BISMARCK – A bill that would have initiated a legislative study on the environmental and public health risks of oil and chemical spills on state highways within the Fort Berthold Reservation did not advance out of the North Dakota House, but bill sponsor Rep. Lisa Finley-Deville, D-Mandaree, says she remains committed to raising awareness of the issue.

House Bill 1611, which failed 62-24, had proposed collaboration between the North Dakota Legislative Management, the Three Affiliated Tribes, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and the Department of Health and Human Services. Its goal was to ensure better understanding and preparedness regarding the potential impacts of spills in a region that sees significant industrial transport activity.

In a news release, Finley-DeVille said members of the House Agriculture Committee, which took testimony on the bill, had concerns that similar studies might already exist. She said she sought verification through a Freedom of Information request to the DEQ. The agency responded it does not conduct risk assessments but rather focuses on spill response and cleanup.

Additionally, a researcher from North Dakota State University confirmed that the university’s prior work was limited to the Tioga oil spill and did not address broader spill risks on Fort Berthold reservation highways.

“This study was meant to open the door for collaboration and a data-informed approach to environmental safety,” Finley-DeVille said in the release. “It’s important that we base policy decisions on current, site-specific information, especially in communities that face direct exposure to these risks.”

The proposed interim study would have helped identify gaps, assess long-term health and environmental outcomes and provide actionable recommendations to the 70th Legislative Assembly, she said.

“Although HB 1611 did not move forward, I remain committed to bringing awareness and attention to these issues,” Finley-Deville added. “There is still important work to do to ensure the health and well-being of all communities impacted by energy development.”