North Dakota lawmakers to look at land access issues after failed 'trespass bill'

One shard remains of the so-called "trespass bill" that sought to ease issues over hunting access on private land.

Though the bill failed on North Dakota lawmakers' last day in session, a twin of its study remained intact in the budget for the Information Technology Department. Lawmakers will take up the required study likely beginning this summer, looking at issues related to land access for recommendations before the 2021 legislative session.

Legislative Management, a powerful interim committee of lawmakers, will meet next week to consider the study outlines before them, including 15 required and 50 that are optional to take up. Interim committees will be finalized in June.

Sen. Robert Erbele, R-Lehr, brought the "trespass bill" in hopes to connect landowners and hunters. The bill morphed considerably over the course of the session, but at its core presumed all private land as closed to access but for hunting.

Read more: https://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/north-dakota-lawmakers-to-look-at-land-access-issues-after/article_d1b6f80c-d1d6-50dc-b131-09b9653945b5.html#tracking-source=home-top-story-1