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Committee hears bill to modernize Lignite Research Council; staff, industry and NDIC to refine language
Summary
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee heard House Bill 15 92, which would update Century Code language governing the Lignite Research Council’s appointments, funding and public‑records treatment, and appointed a senator to work with sponsors and NDIC staff to refine the bill text.
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee heard House Bill 15 92, sponsored by Representative Anna Novak, which would update Century Code language governing the Lignite Research Council (LRC) to align appointments, operations and public‑records treatment with other research councils.
Novak told the committee the changes modernize a structure first established in 1987 and “ensure the Lignite Research Council operates with greater clarity, efficiency, and transparency.” She said the bill aligns LRC language with the Oil and Gas Research Council and the Renewable Energy Council, clarifies how funds from coal conversion and coal severance taxes are allocated, and moves some policy from executive order language into statute.
Jonathan Fortner, speaking for the Lignite Energy Council, outlined how the LRC operates: projects are funded from a portion of coal severance and coal conversion taxes, the council meets twice a year, proposals are blind‑reviewed and scored, many projects require a 50% cash match, and approved recommendations are forwarded to the North Dakota Industrial Commission (NDIC) for final approval. Fortner described past project areas including carbon capture and critical‑minerals research and said the bill clarifies appointment language, quorum rules, reviewer selection, and public‑records treatment for confidential commercial and legal materials.
Jordan (last name not specified), a deputy director in the office of the Industrial Commission, spoke in a neutral position. He said the NDIC supports the bill’s intent to codify council structure rather than relying on executive orders but requested language clarifications to avoid ambiguity where the text currently uses the term “council” without distinguishing between the Lignite Energy Council (trade association) and the Lignite Research Council (the appointed body). He also suggested clarifying executive committee membership language so the chairman is clearly part of the executive committee.
Senator Gerhardt asked about the size of the council; Fortner said membership has varied and that broad representation from mines, power plants, state agencies, and industry helps vet a wide range of project types. Committee members agreed the bill’s intent was sound but that a small number of drafting clarifications remained.
The committee appointed Senator Behm to work with Representative Novak, Jonathan Fortner, and NDIC staff to reconcile the drafting items before the bill moves forward. No committee vote on final passage was recorded during the hearing.
