BISMARCK, N.D. (KFGO-AM) A Republican lawmaker whose district is in North Dakota's top oil-producing regions wants to expand the state Industrial Commission from three members to five.
The commission oversees the state Department of Mineral Resources, North Dakota's oil and gas regulatory agency. Besides Governor Jack Dalrymple, its other members are Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring and Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem.
Representative Keith Kempenich is pushing legislation to add the head of the Public Service Commission and the state tax commissioner to the panel. He says the additional members could provide more input on financial impacts of energy production and the regulation of pipeline infrastructure.
The House Political Subdivisions Committee is slated to hear testimony on the bill Thursday.