North DakotaNorth Dakota funds a consultant study of irrigation expansion
The agriculture commissioner has one-time funding for a statewide irrigation study and must report its findings and recommendations to the legislative management by July 2026.
What it does
The agriculture commissioner can spend up to $75,000 on a consultant’s study of irrigation expansion across North Dakota, including possible economic effects and water systems.
The commissioner must share the study’s findings and recommendations with the legislative management, along with any proposed laws needed to carry them out.
Argument forThe study could help lawmakers compare irrigation’s possible economic effects before deciding whether to support more water systems.
Argument againstThe one-time study could use public money without paying to build irrigation systems, leaving construction decisions and costs for later.
More detail
The law provides up to $75,000 for the agriculture commissioner to hire a consultant for an irrigation study. The study covers possible irrigation expansion across North Dakota, including potential economic effects in rural communities and comparisons of land and water management systems. The commissioner may use only as much of the $75,000 as needed. The commissioner is exempt from state purchasing rules when hiring services for the study. The one-time funding covers the period from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027.
The agriculture commissioner must present the study’s findings and recommendations to the legislative management. The report covers the study of possible irrigation expansion throughout North Dakota. The commissioner must include any proposed legislation needed to carry out the recommendations. The commissioner must present the report before July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2025
- Apr 25Filed with Secretary Of State 04/23Latest
- Apr 24Signed by Governor Kelly Armstrong 04/23Became Law
- Apr 22Sent to GovernorTo Governor
- Apr 22Signed by Speaker
- Apr 21Signed by President
- Apr 17Second reading, passed, yeas 83 nays 9Major
- Vote recorded Motion for Final Passage on HB 1531. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 17Concurred
- Apr 9Returned to House (12)
- Apr 8Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 45 nays 1Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Motion for Final Passage on HB 1531. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 3Reported back, do pass, place on calendar 16 0 0Minor
- Mar 31Committee Hearing 11:00
- Mar 25Rereferred to Appropriations
- Mar 25Amendment adopted
- Mar 24Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 6 0 0Minor
- Mar 20Committee Hearing 03:15
- Mar 7Introduced, first reading, referred Agriculture and Veterans Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Feb 25Received from House
- Feb 24Second reading, passed, yeas 85 nays 8Passed House
- Vote recorded Motion for Final Passage on HB 1531. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 21Laid over one legislative day
- Feb 20Reported back, do pass, place on calendar 13 0 1Minor
- Jan 30Committee Hearing 10:30
- Jan 20Introduced, first reading, referred Agriculture CommitteeIntroduced
AgricultureTaxes & Budget