ND HB1592

Updates North Dakota's lignite industry statistics to reflect current production levels: 25 million tons annually (down from 30 million), 12,000 jobs (down from 28,000), $6 billion annual business volume (down from $3 billion), and $100 million in annual tax revenue

Codifies the lignite research council structure with 24 governor-appointed members and 2 legislative members, representing lignite processing, mining, research, state agencies, transmission interests, landowners, workforce, political subdivisions, and Native American tribes

Requires the industrial commission to engage in "regular and substantive consultation" with the lignite research council, including scheduled grant meetings, formal written recommendations, and policy review opportunities

Authorizes program funding to retain a technical advisor for project evaluation, research coordination, and industry engagement as determined necessary by the council

Strengthens public record exemptions for trade secrets and proprietary information submitted to the commission, and explicitly exempts identities of technical reviewers and council members making recommendations from public disclosure