North Dakota Century Code Title 54. State Government § 54-35-02.7. Water topics overview committee--Powers and duties

1. The legislative management, during each biennium, shall appoint a water topics overview committee in the same manner as the legislative management appoints other interim committees. The committee must meet quarterly during the interim and is responsible for legislative overview of water topics and related matters, the Garrison diversion project, and for any necessary discussions with adjacent states on water topics. The legislative management shall designate the chairman of the committee. The committee shall operate according to the statutes and procedure governing the operation of other legislative management interim committees.

2. Any request anticipated to be submitted to the state water commission or to the next legislative assembly for which the state cost-share is estimated to be ten million dollars or more must be reported to the water topics overview committee before May thirty-first of each even-numbered year. The committee shall review the request and make a recommendation on the prioritization of the project for consideration by the next legislative assembly. A copy of the committee's report concerning a new water project request must be provided to the appropriations committees of the legislative assembly.

3. The committee may solicit draft measures and proposals from interested persons during the interim between legislative sessions, and also may study measures and proposals referred to the committee by the legislative assembly or the legislative management.

4. If a water project requesting state funds of ten million dollars or more is introduced in either house without a report from the committee, the committee shall consider and report its recommendation regarding the project. A copy of the committee's report concerning the new water project request must be provided to the appropriations committees of the legislative assembly.

5. The committee shall work collaboratively with the state water commission and may meet with the state water commission.

6. The committee shall report on the committee's project prioritization process, provide updates on allocated program expenditures, and report on the fund balances of projects, grants, and contracts.

7. The committee shall report the findings and recommendations of the committee, along with any necessary legislation, to the legislative management and to the legislative assembly.