[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",6281143,"mediaKeyId","2608073-84353a781965e9e3cfbd706336584861","parentId",2608073,"title","Committee backs bill to centralize floodplain participation records and shift township authority to counties unless townships opt back in","audioSeconds",1474,"startMs",3672000,"endMs",5146000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2608073-84353a781965e9e3cfbd706336584861&start=3672&end=5146","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2608073-84353a781965e9e3cfbd706336584861/thumbnail_3672000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6281143/North-Dakota/Committee-backs-bill-to-centralize-floodplain-participation-records-and-shift-township-authority-to-counties-unless-townships-opt-back-in","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6281143-de28a3daa56bb5e30f70db9413fdbf31/orig.mp4?Expires=1775945575&Signature=hZfVvFibj2jAb9dZM6ZPnYej5TkpTvRV7EHTxdIUmaGoGYTJdkfUXeyQv4VAEPdmvnHuiv2wMtunYvKavxK1gwEcvbhNbWtvs5PUA04JP8raxkbA2kfG~FGMJ7SNgk8XizZ0Qa21q~ygAogzOTj2tjXRnHH7XnWQJtEY4yR0gxNJDMf0NaT4bBOh3TdpgTBtC89XoVZiyQ6e6JVeqkG4oeOzFS6ItyvDCsr2inRDOylLQQ-PxHNh28ptkAG6XSI5eijzYoyu1aDNaykiK24tw9NhUlx6lL1~JRFY6cqRTzT44MUbsl67XGp5ezHPLS5jjw5X5QaYocR2UvazTXRO6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota State Legislature","date","2025-03-13T00:00:00Z","article","Sen. Paul Thomas told the committee Senate Bill 2027 would establish a central, public repository at the Department of Water Resources showing which political subdivisions participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and clarify which entity holds floodplain management authority.

The bill moves floodplain zoning authority away from townships and gives counties the primary responsibility for recording and certifying participation in NFIP; townships may later reclaim authority if they pass a resolution, hold a vote of qualified electors and meet specified procedural steps. \"We need to establish a flood repository,\" Thomas said, describing the database as a single place where insurance agents and residents can check whether a community participates in NFIP.

Department of Water Resources staff told the committee the agency already supports floodplain management education and can host a public, searchable repository; the department testified it supports the bill and noted it will maintain the repository and assist communities.

Insurance department staff and representatives of the North Dakota Association of Realtors supported the bill as a consumer‑protection tool after describing cases in which residents paid premiums for policies that were not valid because their township or local authority did not participate in NFIP. \"This really stems from issues where consumers purchased policies ... only to then experience a loss, file a claim, [and] have FEMA dig in and realize ... this isn't a valid policy,\" said deputy insurance commissioner John Arnold. He said the repository would be a tool for insurance producers to verify participating communities.

County and township association representatives said they worked on the study behind the bill; the Association of Counties noted the administrative burden and review work required to maintain maps and ordinances compliant with NFIP standards. The bill requires an annual certification by counties (by March 31) and by townships (by April 30), and directs the Department of Water Resources to publish an updated statewide map by May 31 each year.

Committee members asked why a community might choose not to participate. Witnesses said participation is voluntary for many local governments and that participation decisions are driven by local assessments of risk and cost.

No formal opposition was recorded and the hearing concluded with multiple supporters urging the committee’s favorable recommendation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Energy and Natural Resources Thursday, Mar 13, 2025 8:58 AM - 11:56 AM","oneSentenceSummary","The committee advanced legislation to create a Department of Water Resources public repository showing which cities, counties and townships participate in the National Flood Insurance Program and to clarify local floodplain management authority.","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},6281138,"Township zoning bill draws split testimony over local control, capacity and business risk",3239,7200000,10439000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2608073-84353a781965e9e3cfbd706336584861&start=7200&end=10439","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2608073-84353a781965e9e3cfbd706336584861/thumbnail_7200000.jpg","/articles/6281138/North-Dakota/Township-zoning-bill-draws-split-testimony-over-local-control-capacity-and-business-risk","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6281138-1ff1401df38ab0a6a71b6abefd1609a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775945575&Signature=Et6F8NftWlWv50S-fvie2~ufXJxNnoZjAqDNQwGWbXyCkRYPgA8xt2cQ9J7xxnUqmONbDeAN8o5TrvQibzX4ip8JGWoT-g~BX~3eBt3DYZ3vAJ0SE3cnG71qjZMaHRRkK3wH4~VHKkuwEt2RV8kf~UlLDbGkQBdUUPqeUFSBC5NlAW25VZRFv~YlUa-Hn29TZwkU2Q~MaEoXsrGl~E69~FAslBcs8lcABpVu3XND34Smq7nCesJD2oBd1vX2tWsHPaTFS03-zFqw4ROeKl8Vz~UUO1SOOqwxycyjNqFht~~5c2IJ5cbTZKkdpBwm~QdM7LGLSqDupvG9sgN9nYqJ5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 2317, sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Jeff Magram, would allow townships that unilaterally transferred zoning authority to counties to reacquire that authority after following a series of specified steps: a board resolution, a vote by qualified electors, a comprehensive plan, adoption of zoning ordinances and appointment of a zoning administrator.

Township officers, advocates and several townships' representatives testified in favor, saying local residents want a stronger voice in how adjacent rural land is used and alleging some counties have been resistant to returning zoning control. Larry Severson of the North Dakota Township Officers Association told the committee that in some cases the county \"will not return the authority to the township, but will not enforce the code they do have,\" leaving local blight or nuisance problems unresolved.

Proponents described successful township zoning arrangements that negotiated road improvements, noise mitigation and other project concessions with developers. \"We were able to have a place at the table and actually have a say in what goes on and how our community is shaped,\" one township officer said in testimony.

Opponents included industry groups and large project developers, notably Applied Digital. Martin Vega, director of community operations for Applied Digital, testified that unilateral transfer of zoning back to townships would create regulatory uncertainty for large capital projects and could impose unnecessary project risk. He described a case where a small township prepared a 100‑page ordinance that later required legal review to resolve contradictions and accessibility problems; he urged caution and clearer guardrails.

County planners and the Association of Counties said the work of maintaining compliant maps, updating floodplain or zoning maps, and the administrative burden of inspections and ordinance updates are significant tasks. A county planner recommended the bill specify that a reclaiming township must also assign zoning categories to every parcel and suggested a waiting period before allowing repeated transfers back and forth to avoid administrative limbo for property owners.

Committee members expressed concerns about fiscal capacity in small townships, potential tax or fee impacts to hire inspectors or administrators, and about nonresident landowners who might be affected without voting representation. Proponents countered that many townships seeking authority have active local participation and would use joint powers agreements to share services where necessary.

No final committee action was recorded in the transcript excerpted; testimony was mixed, with supporters urging a favorable recommendation and opponents asking for limitations or guardrails to reduce business and administrative risks.","Senate Bill 2317 would allow townships that previously relinquished zoning authority to regain it if they complete a defined set of steps, prompting sharply split testimony over local control, administrative capacity and risks to large projects.",{"_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},6281146,"Committee backs expanded grant and loan authority for Clean Sustainable Energy Authority after amendment",1960,843000,2803000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2608073-84353a781965e9e3cfbd706336584861&start=843&end=2803","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2608073-84353a781965e9e3cfbd706336584861/thumbnail_843000.jpg","/articles/6281146/North-Dakota/Committee-backs-expanded-grant-and-loan-authority-for-Clean-Sustainable-Energy-Authority-after-amendment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6281146-7295fbca021562d934e20d607e69022a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775945576&Signature=bb2nd1yPASMVvYtKge-Nf9oXaf0lqN09AFvlqU04OknydShqqMSnAEUojol64PLb9xruvY98nJkpecSy-SOt5tAgykamz9wcCJyo-K2d6o5ANyWtPBtJXnADJWQG2y-o1as3ReBV9h9YxNN3HlwtFvcgP265TJ7nyPnpCBAMQvywq3GKWn9-EX85QweZysMkWH1toRqAgVOAmqoUaY3vzbIOtKsKcZZjJv5p4LxoLTbKg9ShvJJYpMumvRWuZxQlX3iPKxMemrbG-iEy8khix4hgybSRZnUZixyvRaBQ0GF8nixPfl6Jb1mn4FSaxAmLJh3GVZZNwbY77z5lFixheA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sen. Dale Patton told the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee that Senate Bill 2188 would adjust the membership of the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority’s technical advisors and provide additional funding for grants and a line of credit aimed at commercializing energy projects.

Patton said the bill would add the Department of Water Resources director as a nonvoting technical adviser because many projects have a significant impact on water demand. \"The demand for water resources for these projects is pretty significant,\" the Department of Water Resources director, Reese Hawes, told the committee when he later testified in support.

Jordan (Deputy Director, Office of the Industrial Commission) and Bank of North Dakota representatives described the authority's grant and loan history. Jordan reviewed cumulative grant awards, decommitments and examples of projects supported, and said the senate appropriations committee had reduced the governor's original request (described in testimony as initially $30 million in grants and $100 million in loan authority) to $15 million in grants and $40 million in loans. Bank of North Dakota chief business development officer Kelvin Hollett explained the authority's line-of-credit, revolving-loan structure, and said the Bank currently manages a $390 million line of credit for the authority and that roughly $12 million in cash was available for loans at the time of testimony.

Committee members and BND staff discussed Project Tundra and other large, potential loans that have been approved but not yet disbursed; BND noted a $250 million loan approval for a major project that remains undrawn and will affect how the line of credit is repaid in later biennia. \"If the Minnkota project comes in in this biennium, we would lend them the $250,000,000,\" a Bank witness said, describing how repayment would be addressed in later biennia.

Members debated restoring the sponsor's original funding levels. Representative Ruby moved to amend the bill to increase grant funding from $15 million to $30 million and to increase the cash appropriation to the revolving loan fund (line of credit/cash mix) from $40 million to $100 million, and to extend the line‑of‑credit authorization through June 30, 2029. The amendment passed on a recorded vote; Representative Olsen later moved a due‑pass recommendation to re‑refer the bill to Appropriations as amended. The committee's roll call shows the due‑pass as amended carried; the bill will proceed to Appropriations.

Speakers provided detail about previously awarded grants and loans (examples included grant awards to Bakken Energy that were later decommitted, multi‑phase projects for lithium extraction and hydro projects, and carbon‑capture feasibility work). Bank representatives reiterated that the loan products are 2% fixed interest and that projects undergo both an economic viability review and an independent technical review before recommendation to the authority.

The committee closed the hearing with no recorded organized opposition.","The committee recommended a due‑pass on Senate Bill 2188 as amended, increasing proposed grant funding and loan line authority for the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority and adding the Director of Water Resources as a technical advisor; committee members discussed past awards, decommitments, and the authority's revolving loan structure.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6281149,"Committee advances Patton bill to raise State Energy Research Center funding and extend sunset",2460,116000,2576000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2608073-84353a781965e9e3cfbd706336584861&start=116&end=2576","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2608073-84353a781965e9e3cfbd706336584861/thumbnail_116000.jpg","/articles/6281149/North-Dakota/Committee-advances-Patton-bill-to-raise-State-Energy-Research-Center-funding-and-extend-sunset","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6281149-879add7c35f313b4c22cf75e845bf685/orig.mp4?Expires=1775945575&Signature=dO4PXyiUnKtmpwcLi5LRH96qmvROTdjzdfzF6oi0a-AAI1985e~KrqqnSvvqLA9tJrnktq~Rumi-lqyCQSODj~akxuTEJFH4F4CeIOQZ0Kcowm977E1NknHEbYUBZGDP6YRC~JpcWVXAxJ8C136to0Ea7Zb9Pwn5MF1o6aGySKrU7Iz7UyrEvNMggk-AAPrisWQ7LqKIfF7ZBy553N8Lr7Jtbyf1ixC5tMYKkK9eC59w8iQTeN4-4~d0Mci0zM8BxfsrrxigxyqpR39QLwrK2wZng~H-ZeS0NeIpmFq9V0y6nrs8JcVMtDFkwfKzjsDp8~YrFbd1ExapfGOrYrkG7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators and committee members advanced Senate Bill 2143 on a voice/roll-call motion after hearing testimony that the State Energy Research Center has seeded early-stage energy research and leveraged additional investment.

Sen. Dale Patton introduced the bill as seeking to amend the per‑biennium appropriation for the State Energy Research Center from $7,500,000 to $10,000,000 and to extend the existing sunset provision. \"Very simple bill,\" Patton said, describing the increase and an amendment to extend the sunset.

Tom Erickson, director of the State Energy Research Center at the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC), described how the center focuses on very early, exploratory research and shepherds ideas toward commercialization. \"We spend approximately 80% of all of the funding on the State Energy Research Center focused on these new ideas,\" Erickson said. He told the committee the program has funded more than 60 ideas, supported follow‑on proposals that secured roughly $71 million in additional proposal requests and $33 million in brought‑in funding, and has pursued patent protection for several technologies.

Erickson described a small, early investment that led to a compressor redesign and commercial relationships aimed at reducing flaring in North Dakota: \"A lot of that idea was born out of just $90,000 worth of effort from the State Energy Research Center.\" He also described the Energy Hawks summer program that brings college students statewide for ten weeks of exposure to North Dakota energy industries and ideation work.

With no opposition offered, Representative Hedlund moved a \"do pass\" recommendation with referral to appropriations; Representative Ruby seconded the motion. The clerk called the roll and the motion carried by recorded vote.

The committee record shows the bill will be carried forward to the Appropriations Committee for consideration of the requested funding increase and the sunset-extension language.

Votes at a glance: Due pass and re‑refer to Appropriations on Senate Bill 2143 — motion by Rep. Hedlund, second by Rep. Ruby; roll call recorded in committee minutes.","The House Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted to give Senate Bill 2143 a \"do pass\" recommendation and re-refer it to appropriations after testimony that the State Energy Research Center has funded early-stage energy innovation in North Dakota and attracted follow-on investment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee backs bill to centralize floodplain participation records and shift township authority to counties unless townships opt back in

Township zoning bill draws split testimony over local control, capacity and business risk

Committee backs expanded grant and loan authority for Clean Sustainable Energy Authority after amendment

Committee advances Patton bill to raise State Energy Research Center funding and extend sunset