ND HB1318

Creates chapter 61-24.8 of North Dakota Century Code to authorize the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District to create special assessment districts for irrigation works and issue improvement bonds.

Allows the district to acquire property and finance irrigation project construction, operation, and maintenance through special assessments apportioned to landowners based on direct benefits received.

Establishes procedures for project approval including engineer reports, public hearings, landowner voting (one vote per dollar of assessment), and state engineer appeals of assessments.

Permits the district to issue revenue bonds and improvement bonds to finance projects, with bonds payable over up to 30 years and bearing interest not exceeding 12 percent per annum for private sales.

Amends section 54-35-02.7 to change the water-related topics overview committee to focus on Garrison diversion project oversight after November 30, 2013, and expires the new irrigation financing provisions on July 31, 2013.