Committee adopts amendment to clarify rules for hunting from motorized vehicles, citing landowner permission and enforcement clarity

Representative Cynthia Schreiberbeck, sponsor of House Bill 15‑98, told the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee she brought the bill to clarify an obscure section of code and offered an amended version she called clearer for landowners, hunters and enforcement officials. "I was not familiar with the section of code we're gonna look at...it was Greek," she said, adding the amendment would replace the original bill with clearer language (Representative Cynthia Schreiberbeck, State Representative, District 25).

The bill and its adopted amendment (25.13030.01001) clarify when a landowner or a person with written permission may drive on privately held land while hunting and narrow uncertainty around prosecution of off‑trail driving. Supporter Mike Svalison, who described himself as a private landowner and lifelong hunter, said the current code is difficult to read and that law enforcement and game wardens get many calls "and they find them difficult to follow‑up on and...decipher." He said the amendment aims to "support private property rights and use" and to strengthen hunter–landowner relationships.

Chief Scott Winkelman, chief game warden for North Dakota Game and Fish, told the committee the agency is neutral on the bill but explained how the change would operate in practice. He said the amendment would allow a landowner during any season to authorize individuals to drive off an established trail while hunting, except as limited elsewhere in law. "Current law allows a landowner to give permission [for] small game hunting. This bill...would essentially allow a landowner to give themselves...permission or anyone they choose to to drive off an established trail while hunting anything during any season," he said.

Committee members pressed on specific cases. Representative Conmey asked whether the bill’s exception applied to waterfowl and cranes; supporters clarified the existing code treats those species differently during certain seasons. Representative Marshall raised an accessibility question about off‑road wheelchairs and people with disabilities; Chief Winkelman said the bill would not narrow existing handicap permit provisions and might make driving off trail easier for some disabled hunters if they have landowner permission.

Supporters and backers said the amendment preserves current prohibitions that apply when land is posted against trespass and does not expand unauthorized access. The sponsor and the committee ultimately adopted Representative Schreiberbeck’s amendment and later voted to pass House Bill 15‑98 as amended. The committee also placed the bill on the consent calendar for floor consideration and noted Representative Ruby would carry the bill to the House floor.

The bill proceeds to the House with the committee recommendation after a roll‑call vote on passage as amended.

The committee hearing on the bill included public testimony from hunters, landowners and the chief game warden; no law change beyond the adopted amendment was enacted at the hearing itself. The committee voted to advance the amended bill to the House floor.