North Dakota Legislative Session - Outdoor Legislation

Would not prohibit the use of firearms between .22-caliber and .50-caliber when hunting big game on private land. Withdrawn from consideration.

Certified hunter education instructors would be issued a license to hunt any legal deer during the deer gun season. In addition, hunter ed instructors who have taught for the preceding five years would be issued one bighorn sheep, elk or moose license. Failed senate.

An individual over the age of 75 may use a crossbow during the bow season. Failed senate.

A resident disabled veteran who has a 100% service-connected disability is entitled to receive an additional bonus point when applying for a deer license issued by lottery. Passed senate. Failed house.

Allows the use of an artificial light with a power source of not more than six volts while hunting furbearer, ground squirrel, prairie dog, porcupine, rabbit or skunk, excluding the regular deer gun season. Passed senate. Failed house.

A waterfowl habitat restoration electronic stamp is required for every resident and nonresident to hunt waterfowl at a fee of $5. In addition, creates a waterfowl habitat improvement fund for improving and restoring waterfowl habitat and supporting youth hunting programs. Passed senate. Passed house. Signed by governor.

Allows the hunting of waterfowl from a floating craft without a motor propelled exclusively by paddle, oars or pole; or with a motor if the craft is at rest and the motor has been turned off. Passed senate. Passed house. Signed by governor.

Nonprofit organzations eligible to receive special allocation big game hunting licenses would also include those eligible organizations exempt from federal income taxation under section 501(c)(19). Current law states those under section 501(c)(3) are eligible to receive no more than two elk, two moose, two pronghorn and 10 white-tailed deer licenses. Failed senate.

Certified game and fish volunteer instructors who have maintained active status in the state for 30 years are eligible to receive complimentary fishing and certain hunting licenses. Emergency clause. Signed by governor.

When an owner or lessor of land in the state, the state owes a duty of reasonable care to keep the premises safe for entry or use by others for recreational purposes, regardless of the location and nature of the recreational purposes and whether the entry or use by others is for recreational purposes or is directly derived from the recreational purposes of others, and warn of a dangerous condition, use, structure, or activity on the land to persons entering for recreational purposes. Withdrawn from consideration.

Allows the statewide antlerless white-tailed youth deer license to be issued as an antlerless license through governor's proclamation. Passed senate. Passed house. Signed by governor.

During the 2023-24 interim, legislative management shall consider studying the laws governing the Game and Fish Department and the possibility of implementing an appointed game and fish commission to supervise the department. Failed senate.

Provides clarity to the motorboat numbering exemptions section of the North Dakota Century Code. Signed by governor.

Appropriates $83,803,632 to the Game and Fish Department for the biennium beginning July 1, 2019, and ending June 30, 2021.

Defines the terms "firearm" or "weapon" and clarifies who can carry, including a minor under age 15 carrying a muzzleloader under direct supervision.

Grants provided by the Outdoor Heritage Fund would no longer give preference to those that enhanced conservation practices, and adds a requirement that ensures a geographical balance of members is maintained.

Allows Game and Fish to get approval from either the legislative assembly or budget section for each land acquisition of at least 10 acres or $10,000. Vetoed by governor. Senate passed over veto. House passed over veto. Filed by secretary of state.

Would have allowed a hunter of at least 65 years of age to use a crossbow during any bow hunting season. Failed senate.

Amends the North Dakota Century Code relating to the outdoor heritage fund, whereas grant applications that are eligible to be forwarded to the industrial commission must receive a favorable recommendation from a majority of the outdoor heritage advisory board members.

Allows advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants, in addition to a physician, to verify the physical condition necessary for individuals to qualify for a shoot from a stationary motor vehicle permit.

Would have allowed an individual to use an airbow during any deer gun season. Failed senate.

Amends the tax department's section of the century code relating to gross receipts, specifically that gross receipts does not include the amount of compensation received from an insurance company for the loss of a stolen or destroyed watercraft that had been previously taxed if that compensation is used as a trade-in credit on the purchase of a replacement watercraft. The trade-in credit is not included in the gross receipts of the retailer.

Would allow a live bait wholesaler or vendor to transport into the state and sell live white suckers to be used as bait in the Red River. 

Allows a nonresident to purchase a waterfowl license that is valid for three four-day periods for $200, and $50 of the fee must be used for the Private Land Open To Sportsmen program. Passed senate. Failed house.

Would require an individual to receive permission from the landowner to hunt, trap or pursue game on private land. Currently permission must be received if the land is posted. Failed senate.

An honorably discharged veteran who must obtain a certificate of completion for a hunter education course may obtain the certificate by completing four hours of online instruction on hunter safety approved by the director. Failed senate.

A nonresident age 65 or older is entitled to purchase up to two nonresident waterfowl hunting licenses per year, with $100 of the fee for the nonresident's second license must be used for the private land open to sportsmen program. The second license would cost $150. Failed senate.

The director shall issue six deer licenses and four spring wild turkey licenses to veterans residing in North Dakota who are selected by a nonprofit organization. Failed senate.

Defines open records laws/exemptions of animal tracking data bases for animal health purposes, including state and federal agencies would be able to collect information to assist in animal disease control or tracing an animal disease. Declared an emergency measure.

Repeals the annual inspection of all watercraft used for hire. Includes emergency clause.