Senate OKs bill over annexing land

Cities and rural water districts will have to negotiate any annexing issues before receiving state funding to expand or bring water projects to fruition.

Rep. Curt Hofstad, R-Devils Lake, said the House Bill 1440 is “a solution to a problem that has been growing.”

The bill was sent to the Senate with a 83-10 vote.

The issue stems from city populations that continue to increase as a result of the oil boom. As cities grow, they require more land and water resources, most of which is managed by local rural water districts that are reluctant to negotiate because they are protected by federal law, Hofstad said.

The bill requires a city to give notice to a rural water district of its intent to annex land and requires mediation between party arbitrators to create an agreement before moving forward.

Tags: north dakota legislature, news