee members said the study would allow the legislature to examine technologies, siting, costs, water usage and community readiness before any specific project proposals reached the chamber for an up-or-down vote.","The House Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved House Bill 1025, creating a legislative study on advanced nuclear energy in North Dakota, adding small modular and micro reactors to the study scope and adding a Department of Water Resources representative. The bill passed the committee as amended and was re-referred to Appropriations.","actionData","errors"]

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Hearing on bill blocking international health and climate rules draws sharp questions from state agencies

Committee clears three Department of Water Resources technical fixes; bills advance from Energy and Natural Resources

Legislature advances study of advanced nuclear energy; adds small modular and water resources representation