An Act providing for criteria for independent contractors in the traveling sales industry and for the powers and duties of the Department of Labor and Industry; and imposing penalties.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Danilo Burgos and 7 co-sponsors

Allows ND DOT to partner with the federal government to build and place a bridge over Oahe Reservoir and either own or place it on the state highway system.

Referred to Labor & Industry

Summary — HB 1056 (North Dakota) — Oahe bridge development

An act to amend and reenact section 24‑02‑02.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, authorizing the Department of Transportation director to enter into an agreement with the federal government for construction of a bridge across Oahe Reservoir and to accept ownership/placement of the bridge and connecting roadway onto the state highway system.

Main purpose

To authorize and clarify the State’s ability to (1) enter an agreement with the federal government for construction of a bridge over Oahe Reservoir and (2) accept ownership of — or place onto the state highway system — the completed bridge and its connecting roadway. The bill also contains an indemnification term limiting the federal government’s liability for construction, operation, and maintenance damages except where those damages result from the fault or negligence of the United States or its contractors.

Key provisions

Amends NDCC § 24‑02‑02.1 to explicitly authorize the DOT director to:

Execute an agreement with the federal government for construction of a bridge over the Oahe Reservoir.
Accept ownership of, or place onto the state highway system, a bridge and connecting roadway across the reservoir.

The department (through the director) agrees to hold the United States harmless and free from damages resulting from construction, operation, or maintenance of the bridge — except where damages are caused by the fault or negligence of the U.S. or its contractors.

Who is affected

North Dakota Department of Transportation (DOT) and its director — vested with execution, acceptance, and ownership authority.

State of North Dakota — potential new ownership, operation, maintenance responsibilities, and related liability exposure.

Federal government (likely U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or other federal partner) — benefits from a state indemnity except for federal fault.

Local users and communities served by the Oahe crossing — potential long‑term infrastructure and connectivity impacts.

State budget/finance — possible capital, operating, and liability cost implications (not quantified in the bill text).

Fiscal/implementation considerations

The bill does not appropriate construction or maintenance funds. If the state accepts ownership, future maintenance, operations, and liability costs may fall to the state and would need budgetary planning or a negotiated cost‑sharing arrangement with federal partners.

The indemnification clause shifts risk to the State for non‑federal negligence claims arising from construction/operation/maintenance; potential legal/insurance implications should be assessed before final agreements.

Legislative timeline & status

Introduced: November 12, 2024.

Passed House and Senate (House vote: 93–0; Senate vote: 45–2).

Enrolled and transmitted; signed by the Governor: June 22, 2025. (Enrollment record notes “See remarks for effective date” — consult the enacted statute or session laws for the act’s precise effective date.)

For implementation details (funding, cost estimates, or the specific federal partner), consult the North Dakota DOT, the enrolled act / session law for any additional remarks, and any accompanying fiscal or project‑specific documents produced by DOT or the Office of Management and Budget.