This bill amends and reenacts several sections of the North Dakota Century Code related to environmental impact funds and introduces new provisions regarding conservation easements and leaseholds. Notably, it establishes a federal environmental law impact review fund and an environmental impact mitigation fund, both of which will now include interest and investment earnings as part of their financial resources. The bill allows the state treasurer to invest moneys in these funds and specifies that the environmental impact mitigation fund can be used for purchasing and maintaining easements or leaseholds, in addition to existing uses such as consulting with environmental experts and habitat restoration.

Furthermore, the bill creates a new section that empowers the commissioner to purchase and hold conservation easements or leaseholds on behalf of the state, with the authority to terminate them when they are no longer necessary. It also clarifies the process for applicants to provide payments to mitigate environmental impacts from energy conversion and transmission facilities, ensuring these payments are directed to the environmental impact mitigation fund. The bill is declared an emergency measure, indicating its urgent need for implementation.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 4.1-01-21, 4.1-01-21.1
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Representative Porter: 4.1-01-21, 4.1-01-21.1, 49-22-09.2
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 4.1-01-21, 4.1-01-21.1, 49-22-09.2
Enrollment: 4.1-01-21, 4.1-01-21.1, 49-22-09.2