Bill
HB 1147
Updates the official schedule of hunting, fishing, and related license and permit fees, with revenues credited to the game and fish fund and dedicated programs.
Title: An Act to amend and reenact section 20.1‑03‑12 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to fees for game and fish licenses and permits
Status / timeline
- Introduced: (Filed with the House) Nov. 12, 2024.
- Sponsors: Representatives D. Johnston, Brandenburg, Kasper, Marschall, Nehring, M. Ruby, Tveit; Senators Clemens, Paulson.
- Filed with Secretary of State: March 24, 2025.
- Subject matter: updates and re‑enacts the statutory schedule of fees for hunting, fishing, boat registration, and related permits (NDCC § 20.1‑03‑12).
Purpose and intent
- To establish (update and reenact) the official schedule of fees charged by the Department of Game and Fish for licenses and permits, and to specify how collected fees are credited in state accounts. The schedule sets resident and nonresident rates for a wide range of licenses, stamps, tags and commercial permits.
Key provisions and notable fee items
- General deposit rule: fees collected under the section are deposited with the State Treasurer and credited to the game and fish fund. Aquatic nuisance species fees are credited to the aquatic nuisance species program fund.
- Private land initiative: $45 of each nonresident big‑game hunting license fee is dedicated to the private land initiative.
- Selected license fees (representative, not exhaustive):
- Resident small game hunting license (age 16+): $10.
- Nonresident small game hunting license: $100.
- Resident big‑game hunting license: $30 (reduced to $10 for under‑16 licensees as specified).
- Nonresident big‑game and nonresident bow license: $250 (with a $5 nonrefundable application fee for lottery licenses).
- Resident fishing license: $16 (reduced to $5 for residents 65+, permanently disabled, or qualified disabled veterans).
- Nonresident fishing license: $45.
- Resident husband & wife fishing: $22; nonresident husband & wife fishing: $60.
- Motorboat certificate of number / registration by length: under 16 ft (including canoes with motors): $18; 16–<20 ft: $36; 20+ ft: $45.
- Commercial/other: nonresident commercial clam license $1,000; commercial clam dealer’s permit $2,000 plus a $2,000 surety bond; combination license $50; nonresident waterfowl license $100; statewide nonresident waterfowl license $150.
- Many additional specific permit and license fees — scientific collection permits, taxidermy, frog/commercial frog licenses, paddlefish tags, minnow dealer licenses, shooting preserve permits, various short‑term nonresident licenses, etc. — are enumerated in the bill.
Who is affected
- Recreational hunters, anglers, boat owners and related license purchasers (residents and nonresidents).
- Commercial operators and vendors (e.g., clam harvesters/dealers, bait wholesalers/retailers, taxidermists, outfitters/guides).
- The Department of Game and Fish (administration and collection), and state funds (game and fish fund; aquatic nuisance species program fund). Landowners benefit indirectly via the private land initiative funding.
Fiscal and policy impact
- Fees provide revenue to the game and fish fund (and a small dedicated portion to the private land initiative), and aquatic nuisance species fees to their dedicated fund. The bill itself specifies amounts; the net fiscal impact depends on license sales volume and any changes relative to the prior statutory schedule.
Practical notes
- This is a statutory re‑enactment/adjustment of the fee schedule (a detailed listing in § 20.1‑03‑12). Readers seeking a complete list should consult the bill text for the full, itemized fee schedule.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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