DRC WEEKLY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

JANUARY 5, 2007

BILLS HEARD IN THE PAST WEEK:

• HB 2099: (Agriculture Committee) This bill would permit the processing of Industrial hemp for commercial purposes. The Senate Agriculture Committee did not take action on this bill. DRC is monitoring HB 2099.
• HB 1028: (Legislative Council at the request of the Electric Industry Competition Committee) This bill would create an Energy Development and Transmission Committee, the function of which would be to study every facet of the state’s energy industry and make recommendations relating to policy. The House Government and Veterans Affairs Committee recommended a Do Pass on this bill. DRC is monitoring this bill
• HB 1060: (Natural Resources Committee at the request of the Industrial Commission), Would allow for addition sources of funding for the removal of abandoned oil and gas equipment and would create a geothermal, subsurface mineral and coal exploration fund. The House Natural Resources Committee did not take action on this bill. DRC is monitoring this bill.

BILLS TO BE HEARD IN THE COMING WEEK:

• HB 1072: (Finance and Taxation Committee at the request of the Tax Commissioner) This is a housekeeping bill that would change how wind turbines are assessed for taxes. DRC is monitoring this bill. Finance and Taxation, Ft. Totten Room, January 8, 9:30 a.m.
• HB 1073: (Finance and Taxation at the request of the Tax Commissioner) This would exempt pipelines carrying carbon dioxide from taxation. DRC is monitoring this bill. House Finance and Taxation, Ft. Totten Room, January 8, 9:30 a.m
• HB 1044: (Reps. Drovdal, Grande and Kempenich and Sens. Lyson and Warner). This bill would direct a larger portion of oil and gas revenues to oil and gas counties. House Finance and Taxation, Ft. Totten Room, January 10, 9 a.m. DRC is monitoring this bill.
• HB 1124: (Agriculture Committee at the request of the State Seed Commission). Relieves the state from liability regarding the various qualities of seed and seed potatoes, including genetic identity, but not the vendor. DRC is monitoring this bill. House Agriculture Committee, Peace Garden Room, Friday January 12, 9:30 a.m.
• HB 1127: (Government and Veterans Affairs Committee at the request of the Industrial Commission). Would make it possible for parties to request confidentiality regarding access to records relating to the Transmission Authority. DRC is monitoring this bill. House Government and Veterans Affairs Committee, Fort Union Room, Thursday January 11, 9 a.m.
• SB 2087: (Transportation Committee, at the request of the Tax Commissioner). This bill would define “E-85 fuel” and “biodiesel” in the century code for tax purposes. DRC is monitoring this bill. Senate Transportation, Lewis and Clark Room, Thursday, January 11, 9 a.m.
• SB 2128: (Agriculture Committee at the request of the State Seed Commission). This bill would take away the requirement for procedures for state inspection, analysis and verification relating to the identity of seeds and crops. DRC monitoring this bill. Senate Agriculture Committee, Roosevelt Park Room, Friday, January 12, 8:30 a.m.
  

BILLS INTRODUCED BUT NO HEARINGS YET SCHEDULED:

• HB 1099: (Industry, Business and Labor Committee at the request of the State Board of Higher Education). This bill would define two existing provisions in state law regarding proprietary information. This bill comes on the heels of an attorney general’s opinion, requested by DRC, that determined that the NDSU research foundation’s records dealing with its contracts with Monsanto are public record. DRC is tracking this bill.
• HB 1014: (Appropriations Committee at the request of the Governor). This bill would provide an appropriation to the biofuels partnership to assist community expansion. DRC is monitoring this bill.
• HB 1115: (Representative Mueller). This bill would create a biomass energy center led by NDSU. DRC is monitoring this bill.
• HB 1121: (Transportation Committee, at the request of the State Department of Health). This bill would add “biodiesel” and “alternative fuels” to definitions and labeling requirements in the state century code for the purposes of retail sale. DRC is monitoring this bill.
• HB 1128:(Government and Veterans Affairs Committee at the request of the Industrial Commission). This bill would create a North Dakota Pipeline Authority, similar to the Transmission Authority that was created in the last session. DRC has not yet taken a position on this bill.