23.0730.01000
Sixty-eighth
Legislative Assembly HOUSE BILL NO. 1258
of North Dakota
Introduced by
Representatives Conmy, D. Anderson, Murphy, Rios, Vetter
Senator Mathern
1 A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new section to chapter 4.1-01 of the North Dakota
2 Century Code, relating to the protection of native pollinating insects in the state; to provide a
3 report; to provide an appropriation; and to provide an expiration date.
4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF NORTH DAKOTA:
5 SECTION 1. A new section to chapter 4.1-01 of the North Dakota Century Code is created
6 and enacted as follows:
7 Pollinator health - Report.
8 1. The commissioner shall study the challenges associated with native pollinating
9 insects, including their decline, associated ecosystems, health, and resilience.
10 2. The study must:
11 a. Identify the significance of healthy native pollinating insect communities and the
12 role of native pollinating insects in supporting health ecosystems and human
13 well-being;
14 b. Summarize knowledge regarding native pollinator health; and
15 c. Identify:
16 (1) Factors negatively affecting native pollinating insect communities;
17 (2) Existing projects, public-private partnerships, and funding opportunities in
18 the state for native pollinating insect conservation;
19 (3) Any gaps in knowledge regarding native pollinating insect health, including
20 wild bee distributions and population dynamics, native pollinator species at
21 risk of decline, and best practices for state land managers to incentivize the
22 creation and protection of healthy and diverse pollinator communities; and
23 (4) Opportunities for:
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Legislative Assembly
1 (a) Protection and recovery efforts through the development of programs
2 that mitigate factors negatively affecting native pollinating insect
3 communities; and
4 (b) The development of ecological state land management practices that
5 restore habitat functionality and provide natural climate solutions.
6 3. By June 1, 2026, the commissioner shall provide a report to the legislative
7 management of all findings and recommendations and any bill drafts necessary to
8 implement the recommendations, including how to:
9 a. Develop an education and outreach program to raise awareness and public
10 engagement and incentivize action to benefit native pollinating insect health;
11 b. Engage and work across state agencies when developing and implementing
12 policies and practices regarding native pollinating insects; and
13 c. Protect native pollinating insects.
14 4. In conducting the study, the commissioner shall consult:
15 a. Federal agencies, including the United States fish and wildlife service and the
16 forest service;
17 b. Independent scientists and experts with expertise in pollinator health, climate
18 change, ecological processes and resilience, biodiversity, native plants, and
19 ecological land management; and
20 c. Other state agencies, including the department of transportation, the department
21 of environmental equality, and the department of health and human services.
22 SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION - AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER - POLLINATOR
23 STUDY. There is appropriated out of any moneys in the general fund in the state treasury, not
24 otherwise appropriated, the sum of $25,000, or so much of the sum as may be necessary, to the
25 agriculture commissioner for the purpose of completing the pollinator study under section 1 of
26 this Act or contracting with a private entity to complete the study, for the biennium beginning
27 July 1, 2023, and ending June 30, 2025.
28 SECTION 3. EXPIRATION DATE. Section 1 of this Act is effective through July 31, 2026,
29 and after that date is ineffective.
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