HB 1353 Summary

• Establishes a new Department of Water Resources as the primary state water agency, with a director appointed by the governor subject to state water commission approval.

• Creates the position of state engineer as a hired professional under the department director, requiring professional engineering credentials and hydrology experience.

• Transfers all regulatory powers and duties previously held by the state engineer to the director and the Department of Water Resources across water appropriations, dam safety, drainage permits, and wetlands management.

• Repeals sections 61-03-01, 61-03-02, and 61-03-05.1 relating to the former state engineer position and water use fund structure.

• Makes corresponding amendments to over 100 statutory references throughout North Dakota Century Code to replace "state engineer" with "director of the department of water resources."