The House Appropriations Committee convened on January 10, 2025, to discuss budget allocations, with a significant focus on the issue of surveillance drones reportedly operated by China over North Dakota. The meeting began with a review of proposed funding, including a contentious $15 million request aimed at addressing concerns related to these drones.

During the discussions, a committee member questioned the necessity of the $15 million allocation, suggesting that a reduced budget of $11 million could suffice for the state's needs without specifically targeting the Chinese drones. The representative emphasized that the state could proceed with its plans without the additional funding aimed at countering the drone surveillance.

In response, officials acknowledged that while the funding for the drones was not essential for the state's operations, it presented an opportunity for enhanced security measures. The dialogue highlighted a lack of clarity regarding the specific intelligence that these drones might gather, with officials admitting they could not definitively state what information was being collected. They noted that potential data could range from imagery to audio recordings, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding the implications of drone surveillance.

The meeting concluded without a definitive resolution on the funding request, leaving open the possibility for further discussions in future sessions. The committee's deliberations reflect ongoing concerns about national security and the implications of foreign surveillance in the region.