ND HB1385

Amends Section 61-02-24 of the North Dakota Century Code to authorize the state water commission to cooperate and contract with federally recognized Indian tribes, their agencies, departments, and officers regarding water investigation, planning, conservation, and development.

Modifies Section 61-02-24.1 to explicitly include federally recognized Indian tribes alongside political subdivisions (counties, townships, cities, park districts, and water resource districts) as entities authorized to participate in water surveys, development, construction, and maintenance projects.

Permits federally recognized Indian tribes to enter into contracts with the state water commission to pay rents, charges, or other payments for use of the commission's water works.

Passed with overwhelming bipartisan support: 93-0 in the House and 47-0 in the Senate.