Relating to the creation of the division of apprenticeship within the department of labor and human rights; to provide an appropriation; and to provide a report.
Relating to eliminating foreclosure of tax liens for residential property and collection of delinquent real property and special assessment taxes; to amend and reenact sections 40‑25‑03, 57‑02‑08.9, 57‑02‑08.10, 57‑20‑26, and 57‑22‑22, subsection 1 of section 57‑38.3‑02, sections 57‑45‑12, 61‑01‑21, 61‑09‑15, 61‑16.1‑31, 61‑24.8‑40, and 61‑35‑87, relating to the primary residence credit, setoff of income tax refunds for payment of delinquent real property and special assessment taxes, and eliminating foreclosure of tax liens for primary residential property; to provide an effective date; to provide an expiration date; and to declare an emergency.
HB 1523 appropriates $500,000 from the state's strategic investment fund to provide grants for ski resort infrastructure repairs in North Dakota. The bill directly affects ski resorts needing to fix damage from snow/rain, deferred maintenance, or replace equipment, but requires them to secure dollar-for-dollar matching funds from nonstate sources. Grants can cover building repairs, infrastructure improvements, and equipment purchases during the 2025-2027 biennium. This is a one-time funding measure with no additional requirements beyond the matching funds condition.
SB 2030 allocates $10 million to North Dakota's Housing Finance Agency for homeless grants and $50,000 for a homelessness study during the 2025-2027 biennium. It also provides $1 million to the Department of Public Instruction for homelessness liaison services in the state's ten largest school districts, requiring each district to match state funds dollar-for-dollar. Additionally, the bill transfers $200 million to the Housing Incentive Fund and mandates a legislative study on homelessness to identify funding gaps and solutions. These provisions directly affect homeless individuals, school districts, and state agencies managing housing and education services.
SB 2331 establishes a working group to manage wild horses in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, directly affecting park operations, local tourism, and conservation efforts. The group must maintain the wild horse population above 200 through nonlethal methods (like birth control or relocation), promote horse-related tourism, and submit annual reports to lawmakers. It requires a $50,000 state appropriation for the 2025-2027 biennium to support these activities. The bill mandates quarterly meetings and collaboration with the National Park Service, focusing on concrete management and tourism strategies without specifying outcomes.
HB 1581 allocates $500,000 from North Dakota's general fund to the Department of Commerce for tribal tourism grants during the 2025-2027 biennium. It directly affects tribal governments within North Dakota, allowing them to apply for grants of up to $100,000 each to promote and enhance tourism opportunities on tribal lands. The bill provides a funding mechanism through existing state resources, not new programs, to support tribal economic development. This appropriation requires the Department of Commerce to administer the grants and submit a legislative management report on their use.
Relating to department of commerce grant reporting requirements; to amend and reenact subsection 1 of section 10‑30.5‑02, sections 54‑60‑09, 54‑60‑19, 54‑60‑28, 54‑60‑29, 54‑60‑29.1, and 54‑60‑31 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the purpose of the North Dakota development fund, duties and talent strategy of the division of workforce development, the uncrewed aircraft systems program, the uncrewed aircraft systems program fund, the beyond visual line of sight uncrewed aircraft system program, and changing the name of the office of legal immigration to the global talent office; to authorize a Bank of North Dakota line of credit; to provide for a transfer; to provide an application; to provide an exemption; and to provide for a legislative management report.
HB 1557 proposed a one-time appropriation of $221,993 from the state water commissioner fund to reimburse North Dakota residents for legal fees incurred in watershed lawsuits heard by the North Dakota Supreme Court. The funding would cover the biennium starting July 1, 2025, specifically targeting residents facing litigation over watershed issues. The bill aimed to provide direct financial relief for individuals bearing legal costs in these specific court cases. However, the bill failed to pass on second reading in the legislature on February 4, 2025, with only 6 votes in favor and 85 against.
HB 1438 appropriates $1.1 million from North Dakota's general fund for a historic theater restoration grant program administered by the state historical society. The program provides grants to organizations restoring historic theaters located in cities with populations exceeding 100,000, requiring recipients to secure matching funds from nonstate sources on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Funding is available for the biennium starting July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2027, and is designated as one-time funding. This bill directly affects eligible theater restoration organizations in qualifying cities through targeted grant support for preservation efforts.
SB 2009 provides state funding to cover the operating expenses of the North Dakota State Fair Association. It removes an existing law (section 4.1-45-22.1 of the North Dakota Century Code) that previously governed how the state fair's facility maintenance and operations costs were paid. The bill replaces this with a direct appropriation, meaning the state will now directly fund these costs through a new budget allocation. The bill also declares an emergency, requiring immediate implementation to prevent operational disruptions to the state fair.
