AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 20.1-02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to educational and community outreach programs established by the game and fish department.
Summary
HB 1174 authorizes the North Dakota Game and Fish Department to establish educational and community outreach programs. The stated purpose of those programs is to increase public understanding of fisheries and wildlife management and to encourage interest in careers with the department and related fields. The bill gives the department discretion to design the programs and to decide who may participate.
The bill specifically allows participation to include hands-on experiences such as job shadowing, field activities, and ride-alongs. It does not mandate that the department create any particular program, but it creates clear statutory authority for the department to do so under chapter 20.1-02 of the North Dakota Century Code. In practical terms, it expands the department’s express authority to conduct outreach and career-development activities.
The bill passed both chambers unanimously, with a 87-0 vote in the House and a 44-0 vote in the Senate. No committee transcripts were provided, and there is no indication of significant opposition during floor consideration. The voting record suggests broad bipartisan support and little controversy.
Because the bill is permissive rather than regulatory, its legal impact is limited to authorizing new outreach efforts and clarifying the department’s role in public education and recruitment. It affects the Game and Fish Department, prospective participants in outreach programs, and individuals interested in wildlife, fisheries, conservation, and natural-resource careers.
Impact
HB 1174 amends North Dakota law by creating a new section in chapter 20.1-02 that expressly permits the Game and Fish Department to establish educational and community outreach programs. The department may use these programs to promote public understanding of fisheries and wildlife management and to encourage careers in department-related fields, including through job shadowing, field activities, and ride-alongs. The bill does not impose new duties or restrictions on the public; it primarily expands and clarifies agency authority.
Sentiment
The overall sentiment around HB 1174 appears strongly positive and noncontroversial. It passed the House and Senate unanimously, indicating broad support for the department’s outreach and workforce-development efforts. The absence of recorded committee debate or dissent suggests the bill was viewed as a straightforward, low-conflict measure.
Contention
No notable points of contention are evident in the available record. The bill’s discretionary language gives the Game and Fish Department flexibility to determine program design and eligibility, but there is no sign that this raised objections. The unanimous votes in both chambers indicate that any potential concerns about scope, costs, or participant eligibility did not become significant issues in the legislative process.