AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 61-02 of the North Dakota... explained: HB 1218 | Vote Impact

StateNorth DakotaIntroduced

HB 1218: AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 61-02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a temporary moratorium on conducting an economic analysis for assessment drain projects; to amend and reenact section 61-02-01.3 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to comprehensive water development plans; to provide for a legislative management study; and to provide an expiration date.

Cindy Schreiber-Beck

Source

OpenStates

Confidence

Low

Analysis basis

OpenStates summary

01

What this bill does

Official summary alongside an AI-generated read on where it stands and why.

Overall Score

48OUT OF 100

Score:48/100 civic fit

Risk:Moderate Risk

Impact:Moderate Impact 40/100

Constitutionality85%

Bipartisan50%

Public opinion50%

Bill summary

Relating to a temporary moratorium on conducting an economic analysis for assessment drain projects; to amend and reenact section 61‑02‑01.3 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to comprehensive water development plans; to provide for a legislative management study; and to provide an expiration date.

02

Impact analysis

✦ AI analysis

Modeled effects across six domains, estimated from bill text and comparable legislation.

Environment

Mixed / Neutral

45%

Benefits

Updated comprehensive water development plans
Legislative review of existing water policy
Potential for improved statewide coordination

Risks

Reduced environmental oversight for drainage projects
Bypassing data-driven analysis of water flows
Potential negative impact on wetland conservation

Economy

Mixed / Neutral

45%

Benefits

Reduced immediate compliance costs for projects
Streamlining of administrative processes
Potential for expedited water project approval

Risks

Potential for inefficient allocation of project funds
Unchecked cost of assessment drain projects
Increased financial risk to local stakeholders

Society

Mixed / Neutral

50%

Benefits

Increased focus on long-term community planning
Legislative management study increases awareness
Public involvement in the legislative process

Risks

Potential for reduced protection for rural landowners
Uncertainty about drainage project outcomes
Limited public input during the moratorium period

Technology Industry

No direct effect

Neutral — no direct effect identified.

Benefits

No material direct effect identified.

Risks

No material direct effect identified.

Civic Accountability

Mixed / Neutral

55%

Benefits

Mandated legislative management study
Requirement to revisit comprehensive plans
明确 (Clear) legal framework for the moratorium

Risks

Reduced transparency during the moratorium
Limited external validation of drain project impacts
Concentration of authority in current policy review

Public Health & Safety

Mixed / Neutral

45%

Benefits

Improved comprehensive water development plans
Legislative focus on water infrastructure safety
Potential for better long-term mitigation strategies

Risks

Reduced analysis of flooding risks
Potential to overlook safety implications of drains
Delayed assessment of dangerous drainage outcomes

03

How trustworthy & consequential it is

Sourcing already shown above, this is what the analysis found worth flagging.

Source
OpenStates
Official bill text or data from OpenStates.
Confidence
Low
Information is limited or incomplete.
Analysis basis
OpenStates summary
Source used for this bill's analysis.

Source note

The moratorium removes a standard fiscal/environmental check on drainage projects.

Analysis scope

Source provided is an abstract; details on study scope are missing.

04

Where it stands

Official record

IntroducedCurrent
CommitteeUpcoming
Chamber votesUpcoming
Final agreementUpcoming
GovernorUpcoming
EnactedUpcoming

05

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06

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