[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",6088457,"mediaKeyId","2880004-4c22a4fdc8425c75399d8b1d6198a493","parentId",2880004,"title","Senate approves bill letting PSC override local siting rules for high‑voltage transmission lines","audioSeconds",2274,"startMs",3643000,"endMs",5917000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2880004-4c22a4fdc8425c75399d8b1d6198a493&start=3643&end=5917","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2880004-4c22a4fdc8425c75399d8b1d6198a493/thumbnail_3643000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6088457/North-Dakota/Senate-approves-bill-letting-PSC-override-local-siting-rules-for-highvoltage-transmission-lines","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088457-25af575f304e6f947fca8180751fc969/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189964&Signature=OtWsT1niS7d8rQpbcnH5S3lts37b-H7QovHPh0H7FkzeY-EQuqESUWZF8j4A3XlknSD1zAkiulIxt4yrCGznRYsPMxUwG7ZnJPzjqf1Exi9q-Jak-lPa369rA-0UfNXodYlOiV8EtU9NKLtPWFIQNgrLLkzMNM~KzjMxwaJXXsy-2Ze4cgetqpbTMOtu8Dq9XI0LprcyyFn~In2oC1aXeYb63tVe8mFXV25midOeJ7-GWPBonEXrtgqn1PgIohg1qm7PZaGYIsfWhnav1XWFKbVP-mSbkMuZxqW3PInO5GV9CTVE1GzeZYVna65m~jJICmH80fEuWiEFI3hlxtUVdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Dakota State Legislature","date","2025-04-04T00:00:00Z","article","Bismarck — The North Dakota Senate on Friday passed House Bill 12‑58 by a 27–18 vote, a measure that lets the Public Service Commission (PSC) supersede township and county land‑use and zoning rules for high‑voltage electric transmission projects when the PSC finds those rules “unreasonably restrictive.” The bill applies to lines at or above 15 kilovolts and contains a provision making part of the law retroactive to Jan. 1, 2025.

Supporters said HB 12‑58 addresses a statewide infrastructure need: long, cross‑jurisdiction transmission lines that serve regional reliability and economic development. Senator Van Oosting, the bill’s carrier, told colleagues the change brings transmission siting into the same statutory framework used for pipelines and other linear infrastructure, and that the PSC would continue to evaluate local ordinances and hold public hearings. “Transmission lines are essential for the energy grid as highways are to our transportation system,” Senator Patton said, adding the bill preserves local input while giving the PSC tools for projects that cross many jurisdictions.

Opponents said the bill weakens local control and was written in response to a single contested project. Multiple township officers and residents attended committee hearings and floor debate to argue the measure would strip counties and townships of longstanding planning authority. Senator Boehm said using legislation to force a particular project sets a dangerous precedent; Senator Grama pointed out that the PSC itself was not unanimous on the project tied to much of the session’s attention. Several speakers urged better planning and negotiations instead of changing state law.

Floor debate also focused on the bill’s retroactive provision. Van Oosting acknowledged the retroactivity concern, and opponents warned it could disrupt ongoing PSC siting proceedings. Senators asked whether burying lines had been considered; witnesses in committee noted burying high‑voltage transmission lines can be technically and economically impractical because of heat dissipation for certain voltages, though some alternatives (such as burial in limited segments or higher compensation) were discussed.

The Senate approved HB 12‑58 27 ayes to 18 nays, with 2 senators absent and not voting. The bill will proceed as required by the legislative process.

Proponents and opponents alike urged careful implementation: supporters to avoid routing delays for projects the state views as regionally important, and opponents to preserve the planning authority of local governments and the interests of nearby landowners.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","69th Legislative Assembly - Senate Floor Session Friday, Apr 4, 2025 12:25 PM - 2:39 PM","oneSentenceSummary","The North Dakota Senate passed House Bill 12‑58 27–18, authorizing the Public Service Commission to preempt township and county land‑use ordinances for certain high‑voltage transmission siting when those local rules are found “unreasonably restrictive.”","taxTitle","Senate, Legislative, North Dakota","taxId",28311,"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},6088452,"Senate approves owner‑liability measure for vehicles used in police pursuits; emergency clause fails",1197,5916000,7113000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2880004-4c22a4fdc8425c75399d8b1d6198a493&start=5916&end=7113","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2880004-4c22a4fdc8425c75399d8b1d6198a493/thumbnail_5916000.jpg","/articles/6088452/North-Dakota/Senate-approves-ownerliability-measure-for-vehicles-used-in-police-pursuits-emergency-clause-fails","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088452-67c3b87c323eff0812b7c358f715c601/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189964&Signature=DrZlpNI~F8bgUhK6cDmAbNysN95~HrjjwtCzvvP4NSh9rJ87m7bnWiANvpfx7qyMekoBk9pNJiJV-KA5JG1bha~GPkd3wl09sHP20COFxHk2Xrp5dA2SkwD05bfQcKKc4k3LvMN303cQzzuZYORGV8Ks1PLzC2xm4UIrnrG73Q3f24Xl3NAaEzxKvuGtXAbgdGEP25kjVJtQZJHBXZ74wmIQ949W66Fn~25qEFIY93YqG0acKrpXaW807JDddFJsWX0Nl8s7o71XkpYTzIoRZqyD9p2oha6i-pGeRuCJZ8Ua5EJu80zKX-PmMA8HhbgUYWOhRVBZJcWKkwQHVNTJkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bismarck — The North Dakota Senate approved House Bill 12‑29 by a 29–16 roll call on Friday, creating a civil penalty regime and an investigative tool for law enforcement when a motor vehicle flees from a peace officer. The bill passed without criminal penalties, and the Senate later rejected the emergency clause.

Under HB 12‑29, when officers obtain a license plate for a fleeing vehicle, they may stop pursuit and follow up by locating the registered owner. The owner may face a civil fine — $100 for a first offense and $500 for a subsequent offense — unless exceptions apply. The bill does not add criminal charges, does not add points to the owner’s driving record, and allows citations to be issued within four days of the incident. Exceptions include cases in which the actual driver is charged, the vehicle was reported stolen, the owner cooperates with investigators, or the owner provides evidence they were not driving at the time.

Supporters, including Senator Rummel, said the measure offers a practical tool to reduce dangerous high‑speed pursuits by allowing officers to end chases once they have a plate and pursue identification later. Law enforcement testimony to the Transportation Committee and floor remarks described a growing problem of fleeing vehicles and the public‑safety cost of high‑speed chases.

Opponents raised constitutional concerns about presuming owner responsibility and argued the proposal shifts burdens onto vehicle owners and could impinge on the presumption of innocence and the right to remain silent. Senators including Beard, Meerdahl and Braunberger urged caution, saying the approach may not withstand court scrutiny and risks penalizing owners whose vehicles were used without their knowledge.

Floor debate included questions about effects on insurance, how the law would treat multiple owners or leased vehicles, and whether the civil‑penalty mechanism is analogous to existing owner‑liability traffic provisions such as parking citations. Senator Rummel and other supporters pointed to statutory exceptions and law enforcement discretion as protections.

Final roll call on HB 12‑29 was 29 ayes, 16 nays, with 2 absent and not voting. The Senate voted that the bill’s emergency clause failed. The bill now continues through the legislative process as amended.","The North Dakota Senate passed House Bill 12‑29 29–16, creating a civil‑penalty mechanism and investigative pathway for law enforcement when a vehicle flees during a traffic stop; the emergency clause failed.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":46,"_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},6088447,"Votes at a glance: North Dakota Senate actions include votes on education, agriculture, public safety and regulatory changes",2286,3631000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2880004-4c22a4fdc8425c75399d8b1d6198a493&start=3631&end=5917","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2880004-4c22a4fdc8425c75399d8b1d6198a493/thumbnail_3631000.jpg","/articles/6088447/North-Dakota/Votes-at-a-glance-North-Dakota-Senate-actions-include-votes-on-education-agriculture-public-safety-and-regulatory-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6088447-eb8ccbaf65abc1f6c78b16d4f2963903/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189964&Signature=nfDRz1wJTu7B5HHqQQW0qbZoAM7qi-qUkK8Q52s3Xg8DaJonGdHa5OUGGngVvhJMn-s4MEs7B3qQH5ghyxUp0JNMafQYY1kwEFeetindfWphUp~CzHi~Q0XfNxrxj7ypUdCgqm~orltIDsQWgBkuH~BUZy3tB1Ojye91fPewyRcc8wleSlyi1FYnDJQLcuPCv31BBjUdD-dGJr5gNorlaIVORXBnTRHpriNRZ9MVn6Z67WkBgSOq2QFOqM9rlhuuvrKK9Kn5IpC-LHciO5P3aN5Enn8B1fZVtMWaK9bQkVvUpmlCi4yADq8xkhSQSJU7Dpq~GOuuIkkPIF6yGI1Deg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bismarck — The following is a consolidated summary of final floor actions recorded in the Senate transcript for the session excerpt provided. Where the transcript recorded a roll‑call tally or committee recommendation, that tally is listed. If the transcript did not specify a detail, the entry lists it as “not specified.”

Votes and final actions (selected bills recorded in the transcript):

- House Bill 15‑37 (service‑agreement protection between cities and rural water districts): Final tally 44 ayes, 1 nay, 2 absent; passed with emergency clause (recorded as the bill \"is passed and the emergency clause carries\"). Committee discussion described ongoing litigation and potential taxpayer exposure; bill applies to agreements made prior to Jan. 1, 2025 and exempts litigation commenced before that date.

- House Bill 15‑91 (county fair resiliency grant program): Final tally 45 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent; passed with emergency clause. Amendment reduced appropriation to $1.5 million and moved funding to the SIF fund; grants include matching requirements.

- House Bill 14‑66 (domestic and manufacturing distillery definitions; satellite locations): Final tally 45 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent; passed. Amendment increased production thresholds and clarified satellite permissions.

- House Bill 10‑27 (administration of state fire and tornado fund moved to Office of Management and Budget): Final tally 41 ayes, 4 nays, 2 absent; passed. Includes a legislative management study provision and transfer of administrative responsibility from the Insurance Commissioner to OMB.

- House Bill 14‑98 (authority for career & technical centers to pay first‑year signing bonuses): Final tally 44 ayes, 1 nay, 2 absent; passed with emergency clause. No state appropriation; authority limited to center budgets.

- House Bill 13‑08 (human trafficking commission changes): Final tally 45 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent; passed. Amendments designate standalone commission membership, expand prevention education, and grant civil immunity for good‑faith reporting for certain regulated professions.

- House Bill 10‑49 (audiology and speech‑language licensing changes, temporary licensure): Final tally 45 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent; passed. Amendments expand licensing pathways and permit the board to request records in investigations (subject to federal privacy rules/subpoena standards).

- House Bill 12‑58 (energy transmission siting — PSC preemption of local ordinances for high‑voltage lines): Final tally 27 ayes, 18 nays, 2 absent; passed. Extensive public comment and floor debate are covered in a separate article.

- House Bill 12‑29 (statutory fees and owner responsibility when a driver flees a peace officer): Final tally 29 ayes, 16 nays, 2 absent; passed. Emergency clause failed. See separate article for debate and constitutional concerns.

- House Bill 14‑42 (legislative task force on government efficiency): Final tally 41 ayes, 4 nays, 2 absent; passed with emergency clause. Task force to review agency budgets, identify duplication, and report to Legislative Management; sunset 2031.

- House Bill 12‑03 (regulating edible medical marijuana products/packaging): Final tally 42 ayes, 3 nays, 2 absent; passed.

- House Bill 14‑29 (prohibiting harassment/stalking of animals with drones): Final tally 45 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent; passed.

Bills that failed final passage (selected):

- House Bill 12‑91 (legislative study relating to immigration law): Final tally recorded as 1 aye, 44 nays, 2 absent; bill lost.

- House Bill 12‑20 (North Dakota accelerated degree for high‑demand occupations): Final tally 7 ayes, 38 nays, 2 absent; bill lost.

- House Bill 11‑60 (ban on personal electronic devices during instructional time statewide): Final tally 19 ayes, 26 nays, 2 absent; bill lost.

- House Bill 14‑64 (legislative study on maternal care services): Final tally 19 ayes, 26 nays, 2 absent; bill lost.

Context and process notes:
- The transcript records committee carriers explaining amendments, committee votes, and final roll‑call tallies recorded by the secretary. When the transcript did not list an individual mover or seconder for a floor motion, the summary uses the committee carrier language and the roll‑call tallies recorded.
- Where the transcript explicitly states exceptions, appropriation amounts, or retroactivity, those are noted; where the transcript did not provide a numeric detail, entries use \"not specified.\" For example, the amendments to HB 14‑48 included a $300,000 appropriation (committee added) and were re‑referred to Appropriations; that item is recorded in the transcript under proposed amendments.

What to watch next:
- Bills that passed with emergency clauses may have immediate effect; those without will follow standard effective dates if ultimately enacted.
- HB 12‑58 contains a retroactive provision flagged in floor debate; stakeholders noted it could affect ongoing PSC proceedings.

For reporters and stakeholders: each bill listed above has supporting transcript segments cited in the legislative record and in the individual articles for major debates.","The Senate considered and voted on a broad package of House bills on April 4. This roundup lists each final floor action recorded in the transcript, with outcomes and key details; contested debates are reported in separate stories.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate approves bill letting PSC override local siting rules for high‑voltage transmission lines

Senate approves owner‑liability measure for vehicles used in police pursuits; emergency clause fails

Votes at a glance: North Dakota Senate actions include votes on education, agriculture, public safety and regulatory changes