North Dakota legislation · 69th Legislative Assembly
North Dakota SB2339: AN ACT to create and enact a new chapter to title 49 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to strict liability and a wildfire mitigation plan of a qualified utility; and to provide for a report.
Status: Signed into law, April 26, 2025
Relating to strict liability and a wildfire mitigation plan of a qualified utility; and to provide for a report.
What the bill says
An act to create and enact a new chapter to title 49 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to strict liability and a wildfire mitigation plan of a qualified utility; and to provide for a report.
From the enrolled text, April 23, 2025:
AN ACT to create and enact a new chapter to title 49 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to strict liability and a wildfire mitigation plan of a qualified utility; and to provide for a report. SECTION 1. A new chapter to title 49 of the North Dakota Century Code is created and enacted as follows: Definitions. As used in this chapter: 1. "Hazardous vegetation" means plants, such as trees, shrubs, and grass, which are dry, diseased, dead, or in close proximity to power lines and could come into contact with power lines, especially in dry and windy conditions, and lead to electrical faults or wildfires. 2. "Qualified utility" means an electric public utility, rural electric cooperative, municipal electric utility, municipal joint action agency, or electric transmission provider as defined in section 49 - 03 - 01.5 . 3. "Wildfire mitigation plan" means a plan submitted to the commission or the qualified utility's board of directors in accordance with this chapter. Limitation on strict liability standard for a qualified utility. A court may not apply a standard of strict liability to a qualified utility in any cause of action alleging the qualified utility caused wildfire related damages. Wildfire mitigation plan. 1. A qualified utility may prepare a wildfire mitigation plan in accordance with this chapter. 2. A wildfire mitigation …
Sponsors
- Greg Kessel (R, 39) · primary sponsor
- Brad Bekkedahl (R, 1)
- Anna Novak (R, 33)
- Jeremy Olson (R, 26)
- Dale Patten (R, 26)
- Todd Porter (R, 34)
Latest actions
- : Filed with Secretary Of State 04/25
- : Signed by Governor 04/24
- : Sent to Governor
- : Signed by President
- : Signed by Speaker
- : Second reading, passed, yeas 46 nays 1
- : Concurred
- : Returned to Senate (12)
- : Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 62 nays 28
- : Reconsidered
Votes
- Final Passage (April 21, 2025): 46 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Final Passage (April 18, 2025): 62 yea, 28 nay, passed
- Final Passage (April 17, 2025): 45 yea, 46 nay, failed
- Final Passage (February 11, 2025): 45 yea, 1 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is SB2339?
- SB2339 is a bill in the North Dakota Legislature (69th Legislative Assembly): AN ACT to create and enact a new chapter to title 49 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to strict liability and a wildfire mitigation plan of a qualified utility; and to provide for a report.
- What does SB2339 do?
- In its own words: An act to create and enact a new chapter to title 49 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to strict liability and a wildfire mitigation plan of a qualified utility; and to provide for a report.
- What is the status of SB2339?
- Signed into law as of April 26, 2025. Latest action: Filed with Secretary Of State 04/25 (April 26, 2025).
- Who sponsored SB2339?
- Greg Kessel (R, 39), with 5 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB2339?
- On the North Dakota Legislature website: https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/bill-overview/bo2339.html
Source: official North Dakota record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.