Senate Majority Leader David Hogue, R-Minot, announces a new interim Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Committee at the Capitol on June 25, 2026. Also pictured are, from left, Rep. Todd Porter, R-Mandan, Rep. Mike Nathe, R-Bismarck, Rep. Jonathan Warrey, R-Casselton, former North Dakota University System Chancellor Mark Haggerott, and Sen. Mike Wobbema, R-Valley City. (Photo by Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)
BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) — The new committee tasked with studying artificial intelligence and data centers ahead of North Dakota’s 2027 legislative session has released the agenda for its first meeting.
The inaugural meeting of the committee is scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday in Bismarck.
The committee will hear presentations on how other states and the federal government are regulating AI, how AI differs from traditional computing and the existing use of AI in North Dakota state government agencies.
The day will end with a presentation on the relationship between the data center industry and the energy sector. Tony Clark, a former public service commissioner in North Dakota and the current executive director of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, will brief lawmakers on this topic. Clark is also a member of the committee.
Links to the presentations typically are added to the online agenda in the 24 hours before the start of a legislative committee meeting.
Clark and former North Dakota University System Chancellor Mark Hagerott, who has expertise in AI, will join 10 lawmakers on the committee. It is chaired by Rep. Jonathan Warrey, a Republican from Casselton.
The committee was formed at the end of June in order to equip legislators with a foundation of knowledge on AI and data centers before the Legislature considers policy changes when it convenes in January.
Warrey has previously said the committee will meet three to five times before the session and that some of the meetings may be field trips held in other parts of the state.
The committee scheduled 45 minutes for comments from the public at 11:15 a.m. A livestream will be available through the legislative website.
Comments