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Bill

HCR 3009

A concurrent resolution urging the federal government to take actions to enact trade policy that supports business and workers of the United States while penalizing global polluters.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Jason Dockter and 7 co-sponsors

North Dakota urges federal government to adopt trade policies protecting U.S. businesses and workers while imposing penalties on environmentally poor-performing nations.

Filed with Secretary Of State 03/21
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Bill Summary · HCR 3009

Legislative bill overview

HCR 3009 is a concurrent resolution from North Dakota that calls on the federal government to develop trade policies designed to protect American businesses and workers while implementing tariffs or penalties on countries with poor environmental records. As a concurrent resolution, it expresses the state legislature's position to Congress and the Executive Branch rather than creating binding state law.

Why is this important

This resolution reflects growing state-level interest in linking trade policy to environmental standards and labor protections. It signals North Dakota's legislative priorities to federal policymakers and could influence how the state advocates for specific trade agreements or tariff structures that affect its agricultural and industrial sectors.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition ambiguity: The resolution doesn't specify which nations qualify as "global polluters" or what environmental standards should trigger trade penalties, leaving implementation details unclear
  • Trade law complexity: Unilateral environmental tariffs could violate World Trade Organization agreements and provoke retaliatory trade actions that harm U.S. exporters, including North Dakota farmers
  • Economic trade-offs: Penalizing trading partners through tariffs may increase costs for American consumers and businesses reliant on imported goods, potentially offsetting worker protections
  • Federal authority scope: A state resolution cannot directly mandate federal trade policy, limiting its binding power despite bipartisan sponsorship

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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