Senate Bill No. 2274 Summary

• Transfers all powers and duties over the southwest pipeline project from the state water commission to the southwest water authority and repeals chapter 61-24.3.

• Appropriates $65,000,000 from the resources trust fund to the southwest water authority for construction, operation, and maintenance of the southwest pipeline project for the biennium beginning July 1, 2013, and ending June 30, 2015.

• Requires preference for North Dakota resident pipeline manufacturers and bidders for labor and services on contracts if their bids do not exceed nonresident bids by more than 5 percent, with exceptions for federal funds and professional services.

• Authorizes the southwest water authority to establish water rates, employ staff, fix water rates including operation and maintenance costs plus capital costs, and create a reserve fund for replacement and extraordinary maintenance.

• Allows utilities and other entities to install pipelines crossing the southwest pipeline project only with authority approval and under conditions imposed by the authority.