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SB 2368

AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 4.1-01 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a grasslands grazing grant program.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Keith Kempenich and 3 co-sponsors

North Dakota establishes a Grasslands Grazing Grant Program to fund grazing associations’ projects on national grasslands, with a 25% match and help securing federal permits.

Filed with Secretary Of State 03/25
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Bill Summary · SB 2368

SB 2368 — Grasslands Grazing Grant Program (North Dakota)

Overview / Purpose

SB 2368 creates a new section in chapter 4.1‑01 of the North Dakota Century Code establishing a Grasslands Grazing Grant Program. The stated purpose is to support cooperative grazing associations’ infrastructure and conservation projects on national grasslands within North Dakota, improving grassland health, wildlife habitat, and carbon capture while helping participants comply with federal permitting requirements.

Key provisions

  • Administration: The Agriculture Commissioner administers the program.
  • Grant recipients: Grants are awarded to organizations that represent cooperative grazing associations in the state. Recipient organizations may re‑distribute funds to individual cooperative grazing associations for eligible projects.
  • Eligible project locations: Projects must be located on national grasslands within North Dakota.
  • Eligible projects include (non‑exhaustive list):
    • Water development (e.g., wells, water distribution)
    • Fencing
    • Conservation initiatives
    • Compliance with federal permitting requirements, including fees for professional services
    • Other projects that enhance wildlife habitat, capture carbon, or increase grassland health
  • Grazing land plan: Program participants must develop and implement a grazing land plan that complies with local soil conservation district guidance and obtain approval of the plan from the local soil conservation district.
  • Matching requirement: To be eligible, an organization must provide $1 of matching funds from non‑state sources for every $4 of grant funding (i.e., match = 25% of the grant; grant would fund up to 80% of project costs assuming match equals 20% of total project cost).
  • Rulemaking/guidelines: The Agriculture Commissioner is authorized to establish additional program guidelines.

Who is affected

  • Cooperative grazing associations and organizations representing them (primary beneficiaries).
  • National grasslands within North Dakota (project sites).
  • Local soil conservation districts (plan review/approval role).
  • The Agriculture Commissioner and the Department of Agriculture (program administration).
  • Contractors, consultants, and service providers engaged for permitted work.

Implementation details & limitations

  • The bill sets program structure and eligibility but does not specify a funding source, appropriation amount, or per‑grant maximum. Program implementation depends on available appropriations or other funding mechanisms established later by the Legislature or the commissioner.
  • Projects are restricted to national grasslands within the state; private or state grasslands are not included under the bill text as drafted.
  • Compliance with federal permitting is explicitly eligible, including paying for professional services to meet permit requirements.

Procedural status / Timeline

  • Introduced: March 12, 2025
  • Enacted: Signed by the Governor (record shows signature June 20, 2025)
  • Effective date: September 1, 2025
  • Statutory placement: New section added to chapter 4.1‑01, North Dakota Century Code

Related bills

  • HB 131 (companion)
  • HB 4378 (companion)

Potential impacts (summary)

  • Positive: Provides targeted financial support to cooperative grazing associations for infrastructure and conservation actions on national grasslands, likely increasing capacity to manage grazing, improve habitat, and meet federal permitting obligations.
  • Constraints: Practical impact depends on appropriations and administrative guidance; the 1:4 matching requirement reduces but does not eliminate local cost responsibilities; geographic limitation to national grasslands excludes other grazing lands.

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

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